Why some scientists think extreme heat could be the reason people keep disappearing in Greece

12 comments

1. “You don’t say!”

2. Because the temperatures are kinda high over there, they don’t know their physical limits and they’re self-centered idiots who aren’t willing to adapt their vacation plans to the weather?

3. I think it’s more that people from humid climates interpret sweaty skin as a sign that it is hot, but you don’t get sweaty skin in Greece’s bone-dry air, so they don’t realize how dehydrated they are until it’s too late. You’re just losing water like crazy, like a liter per hour.

4. Some years before I was on vacation in Rhodes. I did not leave area of the Hotel mostly. I Spent all my vacation between bed and pool.

   I was in the sea once and it was not worth it going trough hell to get to the sea.

   I was in the City of Rhodes once and on the southern point where Aegean and Mediteranean seas meet.

   I have very little memories from that place. The weather was hellish. When I went back to my country I was so happy to see the rain. It was like a blessing.

5. Get this team some funding. They’re onto something.

6. The case I followed closely at least in the start and it made me quite an impression was the case about the UK doctor and presenter. He went to an hour long walk midday, in a day that a heat warning was published, without cell phone or water, to rocky hills with no paths or shadow (we call them “unwalked” in greek, απάτητα) or informing anyone and he had a heart attack I think. 

   I am sure that there are many similar cases or accidents. Many tourists don’t know what many of us learned through experience, even since the 90’s when I was little and before this wide public discussion about the climate change. I have read that even during the ’80’s and even before we had deadly heats, though not as often and not as widespread as they are today, always in the end of July and August as I recall. I remember those as RULES, that as a child I often disobeyed and I sometimes suffered from painful sunburn: 

   Water consistently, use sunscreen and no oils (apply every 4 h all day and before / after swimming, the sunburn is worst inside the water, and in the face a special sunscreen, always read the instructions), sunglasses, hats, definitely not exercise or heavy work outside , umbrellas in the beach, not heavy eating (wait for the evening) but fruits that hydrate and juices, always be near children to save them and in the point you are all standing when you are with children. While swimming yourself never go far away from ppl, swim horizontally and always check if you are disoriented, never swim tired and after eating or overestimate your abilities, little by little every day and many others I don’t remember now.

   If you want a “sunny” darker skin, taking into account the danger of skin cancer especially to Northern Europeans, you can sunbathe until 11-12 and after 5-6 o’clock. At the same time apply plenty and often a sunscreen, don’t fall asleep and every few days you can use a lower skin protection to have the desirable effect – but never oils. Be careful with the children in the sun, always hats, water, sunscreen for children and don’t leave them in the bare sun while playing during midday etc

   Try to be even more careful during the 11-7 hours and while swimming imo.

7. in Italy every year TV and newspapers have some medical expert discussing how to deal with heat waves.

   “don’t go out in the hottest hours, drink a lot of liquids and eat fruit and vegetables”.

   It’s a meme and we make fun of them cause it’s so obvious.

   Turns out it’s not.

8. nobody likes 50° I think

9. People addicted to AC realizing they’re not adapted to heat anymore.

   I’m not saying I would like 50°C either. Just that, being used to heatwaves, I have a variety of reflexes and understanding of how my body works under intense heat. So I would never go hike at noon for instance. While someone who grew too used to AC environments don’t know their limits anymore, and realize them a bit too late

   For instance you’ll never see someone with experience of farm work during summer disappear in Greece as easily as that. You’ll find them sleeping in a shaded place with optimal natural air circulation.

10. Instructions unclear: *slaps on some olive oil all over* “time for a midday nap in the sun I think!”

11. My brain starts melting when it’s 30+ degrees outside, if it got over 40 I’d probably combust and disappear too.

12. Without wanting to insult anyone, people usually pay because of their foolish actions and complete lack of common sense. People who last exercised when the cold war was still on decide to go for hikes alone (a big no no) midday during a heatwave with no phones and in places that aren’t exactly safe to hike. Then we are shocked that they end up hurt…