Experts warn about heat stroke, other health emergencies amid Arizona hiker deaths

A man died while hiking the Spur Cross Trailhead Mountain in Arizona during extreme heat on Monday, and another hiker died during a multiday trip in the Grand Canyon over Labor Day weekend.

Evan Dishion, 32, was hiking near Cave Creek when he and five other hikers suffered from heat emergencies, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

They were rescued from the trail Monday afternoon. Dishion was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. At about 4:30 p.m., the Scottsdale Fire Department, who initially said the hiker was in his 20s, said he died.

The hikers got lost on the trail and ran out of water, the Fire Department said. Temperatures were above 100 degrees in the area at the time. 

“It is important to plan your hike, hike the plan, bring plenty of water, and know how to identify heat exhaustion,” the Fire Department said in a statement. 

A hiker in the Grand Canyon also died over Labor Day weekend, prompting Grand Canyon National Park to warn visitors to prepare for “excessively hot days in the coming weeks.”

Delphine Martinez, 59, of Window Rock, Arizona, was on a backpacking trip when she was disoriented and lost consciousness Sunday along Thunder River Trail. Trip members tried to resuscitate her to no avail, USA TODAY reported.

Her death is being investigated by the National Park Service and Coconino County (Ariz.) Medical Examiner. 

‘A double-whammy on your fanny’:Why you’re paying more for toilet paper — and getting less

Cancer cases up in adults 50 and under:Western diet, sedentary lifestyle likely factors in global rise in cancer

Hot weather 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 cool or moist skin, according to the Fire Department.
• Heat strokes can cause elevated temperatures, confusion, irrational behavior, dry or hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse, seizures and unconsciousness.

In those situations, the Fire Department suggested to do the following:

• Get the person into shade or to a cool location.
• Cool person with cool, wet cloths in the neck, groin, armpits and head, and fan the body.
• If the person is alert, have them sip cool water.
• For muscle cramps, massage muscles gently, but firmly, until relaxed.
• If symptoms worsen, call 911.

The Fire Department advised not giving anything by mouth if the person is vomiting, unable to swallow or unconscious. They also asked people to not underestimate the seriousness of a heat emergency.

To prepare for hiking or working out in the heat, the Fire Department suggested these tips:

• Know your limitations.
• Hydrate and begin doing the day prior to hiking or exercising and an hour before. Continue hydrating during and after a hike.
• Wear proper clothing including lightweight and light colored clothes, something to protect your head and proper shoes.
• Always carry a cell phone.
• It is best to hike with company.
• Always tell someone where you are hiking and when you plan to return.