The first symptom of heat stroke is feeling unwell in hot weather. Stop what you re doing, get out of the sun and cool off. Prevention is the main issue. Sunburn has been called the most dangerous common complication of outdoor activity, according to Thompson. Three sunburns involving blistering, prior to age 15 or 20, more than doubles the risk of melanoma.
Malignant melanoma is very difficult to treat.
The greater the exposure and the younger the age at time of exposure leads to higher risk. People who tan regularly, work outside regularly and work in areas of high altitude are all at risk. Another common misconception is that hypothermia is solely a winter malady. Hypothermia and exposure happen more in the summer than in the winter because people don t expect it. He advises people new to hiking to talk to employees of mountaineering supply stores, trail stewards or guide outfitters about proper clothing and gear in the area they plan to go before leaving the parking lot.