Heat-related illnesses common during Critical Days of Summer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Wing
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  During the Critical Days of Summer heat-related illnesses are common if the body is unable to cool itself by sweating. 

John Martin, an exercise physiologist at the Health and Wellness Center, said the four biggest issues related to the heat are dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

He said symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth, thirst, headache, dizziness and nausea. An easy way to recognize heat cramps is persistent muscle contractions with intense pain during exercise associated with heat. 

Symptoms of heat exhaustion are the same as dehydration and heat cramps with the addition of vomiting, physical fatigue, difficulty exercising in the heat and profuse sweating. Symptoms that indicate heat stroke include to altered consciousness, disorientation, irrational behavior, irritability, confusion, apathy, diarrhea, and hot and wet or dry skin. 

Mr. Martin said if someone recognizes heat stroke it is important to call 911 right away and move the patient out of the sun to a cool area. He said he recommends a whole body cooling by immersing two bed sheets and bath towels in cold water and a little bit of ice. He said to wrap the bed sheet around the body and wrap the towel around the head while allowing the patient to breathe. 

"That will cool the body down significantly," he said. 

Mark Schaffer, 82nd Training Wing ground safety manager, said the average Sheppard summer has about one case of heat stress every day. 

"You have to replace your fluids. Your body doesn't make water, you have to consume it," he said. 

Mr. Schaffer said a lot of people wait until they're thirsty to hydrate. 

"That's not good. Thirst is an indicator of dehydration," he said. "We want to remind people not to wait until they show signs of heat stress. Be proactive when you know you're going to be outside- always stay hydrated." 

Mr. Martin said to prevent heat-related illnesses people need adequate exercise conditioning, hydrating, appropriate dietary practices such as adequate intake of minerals, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and sugar on exercise days. 

He said it's important to replace the salt and minerals that are lost through sweat. This can be done through sports drinks. 

"Your body excretes water and utilizes it in the summer. And in the summer people are more active," Mr. Martin said. "It's imperative to increase your fluids." 

He also said it's important to follow the work-to-rest ratios of flag conditions, which is determined through the heat stress index.

He said the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight measures the heat stress index, a measurement of the human body's reaction to thermal conditions, to help determine the appropriate workloads during warm conditions. 

The BEE calculates a heat stress index whenever the ambient temperature exceeds 85 degrees as well as every two hours after the initial heat stress measurement for the day, the lieutenant said. The heat stress index determines the flag condition, which lets the base know what level of work they are permitted to do. 

"The flag condition serves as a guide for commanders to select the appropriate work and rest cycle, but these cycles are not mandated," said 2nd Lt. Gabriel Cantu, BEE Flight. "But if someone is not acclimated to heat conditions, virtually any flag condition could cause heat stress related disorders."

According to Air Education and Training Command Instruction 48-101, White Flag, 78-81.9 degrees, allows 20 minutes of rest for every 40 minutes of hard work. Green Flag, 82-84.9 degrees, and Yellow Flag, 85-87.9 degrees, allow 30 minutes of rest for every 30 minutes of hard work. 

Any reading between 88-89.9 degrees is Red Flag, which allow 40 minutes if rest for 20 minutes of hard work and Black Flag, any reading more than 90 degrees, allows 50 minutes if rest for ten minutes of hard work. 

For more information about heat-related illnesses contact the HAWC at 676-4292. 

For more information about heat stress monitoring, please contact Lieutenant Cantu at 676-1427.