Sibley Pool Open During Expected Heat Wave

The National Weather Service is calling for a forecast that features three straight days of 90-degree or above temperatures, beginning Tuesday. As a reminder, Sibley Pool in the Women’s Building is open for recreational swimming, with the following hours this week:

Monday-Wednesday: 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Monday-Friday: noon-2 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Sunday: 1-3 p.m.

A valid SU ID card is needed for entry. Visit http://recreationservices.syr.edu for all Recreation Services facilities hours during the summer.

Please review the following information on heat illnesses and overexposure to the sun, provided by Syracuse University Health Services:

What is heat illness?

When you get warm, your body sweats to cool itself. As it gets warmer, your body must sweat more. As the sweat on your body evaporates, your body gets cooler. If the weather is hot and also humid, your sweat can’t evaporate very well. So, as the humidity goes up, your body doesn’t cool off as well. This means that your body’s internal temperature begins to rise. When you can’t sweat enough to cool your body, you might get a heat illness. Heat illness may cause you to feel tired, to have muscles that are weak, tired or cramping, and to have dizziness, nausea, vomiting or headache. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunstroke are different heat illnesses; they occur when your body isn’t able to keep itself cool enough.

How can I avoid getting a heat illness?

To decrease your risk of heat illness, follow these tips:
• Drink plenty of water before, during and after any outdoor activity.
• Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Take frequent rest breaks while outdoors in hot weather.
• Avoid direct sunlight and stay in the shade when you can.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, open-weave clothes.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
• NEVER leave anyone—a person or animal—in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Try to schedule activities or workouts early in the morning or late in the evening. Avoid heavy outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., when the sun is hottest.

What should I do if I feel sick in the heat?

If you get symptoms of heat illness, such as cramps, nausea, headache or vomiting, take off as much clothing as possible and wet yourself with cool or lukewarm water. Drink some fluids. Stay in the shade or in air conditioning. You should seek medical assistance immediately if you become confused, vomit frequently, stop sweating or stop urinating.

Take into consideration your safety, and your friends’, colleagues’ or fellow employees’ safety as it relates to heat illnesses. If you are concerned that you or they may be experiencing a heat-related illness, call 443-9005 to consult with SU Health Services staff, or if you are experiencing an acute heat-related illness, contact emergency medical support at 443-2224.

For emergency assistance on campus, call 711 from any campus phone, or 443-2224; off campus or from a cell phone, call 911.

For additional information on other heat-related illnesses and prevention, visit the New York State Department of Health site at http://www.nyhealth.gov/publications/1243/.