Maya Schulder, a 16-year-old from Arizona, in Israel with her congregational youth group, died of dehydration on a hike June 15. News reports stated that the group lacked adequate water.
As is usually the case with such tragedies and near tragedies – e.g., the death of a new IDF recruit on an army tour shortly after induction, an African-American university student who collapsed and died climbing Masada, yeshivas and seminaries being forced to call for emergency evacuation while hiking in oppressive heat – the news came in the form of an email from Mark Newman of Great Neck, New York.
My relationship with Mark and his wife Ellen began last June when Mark sent me an email out of the blue people relating how Mishpacha readers are always telling him that we look exactly alike. I attempted to mollify him by pointing out that almost all formerly black-haired men of a certain age look alike, and suggesting that he should not take it to heart.
That jocular beginning, however, soon took a darker turn. Mark mentioned that the attached photo of him was somewhat out of date and that he had subsequently put on ten pounds "since I'm not very happy right now."
"Not very happy" proved to be a considerable understatement. Mark and his wife Ellen's son and only child, Ariel Yitzchak, died nearly two years ago while on a hike in the Judaean desert, shortly after arriving in Israel for his gap year.
Ariel Yitzchak was born after years of waiting and prayer, and they knew from the start that he would likely be their only child. Ellen quit a job that she very much enjoyed to be a full-time Mom. For Mark, Ariel Yitzchak became not only his son but his best friend. After his passing, Mark could not function or return to his senior position with the IRS for four months.
At the unveiling for Ariel Yitzchak, Mark did not spare the implications of his loss: "Without Ariel, there is no one ever again to call out to us "Mom" or "Abba." We will never have any grandchildren."
When Mark and Ellen first received a call from Hadassah Hospital that all was not well with Ariel, the first doctor they spoke to was a cardiologist. They assumed that Ariel must have had some undetected heart condition.
Only later did they learn that he died of exertional heat stroke (EHS). By the time, he was brought to the hospital by helicopter his internal temperature was over 109 degrees Fahrenheit. He had literally self-combusted.
What happened to Ariel was completely preventable – "not a tragedy," in Mark's words, "but an atrocity" caused by gross negligence.
Ellen immediately began reading everything available on exertional heat stroke. And she and Mark quickly realized that what happened to Ariel was completely preventable – "not a tragedy," in Mark's words, "but an atrocity" caused by gross negligence.
Every new death from exertional heat stroke or dehydration is a searing reminder for the Newman's of their loss – not that reminders are ever needed. In addition, it is a further spur to what has become their life mission – preventing future deaths like Ariel's.
Working together with Professor Yoram Epstein of the Sheba Medical Center and Dr. Douglas Casa of the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute, the Newmans have created Ariel's Checklist of ten points that every hiker and hike leader needs to know to prevent exertional EHS. (Korey Stringer was an all-pro NFL lineman, who collapsed and died, during training camp.)
Ariel's Checklist comes in a short form for hikers and a long-form for tour leaders and guides. Both are available here.
Some of the ten items on Ariel's Checklist seem obvious at first glance – e.g., ensure sufficient hydration and adequate rest stops, do not hike in the heat of the day – but even then readers might be shocked how much water and rest are required by inexperienced, frequently out-of-shape hikers, in high temperatures.
Nor is it enough for the hikers to be told to drink: Hikers themselves may not be aware that they are dehydrated until it is too late. In the majority of cases, EHS strikes without warning. The tour guide must personally see to it that hikers drink. And that means making sure that they have adequate water with them and that it is sufficiently cool to be drinkable.
Other items will be less familiar. For instance, lack of adequate sleep prior to a strenuous hike can dramatically affect the body's ability to regulate heat internally. And what teenagers travelling in a group, sleeping in sleeping bags or on uncomfortable cots, and under assault from mosquitos, ever get remotely adequate sleep? Clothes are also crucial. Hikers require hats and loose-fitting, absorbent clothing that "breathes" and allows sweat to evaporate efficiently. And a 14-day period of acclimatization is necessary before embarking on a long and strenuous hike.
The culture of the "hike" can be a matter of life and death. Not a few Israeli tour guides, especially those recently in the IDF, view their task as whipping "soft" Americans into shape. And young people, particularly males, are often too confident of their own strength and endurance or too eager to convey a "macho" image to signal their distress. Hikers must be schooled that they should immediately inform the hike leader if they feel unable to continue, and of the dangers of failing to do so. And hike leaders must be schooled that when a hiker pleads that he cannot go on, as Ariel did, those pleas must be heeded.
Finally, it is crucial that there be enough water to cool off a hiker who experiences EHS: If his or her body temperature can be lowered below 104 degrees F/40 C. within half an hour the chances of recovery are good. And there must be a tent or other means of creating shade for the victim.
I met the Newmans for a second time in March – we first met near their Great Neck home last summer – when they were in Israel for a whirlwind series of meetings with senior officials to promote the widespread use of Ariel's Checklist and to push for legislation imposing criminal penalties (Ariel's Law) for tour leaders and guides who fail to follow proper procedures resulting in disaster.
While here they met with Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Jewish Agency, which has responsibility through MASA-Israel for almost every tour in Israel; with the director-general of the Tourism Ministry and other senior officials involved with the licensing and supervision of tour guides; and with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and MK Mordechai Yogev to promote Ariel's Law.
MASA-Israel has translated Ariel's Checklist into Hebrew and agreed to incorporate it as part of MASA's by-laws, making adherence to its guidelines incumbent on all tours operating under MASA's auspices. And the Tourism Ministry has undertaken to promote its distribution through hotels and its website and to incorporate Ariel's Checklist into all its training programs for tour guides.
