Inspired by the patron saint of Seattle queers, Saint Rat, and this quote by Julian K Jarboe

YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE TO HEATSTROKE.

PSYCH MEDS OFTEN MAKE YOU EXTRA HEAT SENSITIVE!!!!!

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IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GETTING HEATSICK:

-Seek shade!

-Remove your shoes, hat, and any other unnecessary garments. They trap heat!

-Drink water! Cold is best!

-Ice packs or damp towels should be placed at the back of the neck, in the armpits, and near the groin if possible.

-Once the dizziness has stabilized, try to consume electrolytes! Do not return to the heat for at least 12 hours!

IN THE EVENT OF HEATSTROKE:

-Seek shade immediately!!!

-Help the effected person sit down with their back against something.

-Instruct the effected individual to remove excess garments, and assist them if need be! Clothes trap heat!

-Provide the effected individual with cool water.

-DO NOT DUMP ICE COLD WATER ON SOMEONE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING HEATSTROKE. THIS MAY CAUSE SHOCK.

-Instead, place ice packs or damp towels at the back of the effected individuals neck, under their arms, and near their groin if possible.

-Seek medical assistance! If the effected individual is responsive, try to get them to an urgentcare, or take them to the ER. If they are slurring or unresponsive, CALL AN AMBULANCE.

-DO NOT RETURN TO THE HEAT FOR SEVERAL DAYS OR UNTIL MEDICALLY CLEARED.

I've been in Belegarth since 2017 (took a break because pandemic/grad school from 2020-2024), and I've recently taken on more responsibilities in my realm, my unit, and my community. Most of it has been volunteering my time, resources, and skills to help at events. I am the go-to food distributor for my companions at events; I successfully completed my self-imposed quest of cooking a meal over a fire last week at Armageddon. (I made a delicious Tuscan bean soup for everyone, and my Watch General made quesadillas to go with it.)

Meanwhile, I have noticed people in my extended circle either begin or complete their path to knighthood. In the time between WPO and Armageddon, my realm has gone from one knight and two squires to two knights and four squires. Not to mention that two of my realm/unit mates are both considering squireship after this event.

As a result, I'm also thinking about pursuing squireship. I came up with a plan that I'd spend the next year--from this past Armageddon until next Armageddon--improving my crafting, my volunteering, and my fighting, and revisit the topic at that time.

So I wanted to ask those of you who have pursued similar leadership roles in your various LARPs/communities how you decided you wanted to go about it. What were the factors you took into consideration before beginning? Was knighthood conferred upon you without planning (which is pretty rare in Belegarth)? Or would you have rather had a concrete idea of what you wanted before taking it on?