NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In spite of cooler than normal temperatures in Nashville, more people were treated on the first day of the 2012 CMA Music Festival than the first day of last year's event.
LifeFlight Event Medicine said they treated 163 people for heat-related illness on Thursday. Five of them were taken to area hospitals.
LifeFlight saw a record number of patients at last year's festival, and more than 25 of them were taken to area hospitals.
Officials have warned visitors to take necessary precautions while outside during the CMA Music Festival, and Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in nearby Manchester.
Emergency responders see hundreds of cases of heat exhaustion each year, which is caused by dehydration and is indicated by headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and extreme thirst.
It is important to get someone who may be suffering from heat exhaustion to a cool place out of direct sunlight, keep them wet with cool water or wet towels, and turn a fan on to help cool the body.
Official offered these additional tips to avoid heat exhaustion:
- Avoid intense outdoor activity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the hottest part of the day
- Rest frequently in the shade when outdoors
- Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing
- Cover up – wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen of 15 SPF or greater
- Drink water, even if you don't feel thirsty
- Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine
