Tips On Staying Cool- ish in this Historical Heat Wave - Vancouver!

Vancouver is on the edge of a continent. We're surrounded by glorious mountains, views and oceans.

Winters are mild never really dipping below -2 EVER!
Summers, being equally beautiful and mild, with normal highs being in the mid 20's sometimes late 20's but never really break that 30 mark.

Last year our winter dipped as low as -17. Unheard of!!! we're not prepared for this kind of weather and everyone knows, the folks in Vancouver can not drive in anything other than dry conditions.

This summer is breaking all sorts of records for BC, and Vancouver alike.
The airport is pretty much on the water or surrounded by it in Richmond and that is where our heat meter is measured from.

It's always cooler by the water, obviously, and warmer inland the further you go into the valley and mountains, the hotter it gets. The previous week has been no exception.

Our daily average high right now at the water is 31. that means inland its a scorching 36 or higher. My apartment thermostat actually broke its little casing holding the mercury in it (think really old buildings) cos it could no longer register the heat. Over 40 degree's in my apt. Although I'm sure the casing broke just cos its old and nothing to do with the heat.

This morning at 630am, it was 28 degrees!!! Who does that?! Seriously where do I live? Toronto? Oh no, cos they are having our summer (different air completely) and bitching about when summer is going to start.

The news has been issuing health warnings and how to take precautions etc...
Elderly, sickly, and obese people to stay indoors, (mostly cos their bodies do not cool the same way as those more fit)

Transit users - wear deodorant, bring lots of water, dress appropriately, cos NOT ONE SINGLE BUS OR TRAIN IS EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING!! no shit.

BC Health Authorities took reading from skytrains and buses and the average reading was a whopping 47 degrees on the bus with stagnant air and no a/c.
Taking transit on any day is never fun, especially if it breaks down... add extreme heat to that commute.. ugh. I'm surprised more people are not falling ill.

Some of you are are properly saying, "stop your moaning and bitching".... I would but we're really not acclimatized to this heat. We live on the coast for a reason. Its a wet heat and cold in the seasons, not like our eastern provinces that have tones of dry heavy air and smog.

Since I've moved out of my parents house eons ago, I've been an apartment dweller.
Vancouver doesn't install a/c as a mandatory thing as it does back east.

Here are some of my survival tips if you're unable to afford to go out and buy an air unit.

- Place a bucket of ice in front of a fan in every room. Not the crushed kind, the big party solid blocks of ice. each bag cost about $3

- Keep your tub full of cold water, helps cut the hot air.

- Keep a cold towel (wrung out) on your head, and one on your body when you sleep or anytime you feel you want to keep cool... aim a fan on you with the wet towel.... it seriously works.

- Obviously, keep hydrated, and eat lighter, smaller meals. Fruit, veggies, bread, easy to digest foods. (also helps avoid getting an upset stomach in the heat)

- If you have pets, make sure there is water/food in EVERY room, a wet/damp towel for them to lay on, or fill your tub 1/2 way, so they can hang out at the other end without drowning.

- And if all else fails and you're unable to tolerate the heat anymore, find a friend/family member with a/c and stay with them...
-rent a hotel room
-or if you have really awesome bosses at work, ask about putting together sleeping arrangements in the lunchroom or whatever large communal room that is cool. you'd be surprised how accommodating they can be.