A man was rescued from the oppressive heat of one of the nation’s hottest national parks after the skin melted off his feet. Rangers in Death Valley National Park said the 42-year-old Belgian tourist suffered third degree burns when he lost his flip-flops in the sand dunes. Rangers said the ground temperature would have been much hotter than the air temperature, which was around 123º F. His family called authorities for help, and other visitors helped them carry the tourist to the parking lot. Rangers ended up having to drive the man to a higher elevation because it was so hot in the parking lot that it was dangerous for a helicopter to land. Mercy Air landed in the higher elevation, where the temperature was a cooler 109º, before transporting the injured man to University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Park rangers gave some advice to those interested in visiting Death Valley during the summer:
• Stay within a 10-minute walk of a vehicle with air-conditioning.
• Don’t hike after 10 a.m.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat salty snacks to counteract sweating and prevent dehydration.
• Wear sunscreen and a hat.
• DO NOT WEAR FLIP-FLOPS.
