Be Careful in the Heat!

[DanG]

All you guy working outside, Summer has snuck up on us!  Our weather-guesser is precicting 99 for the next 3 days, with a heat index of 110.  He said the only reason he picked the 99 figure is that he refused to predict over 100 before Summer officially begins. :

Be sure to keep yourself hydrated and take frequent breaks.  Work early and take the afternoon off if you can.  It wouldn't hurt to review the First Aid procedures for Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion.  Perhaps someone more qualified than me will outline it here for us. ;)

[Radar67]

DanG, here is our Combat Lifesaver Class on heat.....


Lesson 12
RECOGNIZE AND GIVE FIRST AID
FOR HEAT INJURIES

INTRODUCTION

Heat injuries can occur during both hot weather and temperate conditions when the normal temperature control mechanisms of the body are overwhelmed. This may occur when fluids are not adequately replaced, soldiers are not adequately rested, or body heat is not dissipated.

RECOGNIZE AND GIVE FIRST AID
FOR HEAT INJURIES


TASK

Identify the three types of heat injuries and the treatment for each.

CONDITIONS

Given multiple-choice examination items pertaining to heat injuries.

STANDARD

Score 70 or more points on the 100-point written

IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
CRAMPS


Grasping or massaging a limb (arm or leg) or bending over in an effort to relieve the pain of an abdominal cramp.

Skin wet with perspiration.

Unusual thirst.

TREAT HEAT CRAMPS


Move the casualty to a cool, shaded area to rest. Use poles, ponchos, blankets, or other available materials to improvise a shade, if needed.

Loosen the casualty's clothing around his neck and waist and loosen his boots.

Do not loosen the casualty's clothing if you are in a chemical environment.

Have the casualty slowly drink one quart (one canteen) of cool water.

Seek medical help or evacuate the casualty if the cramps continue.

IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
EXHAUSTION


Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Profuse sweating with pale, cool skin.

Weakness or faintness.

Dizziness.

Headache.

Loss of appetite.

IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
EXHAUSTION


Other Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Heat cramps.

Nausea (with or without vomiting).

Chills ("gooseflesh").

Rapid breathing.

Urge to defecate.

Tingling in hands or feet.

Mental confusion.

TREAT HEAT EXHAUSTION


Move the casualty to a cool shaded area to rest. Improvise a shade, if necessary.

Position the casualty to lie on his back with his legs elevated (normal shock position).

Remove the casualty's clothing around his neck and waist and loosen his boots.

Pour water over the casualty and fan him to cool his body faster.

Do not loosen or remove clothing or pour water over the casualty if you are in a chemical environment.

TREAT HEAT EXHAUSTION


Have the casualty slowly drink one quart (one canteen) of cool water.

If the casualty cannot drink the water because of nausea or if he vomits, the combat lifesaver will insert an intravenous line and evacuate.

If the casualty recovers, have him perform only light duties for the remainder of the day if the mission permits.

IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
STROKE


Lack of or severe decrease in normal perspiration. (Decrease in perspiration is caused by the collapse of the body's cooling mechanisms, including perspiration.)

A soldier who is not perspiring or perspiring very little while other soldiers performing the same work are perspiring freely is in danger of heat stroke. Take emergency measures immediately.

IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
STROKE


Skin that is hot, dry, and red.

Headache.

Weakness.

Dizziness.

Mental confusion.

Nausea or stomach pains.

Seizures.

Weak and rapid pulse and respiration.

Sudden loss of consciousness.

TREAT HEAT STROKE


Heat stroke is a medical emergency. In heat stroke, the body's internal (core) temperature increases to dangerous levels. If the casualty's body temperature is not lowered quickly, brain injury or death may result.

Send someone to get medical help while you work with the casualty.

Move the casualty to a cool, shaded area or improvise a shade.

Loosen or remove the casualty's outer garments.

TREAT HEAT STROKE


Position the casualty on his back with his feet elevated while pouring cool water over the casualty, fanning him vigorously, and massaging his arms and legs with cool water. Mist is more effective than pouring water.

Do not loosen or remove clothing, pour water over the casualty, or massage his limbs if you are in a chemical environment.

Have the casualty slowly drink one quart of cool water if he is able. If unable to drink, insert an intravenous line.

TREAT HEAT STROKE


Evacuate the casualty as soon as possible.

Do not delay evacuation in order to start cooling measures. Perform cooling measures en route to the medical treatment facility.

Monitor the casualty's breathing. Administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if needed.

RECOGNIZE AND GIVE FIRST AID
FOR HEAT INJURIES


CLOSING

Any heat injury casualty should be examined by medical personnel even if he appears to recover fully. Heat injuries can be avoided by adequate rest, proper clothing, and adequate fluids. This lesson is tested on the written examination.

[Raider Bill]

My firends a city fireman. He was cutting someone out of a wreck yesterday in full gear got faint and dropped out. Had to IV him.

He's nearing retirement 51 so the "young" guys are razing him about not being able to keep up.

It's hot!

[beenthere]

DanG
I hear ya.
Got up to 79 yesterday, and I was going by your suggestions. Still did some sweating.

