Corrections & clarifications: An earlier version of this story misspelled the hiker’s last name. It’s Dishon.
The man who died after hiking the Spur Cross Trailhead in Cave Creek during extreme heat Monday has been identified by police as 32-year-old Evan Dishion, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Dishion was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after he and five other hikers suffering from heatstroke were rescued from the trail Monday afternoon. At about 4:30 p.m., the Scottsdale Fire Department, which initially said the hiker was in his 20s, said he died.
Six hikers had become lost on the trail and had run out of water, the Fire Department said. Temperatures at the time were over 100 degrees in the area.
“It’s important to plan your hike, plan, bring plenty of water and know how to identify heat exhaustion,” the Fire Department said in a statement.
Weather:Phoenix will experience excessive heat, but will cool off by the end of the week
Safety tips for hikers
In an email, the Scottsdale Fire Department explained the different types of heat emergencies and the symptoms they can cause:
- Heat cramps can cause profuse sweating, fatigue, extreme thirst, and muscle cramps.
- Heat exhaustion can cause headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea or vomiting and cold or clammy skin, according to the Fire Department.
- Heatstroke can cause elevated temperatures, confusion, irrational behavior, dry or hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, weak rapid pulse, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
In these situations, the Firefighter suggested doing the following:
- Place the person in the shade or in a cool place.
- Cool the person with cool, wet cloths on the neck, groin, armpits and head, and ventilate the body.
- If the person is alert, give them fresh water to drink.
- For muscle cramps, massage the muscles gently but firmly until they relax.
- If symptoms worsen, call 911.
The Fire Department advised not to give anything by mouth if the person is vomiting, unable to swallow or unconscious. They also urged people not to underestimate the seriousness of a heat emergency.
To prepare for hiking or exercising in the heat, the Fire Department suggested these tips:
- Know your limitations.
- Moisturize and start doing the day before your hike or workout and an hour before. Continue to hydrate during and after a hike.
- Wear appropriate clothing including light and light colored clothing, something to protect your head and appropriate footwear.
- Always carry a cell phone.
- It is better to walk with company.
- Always tell someone where you are walking and when you plan to return.
Contact breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at [email protected] or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP.
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