Death in the Arizona Desert

Newspaper reports commonly chronicle the death of those who venture out into the Arizona deserts unprepared. This tragedy is common among illegal aliens trying to cross the border. Through July 31, 2011, 132 deaths from exposure and dehydration had been recorded in the deserts south of Tucson, almost all certainly illegal aliens. But this danger is not limited illegal aliens, anyone venturing unprepared into the desert in the summer can quickly succumb to the heat.

From Wikipedia:

Symptoms may include headaches similar to what is experienced during a hangover, a sudden episode of visual snow, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), and dizziness or fainting when standing up due to orthostatic hypotension. Untreated dehydration generally results in delirium, unconsciousness, swelling of the tongue and, in extreme cases, death.

In the desert, symptoms can start appearing within a very short time, even a matter of an hour or less depending on the hydration of the individual.

It seems like we regularly hear of a winter visitors to the low deserts who drive out into the desert, only to have some sort-of mechanical or tire failure and die from dehydration before they can be found and rescued. Headlines such as "European tourists die of heat stroke in the desert" are not uncommon although this particular article refers to an incident in California.

The answer to the question is rather simple. Stay out of the desert in the summer (or anytime actually) unless you have adequate water, more than a gallon a day per person, and always leave your estimated time of return with a responsible person. Do not leave your car unless you have a specific destination and can physically make it that far. Never hike during the heat of the day, hike in the evening, at night or during the early morning. If you hike at night, only do so if you have a very clear idea where and what direction you are going and know how to navigate and walk at night. If you do leave your car, leave a note telling the direction you left and the time you left. Remember, a gallon of water weighs eight pounds.