Dangerous heat ruined my day at the state fair

[Adam_W]

The Indiana state fair has always been one of my favourite things to do in the summer, so I was looking forward to a nice afternoon at the fair. It's been VERY hot for the last week or so (mid 90's F.), but I figured I could just take more rest stops in the shade than I usually do. WRONG! I had barely been there an hour when I started feeling overheated. I figured I'd just go sit in the shade for a while, than I'd be fine. Before I really even know what hit me, I suddenly got very nauseous and I collapsed. Several bystanders used their little paper fans to help keep air blowing on me, and they flagged down a cop and some first aid workers. They loaded me onto the "ambulance" which was just a large golf cart, and I spent the next hour or so in the fairgrounds infirmary recovering. As soon as I was released, I went straight home. I was very frustrated, because I've been really looking forward to the fair this year. It continues to run though next weekend, so what I may do is go later in the week at night (the fair is usually open until at least midnight), when there is no sun out. It's still fairly hot around here at night, but my main problem today was the sun. I'm just glad there were all those people around, and none of them looked the other way when they saw me collapsed on the ground next to a cattle barn. There are definitely some good and caring people in the world.

Adam

[Sluff]

If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen.. Just kidding Adam

I'm glad people stepped up to the plate and helped you out. Hope you feel better.

[Ohio Buckeye]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience Adam.
That must have been really disappointing.
I'm glad people came to your aid also.
I do hope you get to go back in the evening or maybe it will cool down.
Makes me remember a day I passed out cold at Geauga Lake here in Ohio.
Woke up in medical room and they took me to little country hospital.
Gave us passes to come back another day.  We hadn't been there long.
Years ago but I still remember it clearly.
Ohio State Fair closed today and it has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to hot here for a fair.
Walking around on pavement gets extremely hot.
Hope you are feeling beter now.

[paris]

I grew up going to the Ohio State Fair.  North Carolina has their fair in October. It seemed strange the first time I went, but it is nice to have it in cooler weather.   I am sorry Adam that your day went so bad. This heat wave is really taking a toll on everyone. Stay cool and take care of yourself.

[Zach]

Adam W,

In this heat, try to leave a little fluid on, so you don't get dehydrated.  You'd be surprised at how much you can sweat in this heat.

These days when I go out for a while, I take with me a liter bottle of water--half of which is frozen.  That keeps me somewhat cooler, and I also look out for the Italian Ice guy.  Every few blocks another scoop of lemon ice!

When you go back to the Fair, look for the stalls selling shaved ice or slushies--and enjoy!! Don't worry about the extra fluid, either you'll sweat it off or you can crank up the 'ol Nx Stage the next time you dialyze.

 

[Ohio Buckeye]

October for a fair? that would be nice.
But isn't school going on then?
How do the kids stay with their animals, etc. during school season?
I grew up going to Ohio State fair also.  always went on opening day.
what good memories.

[st789]

Hope u feel better and able to return to the fair.  Good to know there are still many people out there will lend hands when needed.

[Joe Paul]

That sucks Adam, thank God some people still do care. Feel better soon and go have fun!!

[thegrammalady]

sorry you had a problem. even though we have fluid restrictions we need to be aware that we can still become dehydrated. the answer isn't just to try to stay in the shade but to drink a bit more water than we normally would.

[Amanda From OZ]

Sorry to hear what happend at the fair. That suckeD! I hope you feel better soon and can go back to the fair. 

[tamara]

That fair is unfair !

[paris]

The school kids get off for "fair days".  Still think the Ohio State Fair is the best ever. Where else do you see a cow sculpted from butter?    Zach, good advice about the ices and also reminding how much fluid we lose from sweating.  I was getting muscle cramps last night and after reading your post, I realized I had been out alot yesterday and was dripping with sweat. This heat wave is a killer.

[MyssAnne]

Man, Adam! What a difference from last year! Last year the State Fair was almost rained out, remember how wet it was?  And now this. I am very happy you were helped though. I have found that people there are just so nice!!  DO go back, either in the evening, or do as others have said, and just go ahead and drink all you can. Or at least have some ices!!!

[glitter]

sorry your day was ruined, hoefully when you go at night it will be better. We live in Florida and my husband spends all day outside in the heat- he does have to drink gatorade, but he drinks as much as he wants, and he has no kidneys at all. he sweats that much in the heat.

[Sluff]

So did you go back? Good thing you weren't waiting to get on a ride, no one would have helped you because they would just be glad the line was shorter.

[Adam_W]

So did you go back? Good thing you weren't waiting to get on a ride, no one would have helped you because they would just be glad the line was shorter.

Good point there, Sluff. The midway is always such a chaotic place, so I usually stay clear (even though I do like thrill rides, but I mainly ride large roller coasters instead of carnival/fair rides). I'm planning to go back Wed. evening after the sun goes down. Most of the exhibits are open till at least 10 pm, and the fair itself is open till 11 pm, so I'll have a "fair" amount of time to spend there.

Adam

[angela515]

I hope you get to enjoy the fair. I absolutely love state fairs and just went to mine Sunday. I was there from 10:30am until 7pm and the heat index was 102, I was kind of worried at the end of the day b/c I drank a lot of fluids but I only peed one time that whole time at the fair... my parents said I probably sweated so much that's why... I agree b/c since then I'm back to peeing alot of times a day again... whew.

Anyways... I hope you enjoy it this next visit and not get so overheated.

[goofynina]

Ugh, all this talk about fairs is making me want a corndog and some lemonade and our small fair (ok, you can call it a carnival)   isnt coming until Sept.  Guess i'll have to go to the mall and get me one from Dog on a Stick (i think thats what its called)     I do hope you did go back and had a good time Adam 

[Adam_W]

Well, I was able to go back to the fair, and I didn't really have any trouble with the heat. I did go later in the day, and I made sure that I drank plenty of water. I ended up drinking almost two litres of water in about three hours, but I ended up sweating so much, when I weighed myself when I got home I was only .4 kilos over my dryweight. I'm very relieved that I was able to go back because I didn't want my annual trip to the fair to end up being just a tour of the first aid building.

Adam

[Sluff]

Well, I was able to go back to the fair, and I didn't really have any trouble with the heat. I did go later in the day, and I made sure that I drank plenty of water. I ended up drinking almost two litres of water in about three hours, but I ended up sweating so much, when I weighed myself when I got home I was only .4 kilos over my dryweight. I'm very relieved that I was able to go back because I didn't want my annual trip to the fair to end up being just a tour of the first aid building.

Adam

Good for you Adam. You even behaved well with your fluid intake.   

[Zach]

Have a lemon ice on me!

[angela515]

 

[okarol]

Stay cool!

[Ohio Buckeye]

Hope you got to the fair Adam and had a great time.