First Aid Trailer Helping Riverfesters Stay Cool - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) – The 30^th annual Riverfest kicked off at La Crosse's Riverside Park Tuesday.

Organizers said they were pleased with the turnout for the opening ceremony – in which a parade was held and an American flag was raised in honor of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Gundersen Lutheran Health System provided a first aid trailer to help keep those who attended cool.

Joe Irvin, who worked the trailer Tuesday, said it will be set up at the park for the duration of the fest.

He said it features water and cooling fans to help those who might feel the sudden symptoms of heat exhaustion.

"You might have a headache, you might have weakness, fatigue or muscle cramps," Irvin said. "You might feel like you're going to pass out and then you might actually pass out."

"Those are all signs and symptoms. You might also feel like you're heart rate is going fast and you might become nauseated as well," he added.  

Irvin said, typically, water and air conditioning are enough to rejuvenate someone suffering from the symptoms of heat exhaustion.

He said those at the trailer will call Tri State Ambulance for more serious, heat-related issues.