Precautions, safety measures to help beat heat wave

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE Ark. --  As dawn breaks and signals the start of a new morning, Team Little Rock service members don their uniforms and prepare to take on the challenges of another day at work. As the sun steadily rises, so does the temperature, increasing from pleasant warmth to irritable heat. When the sun reaches its zenith the heat swelters to scorching heights. The conditions outside prove not only uncomfortable but potentially dangerous to people unprepared to deal with them.

Countering hazardous heat conditions over the past months has become routine to the members of Team Little Rock because of the unprecedented heat wave that has baked the greater part of the central United States, including Arkansas. The combination of searing heat along with humidity and dry weather conditions has scarred the earth and harmed people as well. While people may begin to feel acclimated to the heat at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., it is important to take precautions and proactive measures to ensure safety from heat exhaustion both on and off duty.

"The most important thing is to hydrate prior to and during any kind of work," said Tech. Sgt. Ricky Carroll, a 19th Airlift Wing ground safety technician. "Most heat related incidents on base are traced back to dehydration. Supervisors should also schedule labor intensive work in the early morning and evenings."
The wing safety office staff's job is to find preventative measures so there are no heat related mishaps, said Carroll. The wing safety staff has heat stress cards that can help service members recognize the symptoms of heat stress and provide guidelines on work-rest cycles as well as fluid intake.

Workers need to adjust their work-rest cycle if their wardrobe includes body armor, Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear or firefighting suits, said Carroll. Also, people not acclimated with extreme heat should rest for an additional 10 minutes per cycle.

While the heat stress cards provide guidelines for work-rest cycles during duty hours, it is imperative for service members to take care of themselves off duty as well, particularly when exercising during the summer months.

"There is no need to exercise outside in the heat of the day," said Lisa Plaquet, a personal trainer at Little Rock AFB. "The best times to exercise outside are early mornings and in the evening, but the gym provides good equipment so people can work out at anytime and stay out of the heat."

Hydration is paramount in order to stay safe while exercising in the heat, said Plaquet. Water is the key to good hydration, but people exercising for more than 60 minutes should drink sports drinks as well to resupply electrolytes lost while exercising.

"People exercising seriously need 80-100 ounces of water a day," she said.

The consequences of dehydration span from headaches to severe muscle cramp to heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Whether performing official work tasks, taking a jog or enjoying leisure time in a swimsuit by the pool, exposure to heat can have dire consequences. Reducing the risks of heat exposure involves always taking precautions, staying educated on the symptoms of heat stroke and remembering to always stay hydrated.
For more information call 987-6888.