Stay hydrated – avoid heat related injuries

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Summer is finally here. Unfortunately, it is the number one season for injuries of all kinds.

Half the battle against fighting self-inflicted injuries is avoiding the behaviors that cause them.

"A contributing factor is the warmer weather," said Shane Campbell, the unit safety representative with the 71st Medical Group. "More people are outside working on their house or playing sports, which leads to more accidents."

Most injuries can be avoided if people avoid complacency when performing day-to-day chores and playing sports, and paying attention to the indicators of heat injuries.

"I remember a person losing a toe last year while mowing their lawn," said Campbell. "To prevent this kind of injury, follow good operational risk management principles. ORM works for everything."

"Always pay attention to the weather outside and plan events accordingly," said Master Sgt. Kyle Boles, the NCO in charge of the 71st Flying Training Wing safety office. "Stay hydrated during the summer months and know how to handle the signs of a heat injury."

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the main types of injuries people suffer during the summer.

Heat cramps, caused by dehydration, are the mildest form of injury, said Senior Airman Michael Elbo, an aerospace medical service technician for the 71st Medical Group. Symptoms include muscle cramps, which can lead to muscle spasms.

Treating heat cramps is as simple as sipping water and getting to a cooler area, said Elbo.

Heat exhaustion is caused by strenuous activity, like sports or hard labor, coupled with dehydration, said Elbo. Symptoms include profuse sweating, irritability, nausea, chills, weakness, vomiting, fainting, a rapid weak pulse, flushed or pale skin, disturbance of vision and incoherence.

To treat heat exhaustion, elevate legs, pour cool water over the skin and drink water or other liquids that will replace electrolytes, said Elbo.

Heatstroke is dangerous and is considered a medical emergency, said Elbo.

Heatstroke is caused by a variety of factors. They include lack of acclamation to the heat, fever, alcohol or drug abuse, dehydration, sleep deprivation, the intensity of an activity and type of clothing, said Elbo.

Treatment for heatstroke is similar to the other heat-related injuries, but emergency services should be contacted and efforts made to cool the person's body temperature. One effective way is cool water submersion, said Elbo.