Officials warn Coachella Fest visitors to stay hydrated

“The heat is so intense. yes, I’m from Africa, but it’s not this hot from where I came from,” said Rasheed Adeleke, who is visiting from South Africa.

The desert heat is taking visitors by surprise.

“It just feels so boiling and it’s scorchy,” said Ian Alberg, who is visiting from Seattle.

Shawn Arden, an engineer paramedic with the Palm Springs Fire Department said dehydration can take effect within minutes.

“It will happen faster than most people think it will,” Arden said.

Some signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion includes dizziness, tiredness, extreme thirst, and confusion.

“If you’re excessively hot, a cool rag around the back of the neck and over the top of your head to cool you down. If you’re really, really warm, cool rags around your armpits and wipe down with a cool rag to kind of help that cooling process for your body,” Arden said.

If you’re spending time outdoors, use sunscreen, wear sunglasses, try to wear a hat.