While outdoors, what steps should you take to prevent heat exhaustion?

Drinking plenty of water is essential in preventing heat exhaustion, especially during outdoor activities. When you engage in physical exertion in hot weather, your body loses fluids through sweat. Staying hydrated helps maintain your body's temperature regulation and prevents the symptoms associated with heat exhaustion, which can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and confusion. Adequate hydration is crucial as it replaces the lost fluids and helps your body cool itself.

While taking frequent breaks and monitoring your clothing are also important aspects of heat management, they do not address the immediate need for hydration, which is a primary factor in preventing heat-related illnesses. Hydration is the foundation of heat illness prevention, making it the most crucial step to take when you're outdoors in warm conditions.