Stay Safe in the Heat
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What you will learn
- 1Plan a hot-day outing to avoid the hottest hours
- 2Choose clothing, shade and water habits for the heat
- 3Recognize the warning signs that the heat is becoming a problem
- 4Explain why you tell an adult at once when someone shows a warning sign
Mini Lesson
A hot day in the wild can be fun, but heat can make the body struggle. You already know to look for shade and keep cool. In Grade 5 you learn to plan ahead for the heat and to spot the warning signs early. Spotting a problem early and telling your grown-up is one of the most useful things you can do.
🌿 The Wild Way (plan for the heat)
- GO EARLY OR LATE: plan the walk for the cooler morning or evening, and rest during the hottest part of the day.
- PLAN YOUR SHADE: pick a route with trees or rocks for shade, and plan stops in the shade.
- DRINK OFTEN: take small drinks of water often, before you feel thirsty. Your grown-up plans how much water to carry.
- REST OFTEN: slow down on climbs and take regular breaks. A slower pace keeps you cooler.
- DRESS FOR HEAT: wear light, loose clothing in pale colors and a hat that shades your face and neck.
🌿 The Wild Way (know the warning signs)
- FEELING DIZZY: the ground seems to spin or you feel wobbly when you stand.
- A HEADACHE: your head starts to hurt or throb in the heat.
- FEELING SICK: your tummy feels bad or you feel like you might throw up.
- VERY TIRED OR SWEATY: you feel much more tired or weak than you should, or you sweat very heavily.
- VERY HOT SKIN: very hot, red skin, especially with muddled thinking, can mean heat stroke - an emergency.
- TELL AT ONCE: if you or anyone in the group has a warning sign, tell your grown-up right away - don’t wait.
If anyone feels dizzy, has a headache, feels sick, is very tired or has very hot skin, stop and tell an adult at once. The adult is in charge: they move the person into the shade to rest and keep them calm. If the person gets worse or seems confused, the adult calls your local emergency number. Never keep walking to "push through" the heat.
Words to know
heat
High temperature that can make the body struggle.
e.g. We rested in the shade during the midday heat.
shade
A cooler place blocked from direct sun.
e.g. We planned our stops in the shade of tall trees.
pace
How fast you walk or move.
e.g. A slow pace keeps you cooler on a climb.
dizzy
Feeling wobbly, as if things are spinning.
e.g. Mia felt dizzy, so she told her grown-up at once.
warning sign
A clue from your body that something is wrong.
e.g. A headache in the heat is a warning sign.
emergency
A serious problem that needs help right away.
e.g. In an emergency, the adult calls your local emergency number.
🧠 Survivor’s Trick: agree on a "buddy check" with your group - every rest stop, each person says how they feel in one word. It makes warning signs easy to spot early.
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