As a heat wave sweeps through the south bringing with it abnormally high temperatures for the season, the South Carolina EMS Association is warning residents to take proper precautions to protect themselves from the heat. According to reports from EMS professionals, in 2024 they responded to nearly 4,400 heat-related emergencies, many of which they state could’ve have been prevented with early action and hydration. They advise that residents should learn to recognize early warning signs of heat related illness, and take steps before symptoms become life-threatening. โDehydration is often the first sign that the body is under stress,โ said SCEMSA Education Director Austin Mandeville in a prepared statement. โWithout enough fluids, it becomes harder to regulate temperature. Thatโs when we start seeing heat exhaustion and, in the worst cases, heat stroke.โ
