The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)

Safety 1996 Archive.

October/November.

SAFETY REPORT.
     This month I'm writing on preventative medicine for your safety. No, I'm not a Doctor, nor have I gone to medical school, but I'm sure I will not be censured for passing on this advice. DRINK lots of water.
     Tachycardia, and possibly other breathing problems, can be caused by lack of sufficient water.
     This information was told to me by a Doctor. When you are in high altitude and rockhounding or engaged in any other exercise, you can have a shortage of oxygen due to your exertion and the rarefied (or lessened) density of oxygen in the atmosphere. This can cause some dehydration. Our heart beats faster to provide more oxygen. Your blood thickens due to dehydration and cannot carry as much oxygen as it should. Your heart speeds up to provide more oxygen, and as it speeds up it becomes too fast to provide enough oxygen to your system. Result: excessive speed of your heartbeat, or tachycardia.
     If this happens, get to a hospital or Doctor as soon as possible. Don't drink hard liquor, as it also promotes dehydration.

CONCLUSION: Drink lots of water and reduce the possibility of this happening to you.
          Joe Hafeli,
          CFMS Newsletter October 1996.

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