Don't know how those firemen can do it.
8) 8)

[DanG]

Firefighting is tough in this kind of weather, but at least they have trained people all around them.  I worry about the guys working alone in isolated areas, like loggers, etc.  Heat stroke can be fatal.

BTW, it was 93 at Noon here, heat index 104!

[Maineloggerkid]

Well, Iv'e done both loggin and firefighting, and firefighting definetly takes the cake on heat. You get in amongst the buring trees, and it feels like an oven.

That being said, I got a touch of heat exhaustion today.

[zopi]

I got a little dose of heat stress a few weeks ago...it slowed me down for a couple weeks..and it'll sneak up on you....

[rebocardo]

98 here yesterday in GA while cutting firewood. I drank two gallons in two hours. Seriously thinking about painting my orange helmet white.

> worry about the guys working alone in isolated areas

Yes, why I keep four instant ice packs handy, in case I need to cool down quick. At least we had a 1/2 decent breeze.

[LeeB]

Much as I don't like the stuff, you need to drink a little gatorade or some such along with the water at about 4 parts water to one gatorade.

[Ironwood]

I had heat exhaustion while at NCO school in Hawaii, still lingering w/ the outcome everytime it gets 85+ degrees, mostly headaches, keeps me moving slowly in the heat.

  Ironwood

[DanG]

The brutal heat is continuing throughout the Southeast.  Today's prediction from the NWS is 105!  That is temperature, and not the Heat Index.  This is the kind of day where you concentrate on taking care of yourself so you can make some production on another day.

A couple of days ago, a woman died of heat stroke in Dothan, Al.  According to the news report, her body temp was 108 when they got her to the hospital.

You need to take frequent breaks and keep your hydration and elecrolytes up.  Sawyers and other "team leaders" need to also be aware of your helpers.  Don't push them too hard.  Make it clear that anyone can call for a break at any time.  Some people can take the heat better than others, and some can't work in it at all.  This is no time to be macho!

[ickirby]

That's excellent info Radar.  For our Canadian celsius based members here is some info from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers.  Make sure to listen to your symptoms and follow the appropriate treatments/resting procedures.

Also here is a tool to calculate the humidex for you if you need it.

[pineywoods]

Bunch of us local retired ol farts got together last week and built one of the bunch a barn/tool shed. Temp well over 100 with humidity pushing 90% all 3 days. One elderly fellow got overheated bad enough to make him sick. He was in the shade using a skill saw to cut siding boards to length. Heat stroke will slip up on you if you aren't carefull, especially in high humidity. I went through 1/2 gallon of gatoraid by noon when we quit for the day.
Wife and I have been hitting the blueberry patch early in the morning. By 8:00 AM it's too hot to stay out there. Heat index has been pushing 110 every day for the last week.

[Radar67]

Thanks ickirby and welcome to the forum.

I witnessed and helped a heat causualty this past weekend. We went to an outdoor concert and a young lady started cramping (bad enough to curl her hands and arms up). Her friends kept saying she would be alright. She had been there less than an hour and when questioned, she had not drank anything all day (it was about 3 pm). I helped get her cooled off a little, get some water down her, and finally convinced someone to go to the first aid station to get the paramedic. She left there with 2 IVs in an ambulance. I feel like she was in the heat exhustion stage, but will never know for sure.

I drank a gallon of water before I got to the show, and drank another gallon while there. Sweat like a pig, but sure enjoyed myself. The heat index was 108, with the actual temp at 103.

[dnalley]

My son calls occasionally asking how are things at home, and most times I complain about the heat.  This always brings a chuckle from him as he's in Iraq and they have to deal with 115-120 degrees regularly.  This in addition to the protective gear they wear (puts me in mind of a firefighter with all that heavy gear) and I find it hard to imagine what each job calls for in the sacrifices they all make, firemen, soldiers and others who have no choice but to do the best they can.  Thank God for their dedication.  Remember our troops and pray for their well-being.

[ksu_chainsaw]

I remember our trip over to Iraq, and the pallets upon pallets of 1.5 liter bottles of water we would go through.  I know if I was just inside in the semi-air conditioned building- it was running non-stop and would only cool the building to about 85- I would drink 3-4 bottles per day, but if I went outside and had to wear all the stuff, I would drink about 1 bottle per hour if not more.  At least we had the small packets of gatoraide to dump in the bottle for a change of pace every 2-3 bottles. 

drink lots of water in the heat, don't wait until you get thirsty.  wear light colored clothes, and long sleeves can actually keep you cooler, as long as the humidity is under 50%.

Charles

[Chuck White]

We have had some hot weather here, but not a lot.

On the days that it gets above 75°, or when the sun is strong, regardless of the temp, I wear a straw hat and I just picked one up for my off-bearer a few days ago.
When you take off your cap and put on a straw hat, it seems to drop the temp around your head by 6-10°.

We drink lots of water (usually 1½-2 gallons per day), with an occasional soda and 1 barley pop at lunch time and another (sometimes) at the end of the day!

Chuck