The order of the day is to drink fluids and to encourage everyone you see – especially Scouts – to do the same.
Heat-related problems, almost all preventable with proper hydration, were present on Scout arrival day, and Jamboree Medical Services should expect that potential to remain, at least until Jamboree participants recognize how much water they should consume.
“On a treatment level, we should take advantage of our cooling tents and help Scouts, leaders and visitors stay hydrated. Of course, administering IV fluids is appropriate when needed, but helping people cool down and drink fluids are the first treatment steps,” said Dr. John Lea, Jamboree Chief Medical Officer.
Jamboree volunteers and participants received safety cards in their ID sleeves on their lanyards. One side is a lightning guide, and the other is a color-coded water intake guide.
“Read those cards – and refer to the Jamboree’s Heat and Hydration Management Plan for more detail as needed – to see how much water you should consume if conditions move from green, to yellow, to red, to black,” Dr. Lea said.
Wednesday was a green day most the day, meaning that the temperature was less than 85 and that everyone should have been consuming ¼ to ½ a quart per hour. However, status changed to yellow in the afternoon, indicating the need for more water consumption. NOTE: Fluids such as soft drinks are not included in this water consumption requirement.
There is a system of Jamboree flags indicating the current hydration color (it can change hour to hour), but how an individual feels and the level of physical activity are the real determining factors.
“Our goal is to help everyone at the Jamboree have a good time. No one should lose out on this opportunity just because of getting dehydrated,” Dr. Lea said.