Defective ICE air conditioning What travelers can do

What can travelers do when the air conditioning on the ICE train fails.

(12.07.2010) There were dramatic scenes that must have taken place on Saturday and Sunday in the ICE trains. Those affected report dehydration, circulatory problems and burning heat. In trains prevailed in individual cars temperatures of over 50 degrees. Many travelers complained of shortness of breath and suffocated acute anxiety. Many passengers, including students in a school class, collapsed. An affected person told Heilpraxisnet, "In the meantime, I had the feeling that I can not breathe", so it must have happened to most travelers.

Especially in view of the current incidents in the ICE Series 2 based on defective air conditioning, it is appropriate to be informed about the consequences of too much heat on the human organism. Thorsten Fischer, non-medical practitioner from Hanover explains, inter alia, what affected people can do to prevent health damage in acute situations.

A constantly elevated ambient temperature can have consequences for the human organism when the big cooling system, sweating, reaches its limits. A heat creation usually comes as a result of heavy sweating. In addition to the strong fluid loss also electrolytes are flushed out, which may be missing the organism. It can cause nausea and vomiting, headache, flicker of the eyes, dizziness, loss of consciousness and unconsciousness.

Prolonged existence without countermeasures can lead to a heat collapse, in which the cycle of those affected collapses. It usually comes to a drop in blood pressure (hypovolemic shock) with unconsciousness.
Well known is the heat stroke. This is an overheating of the organism with cramps, impaired consciousness, massive fever, no sweating and a so-called cerebral edema. Heat collapse causes a short unconsciousness because of the heat in the environment, the blood vessels have expanded rapidly and so to speak the blood in the brain is missing.

Measures of acute overheating in ICE trains due to failure of the air conditioning.
Especially in overheated rooms with many people, as happened now in the ICE series 2, in which it should have come to temperatures around 40 degrees, it can come to the above-described complaints.
It is important to cool those affected (bring them to a cool, shady place without many other people, put wet damp and cold rags on their heads) and give them plenty to drink (water). Alcohol is absolutely to be avoided! In the event of unconsciousness, those affected should, as far as possible, move to a stable lateral position and immediate emergency medical care is indicated.

Travelers can sue for damages?
Compared to "Focus Online", the lawyer Roman Becker, who specializes in traffic law, said concerned travelers should submit their claims for damages promptly and in writing. The letter should be sent by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to Deutsche Bahn AG. The cover letter should include a copy of the medical certificate and a copy of the ticket. Above all, the medical certificate is important, because, as the specialist lawyer explains to "Focus", "Who demands compensation or compensation, must prove the damage he has suffered." (sb, tf)

Read on:
Dehydration in the ICE: A person reported
Excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis
Signs of internal dehydration (dehydration)

Picture: Andreas Morlok