CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Charleston Airmen have the secret to beating the South Carolina heat in their hands -- a cup of water.
"Water and plenty of it -- that's how to survive during these hot months," said Staff Sgt. Jared Thomas, who works in the 437th Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight collecting and testing water samples.
High humidity inhibits a body's ability to cool itself and makes this an area prone to occurrence of heat-related injuries. When there is added reflected heat from aircraft, reradiated heat from asphalt, no breezes or limited shade, this creates potentially dangerous conditions.
"It's not the heat, it's the humidity," added Sergeant Thomas referring to the high temperatures and high relative humidity, and how ignoring them is not a smart thing to do.
To help combat the sun, heat and humidity, Air Force Pamphlet 48-151, Thermal Injury, was established to help people avoid heat stress. It explians five color-coded categories from safe to hazardous: white, green, yellow, red and black. These heat condition categories alert Airmen on heat-related hazards, work-rest cycles and water intake.
The base's Globemaster Web page has a color-changing link on it with the most up-to-the-minute heat condition category and color. By clicking the link, the specific heat stress charts for acclimated and un-acclimated workers as well as exercise and emergency response workers can be accessed. This link is automatically updated on the hour and is based on the current Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index measured by the bioenvironmental engineering flight. The Heat Stress Hotline at 963-0007 also has the current heat condition category and color and the Command Post will begin announcing heat condition black on Giant Voice.
Having this information readily accessible will allow Airmen to take action to reduce heat stress. It also alerts physical training leaders of unsafe conductions for physical fitness testing and evaluation. When the heat condition category and color is yellow or above WBGT of 85 degrees, PTLs are required to discontinue official testing until conditions change.
Aside from paying attention to the heat warnings, there are several precautionary measures that an individual can take to prevent heat stress. Being in good health, moderately physically fit, under minimal stress, with a good night's sleep and having a proper diet will boost the body's ability to fight off heat stress. Being acclimated is important because it gives the body time to adapt. Becoming acclimated requires 10 to 14 days of being in a hot environment, not just living in the area. An individual can live, work and physically train in an air-conditioned environment and never become acclimated to the local environment.
Other precautionary steps include scheduling outside work and exercise before or after the hottest times during the day as much as possible as well as following the recommended work-rest cycles and water intake amounts whenever possible. It is a fact that urine color is a great indicator of adequate water intake; clear is great, yellow means drink more, and anything darker is a warning sign.
Also, Airmen should wear loose fitting clothes and sunscreen when working outside, stay in shady areas and use fans to create air movement whenever possible. Special attention must be taken when Airmen are wearing chemical protective suits, body armor and gas masks and respirators. These protective measures increase heat stress exposure by 10 to 15 degrees and can quickly stress a body beyond its limits.
As always, watch out for Wingmen and make sure they are safe from heat stress. One of the signs of heat stress is confusion, which may cause behaviors that lead to more heat stress exposure. Make sure no one is left alone, isolated or without water at any given time during the day. Everyone must be aware of the effects of the heat.
If someone is experiencing any heat-related symptoms, contact 9-1-1 immediately. Move the individual to a cooler environment, cool them with water (on and in the body) and elevate their legs.
Ultimately, Airmen need to drink the required amount of water per hour.
"You have to keep drinking, even when you are not thirsty," said Sergeant Thomas. "Once you are thirsty, you have lost 20 to 25 percent of your stamina. So drink up; it's the safe and healthy thing to do."