Sunday, May 19, 2024
From left, Chris Coffman (Granbury city manager) and his friend, Gary Free, show their catch from last weekend on Lake Whitney.
Out on the lake all day fishing a tournament, in the heat at work or participating in other outdoor activities in this brutal Texas heat can cause overheating of your body. Too much heat stress can lead to a heat illness that is the body's way of saying it can't take the heat. Here is some information on three types of heat stress. Each type may require a different action. You should seek medical attention if there is any doubt of the seriousness of the stress.
There are three kinds of heat illness – heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. They can occur separately or in combination.
Loss of body salts can lead to heat cramps, or painful muscle spasms. The arms, legs and abdomen are usually affected first, but any muscles used when working are susceptible. Heat cramps strike those who sweat profusely and drink a lot of water but fail to replace electrolytes lost through sweating.
To treat a person with heat cramps, press firmly with your hands on the cramped muscle or gently massage them to relieve the spasm. Those with other medical conditions should see a doctor.
When body fluids get low, heat exhaustion can set in. Heat exhaustion develops when the body loses more fluid through sweating than it is taking in. A victim of heat exhaustion sweats profusely but becomes extremely weak or giddy. In more serious cases, the person may vomit or faint. The skin becomes clammy and the complexion pale.
To treat a victim of heat exhaustion, have the person sip water for about an hour while lying down. Loosen any clothing and raise their feet 8-12 inches. Then apply cool, wet cloths and fan the person. If vomiting occurs, discontinue fluids and take the person to a hospital where an IV can be started.
Heatstroke happens when sweating stops. Heatstroke occurs when the body's heat-regulating system breaks down under stress and sweating stops. There may be little warning, and unless the victim receives quick treatment, death can occur. A heat-stroke victim usually has red or spotted skin, and the body temperature can reach 105 degrees F or higher. The victim may also suffer from confusion, convulsions or delirium before losing consciousness. Unless the victim receives treatment, death can occur.
If you think someone is having heatstroke, call for professional help immediately and move the person to a cool place. Then thoroughly soak the person's clothing with cool water. If you are at home and this occurs, place the victim in a tub of cold water (do not add ice). When the victim's temperature has dropped, dry them off. If body temperature rises again, repeat the process.
Beat the heat. Keep cool and drink plenty of fluids. Use your sunscreen and reapply often. If someone you’re with starts experiencing any of these heat related symptoms discussed above, take action immediately. Take the time to take precautions and have a great time in the sun.
FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures are rising with temperatures currently in the upper 70s to low 80s. Best action is the sand bass fishing on Lake Granbury. Good sandies are being caught from Blue Water Shores to near City Beach. Channel, blues and yellows are good on many areas of the lake on cut shad and are best at night. Small striped bass are abundant, but most are below legal size. Some good striped bass can be caught on live bait from Decordova to Blue Water Shores. Black bass are good in numbers with some bigger fish to 6-7 pounds being caught on soft plastics and crankbaits. Look for the active fish to move to areas where boat traffic is less, or they may move to deeper water midday.
Lake Whitney limits continue to be reported on most days on live shad. Early is best most days from the State Park to Cedron Creek. Possum Kingdom striped bass is boasting some big fish from the dam to Hell’s Gate.
