PHOENIX (AP) — The scorching heat never intimidated me.
Over the past 23 years, I’ve been a photographer for The Associated Press, capturing moments at golf tournaments, baseball games, and various outdoor sporting events. Along the way, I’ve also documented the city’s escalating homeless population, immigration issues, and crime scenes.
But above all, I have faced the relentless heat that Phoenix is known for.
Around here, mentioning temperatures in the teens automatically assumes adding a one before the number, a common understanding among the locals.
However, this summer’s heat wave has been unparalleled and has shattered previous records. It’s been nearly impossible to endure these extreme conditions without regular and adequate cool-downs, despite consuming copious amounts of water and Gatorade.
The scorching heat has taken a toll on all my gadgets, from my phone to my cameras, causing continuous glitches and malfunctions. Even my car’s air conditioning struggles to keep up with the oppressive heat.
To gauge just how hot it gets inside my car, I have a thermometer that was once used to measure chemical temperatures in a darkroom. When the air conditioner is off, the temperature inside far surpasses the outdoor heat, often reaching a staggering 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.6 degrees Celsius).
Lately, the heat has soared well beyond that, causing the thermometer’s needle to exceed its maximum limit, going far beyond any recognizable numbers.
On the morning of July 10, I dedicated over three hours to capturing outdoor life through my photographs. Dealing with the harsh heat conditions is always a challenge, especially because sensible individuals tend to avoid being outside during such extreme temperatures. However, as a committed photojournalist, I pushed forward.
By the time I returned home, I was utterly exhausted. Nevertheless, I mustered the strength to head out again the following day, braving yet another scorching day with temperatures surpassing 110 Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius).
During one point of my photography session, my camera abruptly stopped working due to the overwhelming heat. I had to cool it down inside the car, but even then, it was too hot to handle comfortably, burning my hand.
On July 12, my assignment led me to a cooling shelter for homeless people, and I captured images of a man in his tent at The Zone, a downtown area dotted with tents. The streets, paved with black asphalt, emanated intense heat, making the entire experience incredibly sweltering. I was sweating profusely, with sweat dripping off me like a basketball player during an intense game. To cope with this, I always carry a towel to wipe off the sweat and prevent it from obstructing my viewfinder.
However, on this occasion, I noticed something alarming – I wasn’t sweating anymore. My body had reached its limit and had no more water to give. Strangely, my legs began to feel chilled, followed by painful cramps. It was a clear sign that I needed to remove myself from the relentless heat immediately.
However, I didn’t pay much attention to my condition. That night, as the temperatures remained uncomfortably high, I slept restlessly and woke up with a headache.
By Friday, July 14, the toll of the relentless heat became apparent as I felt extremely lethargic and simply wanted the work week to be over. I had reached my limit with covering the heat.
On Saturday, I finally took some time to rest and resigned myself to the reality of living in Arizona, accepting that extreme heat is an inherent part of the region.
Following the weekend, I had a scheduled dermatology appointment on Tuesday to remove a spot of basal cell carcinoma, which has unfortunately become somewhat routine for me after years of working in Arizona’s scorching sun.
Coincidentally, that day, Phoenix broke its record for the longest streak of temperatures above 110 Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius), marking the 19th consecutive day of such extreme heat.
During my appointment, the medical staff were deeply concerned about my overall condition. They measured my blood pressure, and it read an alarming 178/120. Shockingly, upon hearing this, my blood pressure spiked even further to 200/120. The nurse immediately suggested calling an ambulance to rush me to the emergency room, fearing that I might be at risk of a heart attack.
It’s indeed quite surprising, and looking back, it almost seems funny that I initially brushed off the symptoms as mere tiredness from work.
After deciding to see my doctor on Wednesday, I received the diagnosis of heat exhaustion. As a precaution, I underwent blood work the following day to ensure everything was normal. However, due to lingering dehydration, they couldn’t draw blood from my arms, so they had to do it through my hands, which was an unpleasant experience.
Fortunately, the good news is that I’m now doing fine. I took the next two days to rest indoors, and by Friday, my blood pressure had returned to a healthier level, measuring 128/72.
Moving forward, I’m going to be much more cautious until this intense heat wave subsides. My fellow photographer, Ross Franklin, and I have devised a plan to stay safe during extreme heat. We will limit our outdoor shooting sessions to 30 to 40 minutes at a time before taking breaks to cool down. We’re also keeping chilled, damp towels in a cooler in our cars and carrying two to three times more water and Gatorade than we usually would. Taking these precautions should help us stay better protected and hydrated while continuing to work in these challenging conditions.
It’s great to hear that you and your fellow photographer, Ross Franklin, are taking your safety seriously and have implemented several precautions to cope with the extreme heat conditions.
Storing your cameras in a separate cooler with plastic ice packs is a smart move to prevent overheating and potential damage. Having extra dry towels to manage sweat and sending your images from inside a cooled building rather than from your cars will certainly help you avoid unnecessary heat exposure.
The most crucial aspect of your plan is the commitment to call it quits if either of you feels unwell. Your health and well-being should always take priority, and it’s essential not to take any chances when it comes to extreme heat. Pushing through discomfort may be acceptable in some situations, but dealing with excessive heat is undoubtedly too risky.
By adopting these safety measures and being prepared to stop if conditions become too much to handle, you are making responsible choices that will keep you both safe during this challenging time. Stay vigilant and take care!