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JBSA News
NEWS | April 29, 2011

Heat presents significant health risks

502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

As the temperatures continue to increase in South Texas, Airmen must take precautions against heat related incidents.

Maj. (Dr.) Kevin Fajardo, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, said there are three basic heat injuries: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

The injuries are a continuation of each other, with heat cramps being the least severe, and heat stroke being a medical emergency.

He said the warning signs of heat cramps include cramping of the muscles, particularly in the legs. As more salt and water are lost by sweating, heat exhaustion can occur, which can be noted by any of the following: more muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, heavy sweating, and sometimes confusion.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and it may be difficult to tell it apart from severe heat exhaustion.

Some typical symptoms are loss of sweating with red, hot skin, confusion, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fast heart rate and fainting. Seizures can also occur in heat stroke victims.

Dr. Fajardo said the most important thing to do when someone is experiencing a heat injury is to cool them down as fast as possible and call for medical attention immediately.

This includes removal of any thick clothing, moving them into the shade or inside an air conditioned room, and cooling them by pouring cold water on their head, neck and torso while fanning them.
For less severe cases of heat exhaustion, the person should take small sips of cold water, if able.

Following a heat injury, people are more susceptible to subsequent heat injuries for many days following the event so it is important that they are seen by a physician as soon as possible, and avoid heat exposure until medically cleared to resume normal activities.

To prevent heat injuries, education and awareness are key:

· Keep well hydrated by drinking 3-6 quarts of water per day, and eat a balanced, nutritious diet.

· Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight.

· Avoid taking dietary supplements.

· Avoid getting sunburned, which impairs your body's normal cooling system.

· Be aware of the temperature and humidity outside, and do not engage in vigorous activity for prolonged periods of time during the hottest parts of the day. For example, jog in the morning rather than in the afternoon or at lunch time.

· Adhere to the activity restrictions set by the current flag condition.

· Remember that it takes a few weeks of regular outdoor activity to acclimate to the summer Texas heat, so start exercising early, and build up slowly.

At Lackland, flags are posted to signal the degree of heat intensity.

Dr. Fajardo said Airmen must make adjustments to their exercise regimens and time of day they exercise, and commanders and training supervisors must adhere to the activity restrictions set by the current flag condition.

"Flag conditions are vital to ensuring that an Airman's physical activity level is restricted based on the outdoor temperature/humidity level. They help ensure that our Airmen conduct their missions and training in a manner that protects them from experiencing heat injuries," he said.

These flags are flown in accordance with Air Education and Training Command Instruction 48-101 and indicate training requirements for hot environments.

Colors, temperature readings, hazard explanations and work-rest requirements are:

White flag
78-81.9 ˚F
Easy work
No work limits
1/2 quart of water per hour
Moderate work
No work limits
3/4 quart of water per hour
Hard work
40 minutes of work to 20 minutes of rest
3/4 quart of water per hour

Green flag
82-84.9 ˚F
Easy work
No work limits
1/2 quart of water per hour
Moderate work
50 minutes of work to 10 minutes of rest
3/4 quart of water per hour
Hard work
30 minutes of work to 30 minutes of rest
1 quart of water per hour

Yellow flag
85-87.9 ˚F
Easy work
No work limits
3/4 quart of water per hour
Moderate work
40 minutes of work to 20 minutes of rest
3/4 quart of water per hour
Hard work
30 minutes of work to 30 minutes of rest
1 quart of water per hour

Red flag
88-89.9 ˚F
Easy work
No work limits
3/4 quart of water per hour
Moderate work
30 minutes of work to 30 minutes of rest
3/4 quart of water per hour
Hard work
20 minutes of work to 40 minutes of rest
1 quart of water per hour

Black flag
>90 ˚F
Easy work
50 minutes of work to 10 minutes of rest
1 quart of water per hour
Moderate work
20 minutes of work to 40 minutes of rest
1 quart of water per hour
Hard work
10 minutes of work to 50 minutes of rest
1 quart of water per hour