Post #117799 by Tiki-bot on Sun, Oct 3, 2004 12:48 PM

I got heatstroke at Burning Man in 2001. I'd heard about heatstroke and how dangerous it was, but never really gave it much thought. After a typical alcohol fueled night of partying (which was my enebriant of choice - many preferred other substances so as to avoid dehydration) I went to my tent to sleep. I awoke about 3 hours later and walked to the nearest bank of porta-potties. At first I thought I was just groggy from no sleep, but it soon became apparent I was having some serious trouble. I became extremely confused on the way back to my tent. I waved down a passing Nevada state official in a golf cart and when I tried to speak, I couldn't form any words. I just blubbered out some sounds. The uniformed officers ignored me and drove away, apparently thinking me some drug-tripping loon. I was not on any drugs, so I had no confort that this would eventually "wear-off". A serious panic hit me and my motor skills were fading as I began stumbling down the street. I could literally feel parts of my brain shutting down, and even more panic set in. My brain felt hyper-compartmentalized: I could feel a thought in one corner, but couldn't get it to the other part where words were formed. It was a very out-of-body experience, like I was watching it happen to someone else. I honestly thought, "So this is what dying feels like".

I stumbled into the Ranger camp next to ours where they knew me, and they immdiately called for a vehicle and took me to the medical tent. I ended up getting 4 liters of saline over the next couple hours, which revived me pretty well. I was still terrified I was dying and tears ran uncontrollably from my eyes the whole time. I was so freaked out afterwards I packed my stuff and went home that night.

Went back the next year, no problems and had a great time.