Scary experience in the heat today

[ms.yt]

I do a little photography as a hobby-business, and today I had a family scheduled at 6 p.m. When we scheduled this appointment 2 weeks ago, we knew it would be hot, but we didn't know it would be the hottest day of the year and the hottest in the history of our area. At 6 p.m. the temperature on my phone and my van both said 104 degrees. After only about 15 minutes, something happened. I suddenly felt dizzy and weak, and I knew I needed to get out of the heat. I told the family I needed a break, and began walking the 30 feet or so to my van. As I was walking, I felt as close as I've felt to passing out. I had black spots in my vision and honestly felt like I just barely made it to the van. I got in and cranked up the air and reclined the seat. After a couple of minutes, I was able to get back out and tell the family we had to move indoors to finish the session. For a couple of hours later, I still had a headache, but it eventually went away.

I hope to never experience that feeling again. I have a wedding to shoot Saturday afternoon, and I'm going to be sure to have a lot of fluids before hand. I think maybe that was part of my problem today. It was certainly scary.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Definately load up on the water before wedding shoots. They make for long days and little breaks for beverage or potty. I don't think I drink anything from the time I get there until after the reception formals are done.

I probably would have tried to reschedule that family today. Triple digits is a little high to have my gear out!

 

[sparklynails23]

If they mainly wanted outside shots, I think you should offer a re-shoot. Sounds like you might not have been at your best, anyway.

 

[jackemail]

It's terrible down here right now, and next week looks to be more of the same. Stay in as much as possible, and drink plenty of water. Make sure to check on family and friends, especially the elderly. We've had 9 heat-related deaths in Memphis, thus far.

 

[mhsjax]

I think you were dehydrated, it happens to my kids sometimes. Drink lots before you go outside this should help. Also they have something called frog togs, you can get them in sporting good stores and on line, they are fantastic. They are cloth like material, you wet them and they stay cold for quite a while. My hubby does photography for sports sometimes and he puts them around his neck.

the heat is so dangerous, this is why IMHO I think people that go to WDW in this heat have lost their minds. I just can't handle it and I see so many people get sick from the heat.

 

[MickeySP]

Not just water, I would take a couple Gatorades or Powerades. Sweating like that also lowers your electrolytes.

 

[ms.yt]

If they mainly wanted outside shots, I think you should offer a re-shoot. Sounds like you might not have been at your best, anyway.

I already offered. They said they would be fine with anything because they hadn't done family pictures since their first son was born and now they have another son and a daughter. I'd love to reshoot them in cooler weather, but I doubt they will take me up on it.

 

[RitaZ.]

Prepare a small cooler with ice and fill it with bottles of water and Gatorade to take with you. Make sure that you're well hydrated before going out.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Why not offer up some lovely fall pictures?? Everybody loves fall leaves!!!

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

Take care of yourself, this heat is nothing to mess around with!
Definatly take a cooler loaded with ice and gatoraide type drinks plus water.
you can take a bandana and put ice in the middle and wrap it up and tie it around your neck where the ice is on the back of your neck.
take breaks from the heat every 30 minutes or more often, the wedding party will understand, they don't want to pass out either!