Using Your Mobility Scooter Safely in the Summertime Heat

With summer getting in to full swing, the warm weather draws us to the great outdoors and your Quingo is ideal for those outings with family and friends that make life a joy. The fresh air is wonderful and the warmth and light lift our spirits.

Here are some handy hints on keeping safe while enjoying those beautiful summer days.

Frances Reffell from Bexhill on Sea East Sussex

Using a Quingo will help reduce the amount you exert yourself, but hot weather can bring with it the risk of overheating, particularly as we get older.

Hyperthermia is the generic name applied to an assortment of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke (which is especially dangerous and calls for immediate medical assistance).

Hyperthermia can be a problem at much lower temperatures than you may expect and you can be at risk of suffering a heat related illness due to your general health or lifestyle.

Things that may contribute to the risk of heat related illness are:

Consuming alcoholic drinks, as this can contribute to dehydration and affects judgment, making you less likely to notice the onset of heat related illness.

As we get older as well our circulation becomes poorer, our sweat glands are less efficient and our skin itself changes, all of which make it more difficult to keep cool.

High blood pressure will also mean you may have a specific diet, and those on salt restricted diets may be at risk, so consult your GP.

In addition to this many medications can inhibit perspiration, such as certain heart and blood pressure drugs, sedatives, tranquilizers and diuretics. However, it is vital that you keep up your medications, so a consultation with your Doctor may be a sound move.

Heart, lung and kidney diseases are also likely to cause issues in the heat, so take extra care if you suffer from any of these.

If you are carrying some extra weight you will also find it more difficult to keep cool so take this in to account.

So is it a good idea to go out on hot days?

It may seem like going out and enjoying the hot weather is a bad idea, but the benefits far outweigh any potential dangers as long as you adhere a few very simple rules and planning is key to enjoying the the summer without risk.

Always make sure your scooter is fully charged.

Before any trip out ensure you have a good idea of what the weather is going to be like.

Make sure you are dressed in the right kind of clothes, in hot weather natural fabrics like cotton are best and light and white colours will reflect the heat.

If it is likely there will be rain then a brolly or a light cagoule may be a wise addition, these will also be useful in the event of a thunderstorm but we advise seeking shelter in a car or building as quickly as you can. This probably doesn’t need saying but you should never shelter under a tree in a thunderstorm.

Try to visit places in off-peak hours to avoid large crowds that can lead to overheating.

Plan your trip so that there is somewhere close at hand where you can cool off if you need to, such as a shopping mall or supermarket.

Try to keep in the shade, you could carry a sunshade or parasol or wear a hat.

Make sure to keep yourself hydrated, so carry some water with you at all times, sugary drinks will not be as effective.

If you are going on your own make sure if you have a mobile phone you have added an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number, you can add more than one number so ICE 1, ICE 2 etc. and make sure phone is fully charged. Most mobile phones can install an app which allows a first responder, or member of the public assisting you, to instantly ring your emergency contact. These will allow for more that one number.

If you don’t have a mobile phone carry a small book with a contact in the front pages named ICE.

These contacts should be someone such as your next of kin, a family member or a close friend or neighbour that you would like the emergency services to contact in the event of an emergency.

What should symptoms you look out for?

The key things to look out for are headache, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, muscle cramps, heavy sweating, dizziness, a rapid pulse and cold and clammy skin can also be indicators.

If you are not sure then seek medical assistance immediately.

Diving a mobility scooter in extreme heat

Using a scooter on pleasant summer days and in the summer heat is nice.

Take a break and enjoy the beauty that nature offers you.

It is good to stay extra alert as an older person and to prevent the heat from playing tricks on you, because the elderly run additional risks.

Summer heat risks for the elderly

1. Are you elderly? Then the body no longer works as effectively. You may be less thirsty, the kidneys don’t work as well and your body doesn’t cool down as easily. This allows you to dry out faster due to the heat.

