*Summer's Heat*
By Fuchi

Summer heat can kill! Heat stress can strike while a team member is training, while a citizen ly works in an office with no air-conditioning, or while a mowing the yard. The symptoms of heat cramps, exhaustion, and ultimately heat stroke can set in with little warning.

Fighting Heat takes awareness. Knowing the warning signs of heat-related illnesses could prove to be lifesaving.

* Sunburn. Many people do not think of sunburn as a heat injury, but it is a frequent cause of injury to soldiers, and repeated exposures can lead to skin cancers later. Anyone can become sunburned, even on cloudy days. Fortunately, it is totally preventable, either through use of sunscreen, or simply by keeping body parts covered.

* First-Aid: Cover the body part that is being burned. If there is pain with the burn, seek medical attention.

* Heat cramps are painful cramps of the muscles caused by a heavy loss of salt through sweating. An individual may lose more than a quart of water per hour through sweating alone. Vomiting, diarrhea, or urination can make this, and all dehydration injuries, much worse. Generally, the cramps will disappear with treatment.

* First-aid: Move the victim to shade and loosen clothing. Treatment includes frequent intake of water, a cup (8 oz) every 15-20 minutes, not to exceed 1½ quarts per hour. Thirst is not an adequate indicator of dehydration. If cramps persist, dissolve ¼-teaspoon table salt in one quart of water, and have the victim slowly drink at least one quart of the salt solution.

* Heat exhaustion is caused by excessive salt depletion and dehydration and characterized by symptoms of profuse sweating, headache, tingling sensation in the extremities, weakness, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, cramps, chills, and rapid breathing.

* First-aid: Lay victim flat in a cool, shady spot. Elevate feet and loosen clothing. Pour water on victim and fan to cool. If conscious, have the victim drink at least one canteen full of cool water with the salt solution. If soldiers do not recover after an hour, evacuate to the nearest aid station or other facility.

* Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Lack of sweating in the heat is an important symptom of imminent heat stroke. Other symptoms of heat stroke are mental confusion, disorientation or coma, throbbing headache, flushed dry skin, nausea, and elevated body temperature.

* First-aid: THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY-SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. Move the victim to shade and cool with ice packs. If packs are not available, soak or douse victim with cool water. Fan body and elevate feet. Do not immerse in ice water. Do not try to give water to an unconscious victim. If medics (EMT) are present, start intravenous (IV) fluids. Ensure cooling process is continued during transport to medical facility.

Common Sense Approach to Fight the Heat

* Acclimatization. It takes up to two weeks to become acclimatized.

* Fluid intake. Individuals should drink adequate fluids before and during an activity, operation or training exercise.

* Physical conditioning. Infections, fever, recent illness, overweight, fatigue, drugs (cold medication), and previous heat injuries may increase the risk of heat stress.

* Work schedules. If the situation allows, heavy work and activities that require strenuous physical exertion (marches/calisthenics) should be scheduled for early morning or late evening. Avoid working in the direct sun, whenever possible.

* Loose-fitting clothing. Wear lightweight clothing that allows circulation of air and enhances the cooling evaporation of sweat. If the tactical situation allows, commanders need to consider permitting unblousing of boots, unbuttoning of shirts (BDU jackets), or other measures. Removal of shirts (BDU jackets) should be done with caution, as this may increase the risk of sunburn.

* Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). The WBGT index is the best means of evaluating environmental heat. Remember to be alert to early signs of dehydration and heat illness. They forewarn of more severe casualties to come without intervention. Virtually all heat injuries are preventable; successful prevention of heat casualties is more important to the unit than their treatment.

Note: Individual who are overweight, dieting, or past heat casualties are more prone to heat injuries. As a result, their activities must be closely monitored.

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