Preventing heat stress

  • Published
  • By Randall Conway
  • 377th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight
Kirtland Air Force Base --  As the summer approaches, most of us think of enjoying outdoor activities. But hours of "fun in the sun" can turn to disaster if someone is overcome by heat stress.
Heat stress occurs when we can no longer remove heat from our bodies, either by sweating or by moving to a cooler environment. When heat can no longer be removed, our body temperature rises and we become less efficient. Without reducing our activity, our temperature will continue to rise and will affect our health.
During the summer months, personnel from Kirtland AFB's Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures.
The WBGT is the best indicator of heat stress exposure because it combines several factors that affect the body other than the temperature. The WBGT combines dry, wet and radiant readings. Dry readings are what most thermometers measure and what you find displayed at financial institutions. Wet readings incorporate humidity and radiant readings account for heat from the sun. We collect the WBGT at least four times a day during peak temperatures whenever the forecasted high is 85 F or above. When the WBGT actually reaches 85 F, hourly monitoring is performed.
WBGT readings, water consumption guidelines, and work/rest cycle recommendations are available on the Kirtland General Announcement Bulletin Board website at https://kc4portal/ sites/kirtlandafb/default.aspx, under the Heat Index link.
The chart indicates heat condition, recommended water intake, and work/rest cycles based on the WBGT. The heat condition reflects the level of concern that we should attach to our outdoor activities. Red and black flags signify the most dangerous conditions and should be taken seriously.
Unit commanders enforce activity levels for all personnel performing work outdoors. They also ensure that everyone under their command understands the WBGT monitoring program, health flags and preventive measures related to heat stress.
Supervisors, like commanders, emphasize the preventive measures of heat stress, paying particular attention to protective controls, such as drinking plenty of fluids and planning work/rest cycles.
Everyone conducting outdoor activities on hot days should take the following preventive measures:
 Wear loose-fitting clothes
 Drink plenty of water -- as much as 1 to 2 quarts of water per hour may be needed during strenuous activities
 Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages if engaged in strenuous activities
 Mod if y work/activity schedules to perform the heaviest work during cooler parts of the day
 Be aware of heat injury symptoms and first aid for heat injuries
Anyone new to New Mexico, especially if coming from a cooler climate, needs to acclimate themselves before engaging in strenuous outdoor activities.
To do this, begin with a few minutes of outdoor exertion each day and slowly increase activity time.
Take about a month to acclimatize yourself before reaching the same level of exertion you engaged in at your previous place of residence.
For more information, call the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 846-4259.