Most of Florida under heat advisory, with heat index climbing up to 112. Tips to stay safe

Almost all of Florida is under a heat advisory today, with the heat index predicted to reach up to 112 across some portions of the Sunshine State.

If you're trying to beat the heat over the holiday weekend by heading to the beach, be careful.

Dangerous rip currents and life-threatening surf are expected along the entire Gulf Coast as swells from Hurricane Beryl arrive.

➤ Track Hurricane Beryl

Here's what you should know about the latest advisories and how to stay safe.

Watches, warnings issued across Florida

Heat index and temperature map for Florida

Expect dangerous rip currents along Florida West Coast, Panhandle

A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of water that flows out from the beach. It can move at up to 8 feet per second, according to NOAA.

To escape from a rip current, do not try to swim directly back to shore.

Rip currents are the No. 1 weather-related killer along the norther Gulf Coast, killing 213 people in 2023, according to the National Weather Service, Mobile.

Swim parallel to the shore until you're free of the rip current and then back to land.

What do beach warning flags mean?

What is a heat advisory?

A heat advisory is one of several types of health alerts issued by the National Weather Service. A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.

In Florida, except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would issue a heat advisory if the heat index is expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees. The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for an advisory for its population, which was set at 105 degrees.

If a heat advisory is issued, take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don't take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.

What other types of heat warnings does NWS issue?

The National Weather Service issues several types of heat-related advisories, including:

• Excessive heat warning: An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. If you don't take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.
• Excessive heat watch: Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.

Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: How to tell the difference

When your body can't cool itself, your body temperature rises. If it goes too high, it can be life-threatening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnessesand what you should do.

Heat cramps

Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

• Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and heavy sweating.
• First aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
• Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.

Heat exhaustion

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
• First aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.

• Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
• First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal.
• Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures.
• Do not give fluids.