Focus on Health: Intense summer heat hits MCLB Barstow

Photo By Sgt. Jack Adamyk | Paramedics with Fire and Emergency Services treat an injured Marine who was showing symptoms of a heat related illness after a NO MORE 5K run held aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., April 20.  

BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

06.14.2018

Story by Laurie Pearson  

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Summer temperatures are already soaring in the High Desert and the scorching temperatures bring serious concerns for military and civilian personnel who work outdoors aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration documented temperatures as high as 115 degrees, with a relative humidity of a mere 2 percent, at their recording station located at Barstow-Daggett Airport. However, employees posted pictures of their vehicle thermometers registering 119 degrees on base, and personnel working in Railway Operations recorded temperatures as high as 125 degrees. Thermometer readings do not take into account other issues which work together to create even hotter conditions for those stuck outside.
“People don’t realize how incredibly hot it gets out at Railway Operations,” said Chad Hildebrandt, RailOps supervisor. “We’ve got the blazing sun driving temperatures to over 115 degrees, plus the metal railcars and concrete reflecting heat, so the actual ambient temperatures for us last summer were close to 130 degrees.”
2017’s five hottest days of summer - Barstow-Daggett Airport

Hottest Days Summer 2017 Maximum Temperature Minimum Relative Humidity (afternoon)
6-20-2017 115° 2%
7-07-2017 114° 7%
6-23-2017 114° 4%
6-21-2017 114° 2%
7-16-2017 113° 7%
Graphic Courtesy: Alex Boothe, NOAA meteorologist
With the heat and relatively low humidity found in the High Desert, comes the potential for heat-related illnesses and injuries, including dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“The heat in Barstow, or any desert region, is very dry. This is a different kind of heat from what I am used to in Florida and the East Coast,” said Gunnery Sgt. Justin Kratzer, radio maintenance chief and martial arts instructor trainer. “With the dryness of the heat, it hits you like a wall when you walk outside, so when it’s 90 degrees, it really feels like 90 degrees. On the other hand, when you’re in an area near the beach or lake, the water evaporates into the air, increasing the humidity levels and making it feel like you’re sitting in a sauna, so when it’s 75 degrees, it really feels like it’s 85 or 90 degrees.”
Because of the dry heat, perspiration is not as visible and it increases the chances that one may overlook sweat evaporation and lose track of their hydration level.
“Dehydration can occur when the body loses too much fluid,” explained Shelley Lamey, Semper Fit Gym director. “Symptoms of mild dehydration include increased thirst, dry mouth, sticky saliva and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine that also has a higher odor.”
Some of the signs of moderate dehydration include more extreme thirst, a dry appearance inside the mouth, and a lack of eye moisture so the eyes will not produce tears. There is a further decrease in urination, while the color and odor continue to get darker and stronger.
“This may be accompanied by lightheadedness, irritability, restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, and arms or legs that feel cool to the touch,” Lamey said. “By the time a person becomes severely dehydrated, there is no longer enough fluid in the body to get blood to the vital organs. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.”
Prevention and treatment start with the same basics: hydration and electrolytes. Proper hydration is based on a few variables such as height, weight, fitness level and amount of outdoor activity in the heat. For the High Desert heat and lack of humidity, Michelle Wolfe, nurse with Occupational Health on base, recommends 128 ounces (one gallon) of water per day.
“The recommended water to electrolyte beverage ratio is 3:1,” Wolfe said. “Have three bottles of water to one sports drink to ensure that your electrolytes aren’t depleted throughout the day because that can cause a whole other set of issues.”
Electrolytes are substances that conduct an electrical current in the body and help to facilitate nervous system functioning, maintain proper fluid and acid-base balance, and allow muscles to contract. Many minerals act as electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium. These minerals can be found in some sports recovery drinks, but there are also many food sources which contain the nutrients as well.

