Sven’s 'beat the heat' summer safety tips

  • Published
  • By Andrew Swenson and Tech. Sgt. David Watnemoe
  • 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  This has been an odd year, beginning with a winter without snow, a very short spring and summer that seemed to start in March.

Lately I have been finding myself sitting in front of the computer looking at the weather forecast saying "I thought it was supposed to be cold in North Dakota."

With highs in the 90s and humidity to match, only the diehard pyros manage to weather the temps to enjoy the nostalgic smell of $5-a-bundle firewood.

There are so many things we could talk about for summer safety. But for this week I'd like to focus on beating the heat.

You could do this by locking yourself inside with the air conditioning on high until you see the leaves changing colors outside. I wouldn't recommend this unless you like giving pet names to inanimate objects and having full conversations with a floor lamp.

The best way to beat the heat is to use proper planning. If you know you have to do any kind of intensive labor outdoors, you should try to do it early in the morning before it gets too hot.

If you know you are going to be out in the sun and heat all day, you need to drink plenty of fluids to ensure you stay properly hydrated.

While outside you should always wear plenty of sunblock, unless you enjoy the lobster jokes and an accidental slap on the back from one of your closest friends. There are a lot of choices for sunblock - just remember that the higher the number, the more protection is offered.

Activities like swimming, sweating and Greco-Roman wrestling will wear the sun block off, so reapply often. And we all have those impossible to reach parts of the body, ask for help. It is always a good idea to seek some shade or shelter from time to time, just to give your body a break and let it cool off.

Before you head outdoors this summer you should be aware of some of the symptoms of heat injuries to keep you and others safe. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the injuries you may incur. Below is a brief description of symptoms, causes and treatments for each.

Heat Cramps: Painful cramping of the larger muscle groups in the legs, arms, and abdomen due to excessive loss of salt through heavy sweating plus several hours of sustained exertion.
Treatment: Move victim to a shaded area, massage arms/legs to increase circulation and replenish body by consuming 0.1 percent salt solution orally (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 quart water), sports drink, or salted food plus fluid.

Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, headache, light-headed, nausea/vomiting, tingling sensations with a temperature of 99-104 F to include dehydration and excessive salt depletion.
Treatment: Move victim to a shaded environment, loosen clothing. If early heat stroke is suspected treat as such with oral fluids if they are able to drink consisting of cold water, 0.1 percent salt solution, or 6 percent carbohydrate beverage, 1-2 liters over 2-4 hours.

Heat Stroke: Elevated temperature above 105 F plus central nervous system disturbance and fainting may normally a first sign of heat stroke. Other symptoms may include those of heat exhaustion and heat cramps.
Treatment: If heat stroke is suspected you need to call 911 immediately, any delay in seeking medical attention could be fatal. While waiting for medical personnel to respond you should move the victim to an air conditioned environment and remove any unnecessary clothing. You can fan air over the victim while wetting their skin. Apply ice packs to their armpits, groin, neck and back in an attempt to cool their body temperature or immerse them in a shower or tub of cool water or an ice bath.

Take some time to enjoy the these wonderful days of summer even if it's hot enough to cook your lefse (a traditional Norwegian flatbread) on the sidewalk, because we have to remember that those same sidewalks could be covered with snow in a couple of months.