Beat the heat

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Almost everyone experiences stress in some form or another, but some types of stress can be avoided especially in the form of heat.

Heat stress can affect everyone from Airmen in training marching to and from class to permanent party performing in their workplace to pilots stepping for a sortie.

"Heat stress happens when you push yourself a little too far, especially with the weather here," said Capt. Lindsay Kotouch, 82nd Aerospace Medical Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight commander.

Heat stress is a villain with many different masks. Some types of stress include stroke, exhaustion, syncope, cramps and rash.

With the end of summer less than two months away it is still important to remember to take necessary measures to avoid heat-related illness. There are simple precautions to help combat heat stress.

"Always hydrate," said Senior Airman Casey Mowatt, 82nd Medical Group bioenvironmental technician. "It's what you should be doing anyways, it's healthy for you. Try to ake small sips of water over a long period of time instead of just chugging it."

According to the CDC, an individual should be drinking enough water to never become thirsty; this amounts to about one cup every 15 to 20 minutes.

"A good rule to use is to take your body weight, divide it in half, and that's how many ounces of water you should be drinking a day," Kotouch said. "It's pretty common that people aren't drinking enough water and they think they are fine. That's stress being put on your body, they end up having symptoms the next day."

Some symptoms of heat stress include light headedness, nausea, clammy moist skin, pale complexion, muscle cramps, fast and shallow breathing, confusion, throbbing headache and even hallucinations, according to the Center for Disease Control.

"Situation awareness is key," said Airman 1st Class Karl Ambrosio. "If someone looks like they are about to pass out or is sweating excessively, take them out of the sun and sprinkle water on their face and neck."

The flags around base inform personnel on what level of work or exercise is permitted due to the heat index.

"Pay attention to the flag conditions," Ambrosio said. "They are there for a reason.

For more information on the prevention of heat stress disorders, see Air Education Training Command Instruction 48-101 or http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/