TroyF
TheBearcat
I'm down in Dallas at the Cooper Institute this week. Today I attended a class on heat-related illness. While letting my mind wander in class I got to thinking back to last weekend's match. I don't recall seeing alot of folks keeping hydrated.
Refering to information I received today: with Oklahoma's average humidity, we get into the "danger" level of the National Weather Service Heat Index at approximatley 88 degrees outside.
So I just wanted to remind everyone to stay hydrated while at matches as we move into the hot part of the year.
Precautions:
1. Acclimatization to heat takes approximately 14 days (depending on your level of fitness).
2. Don't expect peak performance during hot weather. Blood is shunted to the skin for cooling purposes, and less is delivered to working muscles.
3. Don't take salt tablets unless working in extreme heat for extended periods of time. If using salt tablets, make sure you are taking in alot of water.
4. Clothing should be loose and absorbant. Light colors reflect heat.
5. Drink before, during, and after excercise (or competing).
6. Sunburn adds to the heat load on the body.
7. Humid air prevents the evaporation of sweat.
8. Weigh before and after outdoor activity. For every pound lost, take in 24 oz of fluid.
9. Make sure your sunscreen is not oil-based, as it interferes with the evaporation of sweat.
10. Take in 6-12oz of water every 20 minutes. If you are thirsty....you're behind.
Don't take in obscene amounts of water (drastically more that what is described above). Too much water, when large quantities of sodium have been lost due to sweat, can cause hyponatremia (potentially fatal). If using sports drinks, cut them in half with water.
Keep and eye on your shooting buddies for these signs of Heat Stress:
Heat cramps. Symptoms are painful spasms in muscles. Pupils will dilate with each spasm. Firm pressure on cramping muscles with warm wet towels, gentle stretching, rehydrate with electrolytes.
Heat Exhaustion: Profuse sweating, weakness, hypotension, dizziness, skin cool and wet, weak rapid pulse. Possible nausea and vomiting with headache. Move to cooler enviroment, administer electrolytes, elevate legs above heart level. Seek medical attention.
Heat Stroke: Greatly elevated body temperature, CNS impairment, incoherant speech, confusion, amnesia, delirium, loss of balance, loss of consciousness. Seek medical care RIGHT FREAKING NOW.
Mods: Feel free to move this where you see fit.
Troy
Refering to information I received today: with Oklahoma's average humidity, we get into the "danger" level of the National Weather Service Heat Index at approximatley 88 degrees outside.
So I just wanted to remind everyone to stay hydrated while at matches as we move into the hot part of the year.
Precautions:
1. Acclimatization to heat takes approximately 14 days (depending on your level of fitness).
2. Don't expect peak performance during hot weather. Blood is shunted to the skin for cooling purposes, and less is delivered to working muscles.
3. Don't take salt tablets unless working in extreme heat for extended periods of time. If using salt tablets, make sure you are taking in alot of water.
4. Clothing should be loose and absorbant. Light colors reflect heat.
5. Drink before, during, and after excercise (or competing).
6. Sunburn adds to the heat load on the body.
7. Humid air prevents the evaporation of sweat.
8. Weigh before and after outdoor activity. For every pound lost, take in 24 oz of fluid.
9. Make sure your sunscreen is not oil-based, as it interferes with the evaporation of sweat.
10. Take in 6-12oz of water every 20 minutes. If you are thirsty....you're behind.
Don't take in obscene amounts of water (drastically more that what is described above). Too much water, when large quantities of sodium have been lost due to sweat, can cause hyponatremia (potentially fatal). If using sports drinks, cut them in half with water.
Keep and eye on your shooting buddies for these signs of Heat Stress:
Heat cramps. Symptoms are painful spasms in muscles. Pupils will dilate with each spasm. Firm pressure on cramping muscles with warm wet towels, gentle stretching, rehydrate with electrolytes.
Heat Exhaustion: Profuse sweating, weakness, hypotension, dizziness, skin cool and wet, weak rapid pulse. Possible nausea and vomiting with headache. Move to cooler enviroment, administer electrolytes, elevate legs above heart level. Seek medical attention.
Heat Stroke: Greatly elevated body temperature, CNS impairment, incoherant speech, confusion, amnesia, delirium, loss of balance, loss of consciousness. Seek medical care RIGHT FREAKING NOW.
Mods: Feel free to move this where you see fit.
Troy