Mark and Ellen Newman are doing everything possible to make sure that no other parents suffer what they have.
Every hiker or parent of hikers is encouraged to print and read the long version of Ariel's Checklist.
This article originally appeared in Mishpacha Magazine
(4) Debra Weiner, July 12, 2016 9:30 AM
Accurate Reporting
Thank you for sharing your story and for the invaluable check list. Please know however that the story you sited in the beginning with regard to Maya Shulder z"l notes that . "News reports stated that the group lacked adequate water." This however is not accurate. The group had sufficient water and everyone was encouraged to drink. Unfortunately, certain health and medication issues were not reported to the group leaders. Parents and kids must be 100% honest with professionals about their medical history. This too can help prevent these tragedies.
Mark Newman, July 12, 2016 2:57 PM
Encouraging Drinking is Insufficient
I appreciate your response regarding the news reports. I cannot speak to their degree of accuracy but I can comment on your remark that "everyone was encouraged to drink." As pointed out in Ariel's Checklist, merely encouraging people to drink is dangerous as most people hiking in such adverse conditions are inexperienced and unaware as to what constitutes adequate drinking. If the hike leader(s) are not observing the actual amount of fluids consumed by each hiker throughout the hike, the leader(s) are derelict in their duty to keep the hikers safe.
Mark Newman, July 12, 2016 4:11 PM
Full Length Version of Ariel's Checklist
In my reply above titled Encouraging Drinking is Insufficient, I wrote: "As pointed out in Ariel's Checklist . . ." I meant to write, "As pointed out in the full length version of Ariel's Checklist . . ."
(3) Anonymous, July 11, 2016 4:49 AM
further relevant advice
As someone prone to heat sickness who has had heat exhaustion and heat stroke many times, I can tell you that it's also important to maintain proper electrolyte levels. Drinking only water in large quantities with no salt source can result in an imbalance that causes heart arrhythmia. It's called "water poisoning". Drink water, yes. But don't JUST drink water. Include juice or a decent sports drink, eat something, keep your system balanced. Also, you may not realize you're beginning to overheat until you stop for a rest (at least, that's my experience). Stop often to check yourself, and watch each other for signs of heat sickness. Common sense is the first thing to go, so you may have to insist that a companion stop to cool down over their objections.
Anonymous, July 12, 2016 3:00 PM
Relevant Advice in Ariel's Checklist
All the points you made are excellent and are contained in the full length version of Ariel's Checklist.
(2) Michae l/ Chicago, July 9, 2016 7:32 AM
Ariel' Memory.
Dearest Mr. & Mrs. Newman, My most sincere and heartfelt condolences in your tragic lose of your most Beloved son.
The check list will save many a life and should be a mandatory guide and reading for everyone involved in hiking. This includes guides, hiker; and their parents.
Many of these guides in the states and other counties push novice hikers to the limit and tell them to man up,
I remember being in the boy scouts and doing a 20 mile hike in the winter of Chicago in the 1960'. over 50 years ago the thirst I felt along with other 11 and 12 year old hikers.
The scout leader' were clueless in having water for us and told us there will be a fountain 10 miles away.
Now, in the 21th. century, poor novice hiker' die all because of guides who neglect the soft American hikers. So-So tragic that the lose of you beloved son had you on a quest to alert people of being dehydrated.
I know I will be alerting people to Ariel' check list. I know it will save and probably has already saved parents from a tragic lose.
May the Almighty comfort your family always.
Michael
I remember to this day,
Mark Newman, July 10, 2016 1:27 PM
Institutionalizing Change
Thank you so much. Your words are helpful as we endure endless pain every day.
Our real goal is to institutionalize Ariel's Checklist. Literally any day now, we will find out from the Israeli DA if he will pursue a criminal negligent homicide case. Second, MASA-Israel (part of the Jewish Agency for Israel) literally any day now will publish its newly revised written bylaws, incorporating Ariel's Checklist specifically as the required standard of care for hiking. Third, we are pressing the Ministry of Tourism to require expert knowledge of Ariel's Checklist in their training curriculum to receive/renew a Ministry of Tourism tour guide license. They told us they like the idea but it doesn't seem they are moving quickly to implement this critical institutional initiative. We need the public to e-mail them and demand this vital change immediately. Fourth, we have submitted proposed legislation face to face with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, MK Mordechai Yogev, and the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism. The legislation would provide for appropriate punishment for violating Ariel's Checklist and for gathering data to a central authority on anyone admitted to a medical facility for exertional heat illness, heat stroke, or dehydration. They all took an interest in it but we need on sight lobbying assistance to bring this proposed legislation to fruition. We must ensure that hiking in Israel is safe!
(1) Shelly, July 7, 2016 2:52 PM
To Ariels Parents
What an incomprehensible loss you faced. My heart hurts for you and please accept my sincere condolences in the loss of your wonderful beautiful son. Yet here you are; two people who are now thinking of others, trying to prevent other parents and families from experiencing a deviststing loss such as yours. How do people like you do it?! How do you continue to not just move on and carry out the mundane chores of living but to actually perform "Tukun Olam" and most probably save lives? How do you think of others while experiencing such loss? You are such unselfish, giving, and generous people. You surely are angels and I'm sure your son Ariel followed in your footsteps. I want to personally thank you both for doing what you do. I will not only print out the checklist (both longs for short form) but I will also be sure to get it out to others. I live in Arizona and know how hot it can get, especially for hikers. Again, thank you for thinking of others and know how sorry I am for your loss. May Ariels soul be a blessing for us all. Thank you.