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Critical Days of Summer: Heat Safety

By Airman 1st Class Sean Johnson, 341st Missile Wing Safety / Published June 06, 2011

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MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- While hiking through Yellowstone with their kids, Jack and Jill noticed their 6-year-old son's face was extremely flushed. Knowing they were miles from the car, Jack thought it was best to keep moving. His son's red face turned to nausea which soon caused their son to start vomiting. Afterward, their son fainted and laid motionless on the trail. Miles away from help; Jack and Jill had no idea what to do.

This fictional situation is a startling reminder of the effects of extreme heat on the human body. Heat stress is common in the summer and can be deadly. According to the National Weather Service, 138 people died in the U.S. in 2010 from heat-related injuries. Roughly half of those fatalities occurred while participating in outdoor activities and it's safe to say none of those deaths were people that properly assessed the risk of being outdoors in extreme heat. The Critical Days of Summer are in full swing and statistically the Air Force family experiences more fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of the year. It's important to understand the signs of heat stress this summer and know what to do to prevent heat-related injuries.

Below are the most visible signs of heat stress:
· Heavy sweating
· Faintness
· Weak, rapid pulse
· Low blood pressure
· Nausea
· Low-grade fever
· Headache
· Skin flushed and moist

Included below are seven ways to prevent heat stress disorders while playing and working this summer:
· Drink large quantities of cool water to make up for water lost through sweating.
· Maintain a balanced diet to compensate for salt lost through sweating.
· Wear loose fitting clothing, especially at the neck and wrist, to allow air circulation.
· Personnel should adapt to different heat exposures.
· Modify work schedules to perform the heaviest work during the coolest parts of the day.
· Avoid eating greasy, fatty or heavy foods.
· Seek medical treatment for illnesses and skin problems, including rashes.

The systematic steps to operational risk management allow an Airman to break down a potentially risky situation into a risk over reward ratio. When the potential risks of outdoor activities outweigh the potential benefits, staying inside may be a better decision; especially if the weather includes high temperatures and high humidity. As mentioned before, the U.S. experienced 138 heat related fatalities. In comparison, there were only three bear related fatalities in 2010. If it's prudent to bring bear spray when hiking, wouldn't it be prudent to avoid becoming a heat-related statistic?
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