Weather conditions, physical exertion and time spent in remote areas are among the conditions that make hunting season rewarding, yet these same factors can make a medical emergency more dangerous when every minute matters. Understanding the warning signs of heart attack and stroke and knowing how to respond, can help hunters act quickly if symptoms occur, according to the American Heart Association (heart.org).
As hunters across Nebraska prepare for the season, planning should include more than equipment and safety gear. Understanding personal health risks and knowing how to get help can be just as important when spending long hours outdoors. In rural settings where EMS responses can be delayed and minutes matter, it’s important for hunters to be ready to respond in a cardiac or stroke emergency.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack, such as chest discomfort, discomfort elsewhere in the upper body, shortness of breath or other possible signs such as a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but others begin slowly with mild pain or discomfort.
Recognize warning signs of stroke with B.E. F.A.S.T.: B = Balance loss; E = Eye (or vision) changes; F = Face drooping; A = Arm weakness; S = Speech difficulty; T = Time to call 911.
Learning Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, before a hunting trip can help someone respond if a member of the hunting party experiences cardiac arrest.
For information about heart attack and stroke warning signs, Hands-Only CPR and ways to support cardiovascular health, visit heart.org and stroke.org.