Surviving High Temperatures and Sun

I worry about my four legged friend a lot in the heat. If I know its going to be a hot day I make sure to hike where we aren't very far from a body of water. I've been on hikes with dogs that are fearful of water but seem to be on the edge of overheating and if they won't take a dip I lead them to the edge of the water at least so their paws are covered and splash them playfully. One time I was very worried about my friend's dog and carried him in. He was a little freaked out at first but the relief seemed to overcome the anxiety.
 
Great thread, great advice. My A/C quit and I'm in Houston Texas trying very hard to keep cool. Thanks for this thread.
 
SHEMAGH is your friend. But not a urine soaked one, but a proper US, CDN or middle eastern Shemagh.

:thumbup:
 
Good diet including things to keep electrolytes up should be loked at. As a combat medic in the army for 20 years I have seen various stages of heat problems from dehydration to heat cramps and even heat stroke, prevention is the key. Plenty of water is essential but sooner or later in extreme exposure you need some eletrolytes.
I have a big black dog and he gets hot quicker than me (I am a sweat hog) so I take special precautions with him, let him get to shade or get in any water and also cary plenty of water . If it is a long excursion I put his back pack on him and put plenty of water and snacks for him.
 
I work outside yearround. Cold weather is harder for me to tolerate than hot. When it is above 90, I wear light color polyester/cotton blend clothes. 100% cotton just gets too heavy when soaked with sweat. But the blend promotes evaporative cooling. I take frequent short breaks in the shade and drink plenty of fluids. Powerade works for me much better than plain water, certainly better than sodas. I always wear a hat, also light colored on hot days. I don't use airconditioning in the truck going from one jobsite to another. I have recorded temps of 117 degrees recently when setting a new dark blue pool liner. It can get even hotter when working in a new excavation with shiney steel walls all around. In these conditions work smart. If you see signs of overheating in yourself or others, stop and cool off. Even if it means working for fifteen minutes and resting for ten. Moving air helps, even if it is hot air. I have 48" heatbuster fans I can set up to blow into excavations.

Keep in mind that a tool left laying in the sun can easily get too hot to pick up. As a contractor responsible for my workers, I have to keep an eye on their condition. Some are young and inexperienced with heat, and it isn't uncommon for them to overheat. I have to make them take breaks. I don't eat a midday meal. It seems to take too much of my energy to digest a meal when I am hot. I eat a very light breakfast, if at all. I go to work earlier and, if the work requires a long day, take a long midday break and come back after the hottest part of the day has passed. Here in Southwest Tennessee that is usually 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. I have been known to show up before daylight, send everyone home at noon and come back in the early evening to work under lights.
 
Good advice guys. I always keep a couple ice packs in my pack in the summer. If I get too hot I crack one and it goes in my hat, or in a bandana on my neck.... Works like a charm....

But nothing takes the place of adequate hydration. In addition to water, I carry an IV kit too, just in case.
Stay hydrated, dont overexert, seek shade, keep exposed skin covered, keep your knife sharp, and your powder dry....
 
I am reading Cody Lundin's book right now.

He mentions in heat (and cold, too), to only exert yourself at about 60% of what you would normally. That will minimize the use of energy and loss of fluids to an extent.

Glenn
 
I help with my daughters softball team and to help cool the girls off on hot days like recent 95F- I use a garden sprayer(NEW) to mist them with water when they come in. Same thing can be done with a cheap water bottle by poking a small hole in it and squeeze- produces a mist of water for neck & face. Water goes a long way when used as a mist.
Eat fruit and light meals to avoid getting sick/cramps & easier to digest.

Codger-64, If you were working on my pool, I bet I would be swimming in it by now! :)

2Door
 
Best weapon against hot weather: siesta

Try not to be active around the hosttest time in the day (noon) - remember that solar time might be different from legal time where you stand. Be active in morning, late afternoon, evening.

Stay in the shade as often as possible.

Drink at will.

Always wear head protection when in the sun. An hat is better than a rag, a rag is better than nothing. I have mixed feelings about soaked hats, clothes, often felt like they gave me headaches, made me catch cold...

Avoid to steep temperatures variations, notably bring sweaters for colder evening, nights.

Sunburn is not only an annoyment but can increase water loss, increase infections risks...
I personnaly prefer long sleeves for sunny weather, despite some obvious drawbacks in terms of ventilation.

I also generally think that "normal" button shirts are more versatile and allow better ventilation than Tshirt types.

Also be careful in sunny weather even when not feeling hot (notably: windy weather, altitude...) you can get a sun burn even in cold air.
 
What are the alternatives to sports drinks for maintaining electrolyte balance? I'm not a huge fan of gatoraid...
 
A good moddo we learned in boy scouts soo many years ago is:
If the face is red reaise the head - If the face is pail raise the tail (feet higher than your head). This helps when you feel faint in the heat.

I love water. I can't get enough of it and have always preferred it over other drinks but know it doesn't give you electrolytes. Have any of you ever thought of or heard of putting a few dashes of salt in your water to replenish what you lost?
 
mikeal said:
What are the alternatives to sports drinks for maintaining electrolyte balance? I'm not a huge fan of gatoraid...
Click to expand...

Not sure you really need a particular beverage, I think many people overdo the electrolyte problem. I'd stick with plain water. You can get the electrolytes from what you eat.
 
you can always add some apple juice in the water with just a tad of salt. It would work as well.. In israel i remember that many places where people work out side it was normal to have a 12 noon till 2 a break during the summer.. Codger you got the heat thing worked out into an art... It would be intresting if someone on here could take all the advice on this thread narate it into a shorter post and make a sticky of it... There are alot of people that lurk on here and it would be a great read for the up comming summer...

Sasha
 
Wouldnt apple juice be a little acidic, and sugary? Might upset the stomach if youre over heated..... I have never tried this so I might be wrong....
 
It works very well.. You add a few table spoons of apple juice to a bottle of water with a pinch of salt. The suger and the salt helps your body absorb the water faster. The nice thing about gatoraid is that it add other more minerals that your body used.. Just make sure you mix only 1\3 of what it says on the box. You would be surprised at how you get your wind back on a very long hot hike...

Sasha
 
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