A Guide To Safety At Theme Parks

(CBS)  When you're on a theme park vacation, you probably try to pack in as much as humanly possible. You might be overexerting yourself, however, and this could lead to a number of injuries, such as heat exhaustion.

On Friday's The Early Show at the Universal Studios Island of Adventure in Orlando, Fla., Dr. Dale Birenbaum of the Florida Hospital talked about ways that you should protect yourself from common health problems that face people at theme parks.

Birenbaum stressed the importance of being vigilant while you are in the sun all day. He said, "(Theme park goers) are not conscientious and careful in taking in enough water and tend to get overheated. If they have underlying medical conditions, they can get ill from that."

People with certain conditions such as pregnancy, high blood pressure or diabetes need to be extra cautious. Those people should avoid rides that start and stop quickly and suddenly. Birenbaum emphasized the need to read the warning signs outside of rides and to follow common sense.

Swallow your pride if you aren't feeling well. If you find yourself suffering from chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or dizziness, you shouldn't try to tough it out. At parks like the ones in Orlando, every employee has a walkie-talkie to get immediate help from EMS on the grounds. Don't hesitate. The EMT's can do a quick initial medical assessment.

Prior to arrival at a theme park, pack your medication and use them as directed. "If you are taking medications already," Birenbaum said, "it is important to follow your doctor's instructions."

Take some sort of medical history with you, as well as your doctor's contact information as you walk around the park. "If you come into the emergency department and you are feeling ill, I can't always tell how you are feeling. If you have some things written down, it really provides beneficial information to help me treat you and it could save your life," Birenbaum said.

Other tips include carrying a bottle of water with you around the theme park to stay hydrated. You should also wear lighter clothing. Darker clothes will make you much hotter.