Feeling the heat more than usual? You’re not alone. After SCI, your body may struggle to sweat or regulate temperature, putting you at risk for serious issues like heat stroke and autonomic dysreflexia. If you’re joining one of SCI BC’s summer events, don’t worry—we’ll have water, fans, and cooling supplies on hand. And to help you prepare, we’ve gathered peer-approved tips to help you stay comfortable and cool all summer long.
Olivia: Always carry some kind of liquid with you. Every morning, I fill my blender bottle and add a Nuun electrolyte tablet. I also like sole water, which is water that’s saturated in Himalayan rock salts. You put the rock salt in a jar of water. The water is fully saturated when some salt remains and is not completely dissolved. I usually put about a teaspoon of that in my drink every morning. The salt content helps with my low blood pressure too.
Check out Olivia’s videos, including How to Stay Cool & Hydrated This Summer at youtube.com/@QuadLife101.
Rob: When I play tennis in hot conditions, I put an ice pack between my thighs (having the ice pack near the femoral artery helps to cool the circulating blood). I always make sure to cool down immediately once I get indoors, whether that’s with a cold shower or lying down in bed with ice packs.
Peter: A couple years ago, I participated in a research study and tried a cooling device called the RANVOO AICE 3. It’s worn around the neck and blows cool air on the blood vessels leading to the brain. I was skeptical, but it is remarkably effective! It also has a heat mode and is nice to use in colder weather.
Jocelyn: (1) Ryobi bucket misting fans are really good, as long as you have an easy way to refill the buckets. But they can be hard to find mid-summer! For people with less hand function who don’t sweat and need to spray themselves for evaporative cooling, pressure garden sprayer bottles can be easier to use!
Tyler recommends the (2) POWERFIST 1-1/2 Litre Multi-Purpose Handheld Sprayer (Princess Auto).
Olivia likes the (3) VIVOSUN 0.5Gal Handheld Garden Sprayer with Safety Valve and Adjustable Nozzle (Amazon).
