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Beat the Heat

  • Published
  • By Capt. Renee Patterson
  • Public Health
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  With the average daily temperature soaring above 100 degrees, the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group wants to ensure personnel know how to prevent heat-related injuries.
Guidance on recognition and prevention of heat injuries may be found in Air Force Instruction 48-151, Thermal Injury and AFMAN 10-100, Airman's Manual. 

The Bioenvironmental Engineering office monitors the temperature using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index. The current WBGT is sent out via computer screen alerts and is published on the base intranet home page. The WBGT and workload rate is used to determine work/rest cycles and water intake requirements, which are used to prevent symptoms of heat injury. 

Symptoms of heat injury include dizziness, headache, nausea, unsteady walking, weakness, cramps and in more serious cases, loss of consciousness and death. It is critical that you not only recognize these symptoms in yourself, but also in others. If you become of aware of someone displaying these symptoms, move them into a cool place, have them slowly re-hydrate, and call for medical assistance.

To prevent heat injury, there are some simple steps you can follow:

· HYDRATE - At a minimum, drink one-half quart (1 bottle) every hour. When working outside, drink one quart (2 bottles) of water every hour. But do not drink more than two quarts (4 bottles) of water an hour. You should be urinating frequently and urine should be clear.
· Sports drinks can be helpful in people who are sweating profusely and need electrolyte replacement.
· Eat small, light meals.
· Be aware of current weather conditions.
· Utilize work/rest cycles IAW Air Force guidance.
· Cover skin with loose clothing and no tight headgear.
· Wear sun block.
· Stay in the shade as much as possible.
· Avoid strenuous back-to-back events.

It is important to remember that heat injuries are serious and inhibit our ability to complete the mission at hand. 

Luckily, we can beat the heat by using common sense - take care of yourself and those around you. If you have any questions regarding heat stress, call the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering and Public Health office at 437-8741, or visit in Bldg. 10078 in CC.