Examples of foods high in electrolytes
Sodium: Potassium: Chloride: Calcium:
Canned tuna Orange Juice Seaweed Kale
Canned salmon Raisins Rye Swiss Chard
Soup Bananas Tomatoes Arugula
Beans Medjool Dates Lettuce Cheese
Dill Pickles Sweet Potatoes Celery Spinach
Olive Beets Sea Salt Seeds
Tomato Juice Potatoes with Skin Soups Collard Greens

Once dehydration and electrolyte imbalance has reached the point of heat-related illness, measures must be taken to ensure the health and safety of the individual.
“Heat exhaustion occurs when a person cannot sweat enough to cool the body,” Lamey said. “Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, pale cool and moist skin. If not treated properly, moderate to severe heat exhaustion can sometimes lead to heatstroke, which requires emergency treatment.”
Heat exhaustion can quickly escalate to heat stroke if not treated properly. Heat stroke is life-threatening and the first step to treatment is calling 911 immediately. Rather than spending valuable time trying to assess just how bad someone is, Wolfe said that it’s important to call 911 first, then continue assessing and treating until paramedics arrive.
“You’re actually starting to literally cook brain cells,” said Greg Kunkel, Emergency Medical Services chief. “You’ll start seeing core temperatures of 105, 106, and they need to be rapidly cooled. At 106 degrees, brain cells begin to die. They may even go into a seizure.”
It is important to note that when 911 is dialed from a cellular phone, it is routed through California Highway Patrol, and they will not be aware of the caller’s location. The first information to be relayed to 911 is that there is a heat-related illness and the location of the patient. Once the call is placed to 911, then other steps should be taken immediately to ensure that the patient has the best chance of healing and recovering successfully.
“Your body sweats, a breeze blows across it and it creates convective cooling. It’s like a swamp cooler. That’s what you’re trying to recreate for a patient. Get them into shade, or into air conditioning if possible,” said Kunkel. “Take off as much clothing as possible. Apply water externally as well, with cool damp cloths, to simulate sweat and help cool them down. Go back to the basics, as you watch the patient: airway, breathing, circulation. Make sure they can maintain an airway, because they may be unconscious and you don’t want them to choke on vomit, for instance. Make sure they’re breathing and have circulation by checking their pulse. Otherwise, focus on rapid cooling. If they’re conscious, then give them just small sips of water.”
One of the best methods of mitigating heat is to plan ahead and refer to weather forecasts.
“Plan to do strenuous work in the morning when it is cooler, and lighten the workload as the day, and heat, progresses,” Wolfe said. “Be prepared to not be able to do strenuous work outdoors in the afternoon. Plan accordingly.”
Kunkel also suggests paying close attention to work-rest cycles during high heat. The hotter it gets, the less individuals should engage in physical labor and increase rest intervals instead. During the rest periods, cool down and hydrate.
Despite working 10 – 12 hours per day in the heat, personnel from Railway Operations have never had any heat-related casualties, injuries or illnesses. In part, they begin their workdays at 6 a.m. when it is cooler, but they generally work until 6 p.m., throughout the heat of the day.
“My crew is very accustomed to the heat conditions here at MCLB Barstow as most of them were born and raised here,” Hildebrandt said. “When units from other locations come to train or utilize the railhead, we re-enforce hydration and proper eating, which is another key aspect of fighting off heat injuries. We stress the proper hydration with water and limiting sugary soft drinks and energy drinks which helps to keep all personnel safe. The use of proper clothing, such as loose-fitting, long sleeves and covers is vital for reducing the chances of heat exposure. We also keep a close eye on one another and maintain a "Brother's Keeper" mentality on the railhead.”
When rotational units are operating on the railhead for training, or mission purposes, they also assign medical staff to Hildebrandt, and they maintain multiple cooling areas for personnel, as well as several sources for water and ice. If anyone has a heat-related event, they are transported to MCLB Barstow’s Fire Station 402 which is directly adjacent to the railhead, for immediate treatment.
“The key to all of this is prevention,” Kunkel said. “Plan ahead, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, especially water, find shade and other ways to allow your body to cool off. Pay close attention to work and rest ratios and keep an eye out for one another.”
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• Date Taken: 06.14.2018
• Date Posted: 06.18.2018 15:58
• Story ID: 281388
• Location: BARSTOW, CA, US