2. Because of your advanced age you can also suffer from heart and lung diseases, kidney and diabetes and diseases of the stomach and intestines, which can make you less able to withstand the heat;

3. Furthermore, drug use can sometimes lead to dehydration or make you less aware of whether you drink enough in a day.
These risks can then lead to more complaints at high summer temperatures. Some examples are: fatigue, dizziness, concentration problems and headache. In severe situations, dehydration can even cause cramps, nausea, exhaustion, or unconsciousness.

Fortunately, you can do a lot yourself to avoid being bothered by the heat. Especially when you are going on a cooling scooter ride. Some things you can take into account when driving a scooter in summer heat.

Tips for driving a scooter in summer heat

Avoid the brightest sun

In extreme hot weather, avoid riding outside in full sun between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Then rather look for the shade. Take time for lunch, relax or take a nap!

Choose a route through the forest

So are you going to drive a scooter in summer heat? Then choose a route through the forest anyway. The trees provide the necessary shade. Moreover, the heat that the asphalt gives off also bother you a lot less.

Pause regularly

Preferably drive short distances and then take a break. To replenish your moisture and eat something. Preferably choose energy-rich and moisture-rich foods such as bananas, apples, orange, cucumber pieces, a hand with nuts, raisins or a whole grain sandwich. This way you stay more energetic and more concentrated. Avoid sugary foods and drinks. They make you sleepy and thirsty.

Always wear a hat or cap

Protect yourself from the sun in summer heat while driving your scooter. Put on a sun cap or go for a nice hat to protect you. Make sure that the headgear is made of light and airy material and breathes well. For example, a hat or cap made of linen or cotton works well. Also, use good sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sunlight. That makes your scooter ride a lot more pleasant.

Do not wear synthetic clothes

Do not dress in (dark) synthetic material, because it does not breathe. Rather go for light colored cotton or linen that is cooler, breathes and absorbs sweat better. And also important: wear clothes that are comfortable.

Drink enough

Make sure you get enough fluids during the day. You need it to compensate for the extra sweating. So drink a glass of water regularly, take a cup of tea, a glass of fruit juice, a cup of broth and the like. Also important: do that in time. Because, if you drink insufficiently, it causes dehydration, reduced concentration and therefore also a decrease in your driving skills.

Bring a bottle of frozen water or an ice pack

If you are going to be using your scooter in hot conditions a bottle of frozen water or ice pack can come in handy.

You can use them to cool your hands and wrists. The best way to do this is to freeze a bottle of water/ice pack the night before you intend to set out. Wrap it in the morning with aluminum foil before leaving to keep the bottle/pack cool.

Avoid drinking alcohol

Heat makes the effects of alcohol much greater and you should drink very little, or preferably none at all. Alcohol removes moisture from your body and additionally reduces your responsiveness and therefore your driving skills.

Avoid overheating

Overheating is dangerous. So when you get thirsty, have a headache and/or feel sick, stop. Experiencing fatigue, muscle cramps, heavy sweating, dizziness, a rapid pulse and cold and clammy skin are also signs that you should stop. Find the shade and allow your body to rest and cool down! Remember to drink some water as well.

Use sunscreen

Protect your face, neck, arms, hands, etc. with a sunscreen with a high protection factor to avoid sunburn.

A breeze mixed with the sun can lead to wind burn, so take this in to account.

Download a first aid app

For example, put the Red Cross ‘s free first aid app on your smartphone. With this app you always have all first aid instructions in your pocket. In an emergency, the app also provides voice instructions, useful if you are unexpectedly feel unwell while driving your scooter in summer heat.

https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/first-aid-apps#app

Let someone you can trust know that you are going out

When you drive a scooter in hot conditions it is always good to inform someone that you are going out. Family, neighbours, (grand) children, friends. And… don’t forget to bring your mobile phone – charged of course.

Also put the number of the breakdown assistance in your smartphone in case of breakdown on the road.

Listen to your body

In high heat it is important to listen to your body and use your common sense.

Are you getting tired? Then stop to rest and have a drink.

Do you have any additional tips? Then share it via our Facebook page.