McDermott on AETN Film Airing Tonight About Heat Illness

Photo Submitted

Brendon McDermott during filming of "108 Degrees: Critical Response."

Brendon McDermott, University of Arkansas assistant professor of exercise science, will appear in “108 Degrees: Critical Response” at 7 p.m. today on the Arkansas Educational Television Network.

The hourlong film provides information about preventing and treating heat illness and includes the stories of three Arkansas families, two of whom lost a son to heat illness suffered during high school football practice and a third whose son survived.

McDermott describes the physiology of heat illness, the conditions that lead to it, how the body reacts when stricken, and what coaches, emergency medical technicians, athletic trainers and parents need to know to prevent and treat it. McDermott, who is also a certified athletic trainer, conducts research on heat and hydration.

A live event with a panel discussion and phone bank will follow the statewide broadcast. McDermott will answer questions on the panel, along with several other people who appear in the film. Dean Weber, who formerly supervised the athletic training operations for Razorback men’s sports teams for 35 years, was also interviewed for the film and will be on the panel.