Globally, heat-related death is a growing concern. The Lancet recently published a new report indicating that climate change will cause eightfold increase in deaths from extreme heat or cold by 20100.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists these numbers are alarming. It is predicted that temperatures will increase by at least doubling if we continue to emit greenhouse gases. It is also predicted that moderately aggressive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (a scenario called RCP4.5) could prevent more than half the expected deaths from extreme temperatures.
Deaths from Extreme Heat
Several studies have shown that extreme heat is the leading cause of premature deaths in the U.S. and that the number of excess deaths is growing, especially in southwestern and midwestern regions of the country.
These numbers are important because they can be used to motivate local governments to address heat related health concerns and to try to reduce deaths caused by extreme temperatures. However, the accuracy of these data is a concern. It can be difficult to determine if a death was caused by heat if it happened after someone has already died.
In order to estimate heat-related deaths, researchers have had to use a variety of methods. The researchers used data from daily temperature and county-level deaths to estimate the number heat-related deaths across several U.S. cities. These estimates vary from a few dozen to less then a thousand.
They have also compared the number of heat-related deaths in areas with different temperature ranges. This approach has yielded a much higher number of heat-related deaths in regions that are warmer than the average United States temperature range.
This estimate attempts to show a greater extent of the problem of excessive heat-related deaths on a national basis. This method uses a regression-based approach in order to calculate the number of deaths due to heat.
The analysis begins by identifying which counties have had excessive heat-related deaths in the past year. This is done using the International Classification of Diseases codes for the term heat. Finally, the researchers calculated the total excess deaths from heat and the overall death rate in the U.S. The attributable total is divided by the excess deaths per year to create a death rate. This indicator can be found here.
The results suggest that an average of 61812 heat-related deaths occur in the United States each year. These deaths can be classified by medical professionals to be heat-related or contribute to a death due to another cause. This includes all conditions including heart attacks, strokes, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and other serious illnesses. Hot weather increases the risk of developing these diseases, and those over 65 and non-Hispanic Blacks are at greater risk.
FAQ
What are the basic skills for survival in the wild?
If you live off the soil, you must learn how to build a fire. This is more than just lighting a flame. It requires you to learn friction and fluent methods of starting a fire. You also need to know how to avoid getting burned by the flames.
You need to know how shelter is built from natural materials such leaves, grasses and trees. You'll need to know how best to use these materials to stay warm at night. You should also know how much water your body needs to survive.
Other Survival Skills
Although they can help you survive, they are not as essential as knowing how to light an open fire. Even though you can eat many types of animals and plants you won’t be cooking them if the fire doesn’t start.
Additionally, you'll need to know the best places and methods to find food. You may become sick or die if this is not known.
How long does it take before you find help?
This depends on several variables:
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Where you are
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Which type of terrain are you in?
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It does not matter if you are able to receive cell phone service
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It doesn't matter if someone has seen you.
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No matter if you're hurt
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You are either dehydrated or not
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You have been drinking water?
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You can tell if you've eaten in the last 24 hours.
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It doesn't matter if you are wearing the right clothing
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It doesn't matter if you have a compass and a chart.
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Are you familiar with the area?
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How many years have passed since you lost your keys?
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How much time you spent looking for help
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How long does it take for people notice that you're missing?
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How quickly they decide to search for you
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How many rescuers have you attracted?
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How many rescues received you?
How to Navigate Without a Compass or With One
A compass is not able to tell you where your destination is, but it can help guide you back home if necessary.
Three different ways you can navigate are available:
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By landmarks
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Use a compass to find magnetic North
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By stars
Landmarks can be objects you recognize as soon as you see them. They include trees, buildings, rivers, etc. Landmarks provide visual clues to where you live.
Magnetic North simply indicates the direction in which Earth's magnetic field points. When you look up at the sky, you'll notice that the sun appears to be moving across the sky. However, the earth's magnetic field actually causes the sun to move around the earth. Although it appears that the sun is moving across the sky and around the horizon, it actually does so. At noon, the sun is directly overhead. The sun is directly beneath you at midnight. The earth's magnetic field is constantly changing, so the exact direction of the magnetic North pole changes every day. This could mean you can be off-course by quite a bit in one day.
Another method of navigation is to use stars. Stars appear over the horizon to rise and lower. These are fixed points in time that you can use for determining your location relative others.
What is your most valuable survival tool in case you get lost?
The compass is a tool that tells us where north is. It also shows how far we have traveled to get from our starting point. The compass will not always point you in the right direction if there are mountains nearby. If you are on a flat plain, however, the compass will most likely give you all you need.
You could also use a rock or a tree as a reference point if you don't own a compass. Even though you still need a landmark to help you orient yourself, it's a good idea to have one.
Statistics
- Not only does it kill up to 99.9% of all waterborne bacteria and parasites, but it will filter up to 1,000 liters of water without the use of chemicals. (hiconsumption.com)
- We know you're not always going to be 100% prepared for the situations that befall you, but you can still try and do your best to mitigate the worst circumstances by preparing for a number of contingencies. (hiconsumption.com)
- In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. (usgs.gov)
- Without one, your head and neck can radiate up to 40 percent of your body heat. (dec.ny.gov)
External Links
How To
How to Find Edible Animals and Plants during Emergencies
In emergency situations, edible plants and animals can be a vital food source. They should be included in your survival kit because they can provide nutrients and energy for you without access to normal foods. You may also use them to make medicines and cosmetics.
It is important to know the exact location of these plants and their preferred conditions, including climate, soil type, weather, and other factors. This knowledge will help you identify them quickly. It's not possible to know everything about every animal and plant species. Some general rules can be applied to all plants and animals.
If you see a animal or plant near water, you can assume they like moist soil. Shiny leaves indicate that the plant was recently watered. If there are ants around a plant it is likely that it provides nectar to pollinators. These simple observations can help you save valuable time when searching for useful plants or animals in an emergency situation.
Books written by experts in botany and Zoology can help you to learn more about edible animals and plants. You can also see documentaries and talk with people who live in rural communities. The steps below will help you learn about animals, plants, and other topics.
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Look for animals and plants that grow near water.
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Pay attention to the growth habits of animals and plants.
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Learn more about the natural habitats for animals and plants. You can search for areas with particular soil types, climates, or vegetation.
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Identify which parts of animals and plants you can eat.
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Learn how to cook animals and plants.
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Try to eat wild animals and plants so you are familiar with their taste.
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When collecting wild animals and plants, be careful. Do not pick from endangered species.
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All wild animals and plants should be properly stored. They must be kept out of direct sunlight.
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Always wash your hands after handling wild animals or plants.
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Before you eat fruits and vegetables, wash them.
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Don't consume raw meat or fish unless you're certain that it's safe.