Sven's Summertime Safety: Heat protection

  • Published
  • By Andy Swenson
  • 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Humans are funny creatures. You see it really hasn't been all that long ago since we were complaining about the cold temperatures and dreaming of the warmer days of summer.

Well those days are here and it seems that those dreams have been replaced with "uff-da it's too hot." To help you battle the heat, please keep the following in mind.

Dehydration has a nasty way of sneaking up on you, so pay attention to the warning signs. It has been stated that the first sign of dehydration is thirst. It's your body's way of telling you that it needs more water.

To prevent dehydration, drink cool water -- at least one 8 oz. cup every 20 minutes. As the level of water loss increases, more symptoms can become apparent: dry mouth, the eyes stop making tears, sweating may stop, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness (especially when standing).

Notice I said "water" and not liquids. It's a popular belief amongst beer drinkers that they are merely trying to stay hydrated. The reality is that alcohol only speeds up the dehydration process.

Ever taken a nap in the sun only to have a buddy write the word "loser" across your back? Then not realize it until you get home? Well his plot could have been foiled had I first slathered on some SPF of my own. Remember that swimming and sweating will remove some of the sunscreen, so reapply often.

Whether it's to battle the sting of the sunburn tomorrow or prevent melanoma treatments years from now, using sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher is a great idea. Think about it -- tanning is also the process for making shoe leather.

Remember if I seem to be dumber in the sun, offer me a glass of water -- it could just be the dehydration. Enjoy the heat while it lasts, because in less time than a good deployment we'll be giving shoveling and frostbite tips.