CRISIS: YOUR TEMPERATURE IS … 102.8! STEVE SANFORD In a pandemic, an elevated temperature needs to be taken seriously, right away. _SAVE YOURSELF (AND OTHERS)_ Even if you think it's

just the flu and not COVID-19, here's what to do. Call your doctor or the emergency department at your local hospital. "Anyone over 50 who has a fever of 102 or higher should get

it checked out,” advises emergency department doctor Leigh Vinocur, national spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. If you're over 65, take it even more

seriously: Average temperature in younger people is 98.2, but over age 65 it's a full degree lower — 97.2. There are many reasons, including reduced lung function and less fat under the

arrive. Separate yourself from others. If the doctor sends you home, plant yourself in a sickroom and use a separate bathroom. Even then, wear a face mask if you have one — and if it

doesn't hamper your breathing — to lower the chance of germs spreading. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. CRISIS:

YOU'RE ALONE WITH FOOD LODGED IN YOUR THROAT BRENT HUMPHREYS Roughly 5,000 people die from choking each year, and more than half are older than 74, according to the National Safety

Council. _SAVE YOURSELF_ * DON'T PANIC. If you can, take slow breaths and call 911. Even if you cannot speak, the dispatcher should be able to recognize an emergency and send EMTs to

your location. * COUGH FORCEFULLY. If something is lodged in your throat, continue to cough vigorously to clear the object. * PERFORM THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER ON YOURSELF. If you can't

cough it out and you can't breathe, make a fist, press it under your rib cage above your navel, grasp it with the other hand and pull sharply in and upward, Vinocur says. Do it six or

10 times quickly. Not working? “Fall onto the edge of a lower chair or couch to give it a good force to expel the food,” Vinocur says. “There are risks to that, like breaking a rib, but if

you're really turning blue, you've got to do whatever you can to dislodge the obstruction." CRISIS: YOUR HUSBAND COLLAPSED WHILE WORKING IN THE SUN! STEVE SANFORD As we age,

our bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature. We don't sweat as much, and we tend to drink less water than younger people. That puts us at greater risk of heat illness in

summertime. Drink plenty of water before going outside, and eat a banana — it's rich in potassium, which helps regulate body fluid. _SAVE YOUR LOVED ONES_ Heat illness can be a

life-threatening problem that arrives in stages. If you detect heat stroke, call 911. * HEAT CRAMPS. Muscle cramps suggest dehydration. Move the victim into the shade and give him some

water, even if he's not thirsty, Kerwin says. “Cramps mean their electrolytes are down, so give them Gatorade cut with water, since sports drinks tend to be high in sugar,” he says. *

HEAT EXHAUSTION. "Profuse sweating is a big indicator of heat exhaustion, and this is serious,” Kerwin warns. Get him into a cooler place and take his hat off, then untuck and unbutton

his shirt and sleeves to allow cool air to push his temperature down. “Have him sip water, not guzzle it; you want to avoid vomiting.” * HEATSTROKE. A lack of sweating, bright red skin, a

flushed face, lethargy and slurring are all symptoms of heatstroke. This is a serious emergency. Call 911. “Apply cool compresses to the groin and armpits to lower core temp,” Kerwin says.

“Don't immerse the body in cold water, which can shock the heart out of rhythm." CRISIS: I'VE LOST THE TRAIL AND IT'S GETTING DARK. Losing your way, even on a day hike,

is pretty common: There are an average of 11 search-and-rescue situations every day, according to the National Park Service. _SAVE YOURSELF_ If you find yourself lost in the woods, follow

the STOP guidelines: * STOP. As soon as you realize you may be lost, stop, stay calm, stay put. Do not walk aimlessly. * THINK. Go over in your mind how you got to where you are. What trail

markers should you be able to see? * OBSERVE. Get out your compass (you should have one loaded on your smartphone) and determine the directions based on where you are standing. Don't

plod aimlessly ahead. Consider backtracking, but only if you have a specific reason to take a step. * PLAN: “Most of the time the best move is to stay put, because searchers will more likely

find you,” Hawke says. Moving just a mile increases the search area to three square miles. "Your priorities for survival are shelter, water, food, fire.” If you already have enough

water or if you're cold and wet, shelter and then fire may be more immediately important. People can succumb to hypothermia even at temperatures over 60 degrees in wet, windy

conditions. The body loses heat 25 times faster in cold water. BE PREPARED Even if going on a day hike, leave a plan with someone that includes: * Start and return date and time. * Location

of trailhead and names of trails, turnaround points and GPS coordinates. * Names of people in your party. * Gear you are bringing and the amount of food and water you have with you. *

Description of clothing individuals are wearing. * Photo of the bottom of your hiking boot for footprint pattern. * Your “in an emergency” plan.