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Summer is upon us, and many Sailors may choose to capitalize on the warm weather to go out and have fun with friends and family. Whether at work on the ship, or out having a good time, there are some pressing safety concerns all Sailors should be aware of as they brave the summer heat.
Heat related illnesses are some of the most common injuries in the summer months.
“There are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Lt. Stephanie Horigan, the ship's nurse assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). “Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat illness, and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during, or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat. They can be treated with rest and hydration. Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps and results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It’s characterized by muscle cramps with profuse sweating, nausea and lightheadedness. Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.”
There are several important steps that should be taken to care for someone suffering from heat stroke.
“Move the victim to a cooler area, remove their boots and excess clothing, and place cool packs on the patients neck, armpits and groin,” said Horigan. “If the patient is able, have them drink a cool, non-caffeinated beverage. Call a medical emergency.”
Over-exertion is one of the primary causes of these heat-related conditions.
“To help protect against heat stress and more advanced conditions, limit physical activity during hot conditions,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch and Recovery) Mckenzie Rhymer, the departmental leading chief petty officer of the Safety department aboard George Washington. “Very strenuous activities should be postponed, especially if heat exceeds 90 degrees. Continue to assess situations and be alert for any health risks.”
The other primary cause of heat-related illnesses is dehydration.
“Proper hydration is the number one key to preventing a heat stress injury,” said Horigan. “Sailors should match every caffeinated beverage with water. Think of a one-to-one ratio.”
Being dehydrated, particularly during hot weather, can lead to a variety of health problems.
“Make sure to drink water frequently,” said Rhymer. “Dehydration can make you more susceptible to oxygen deficiency, heat-related illness and other negative conditions.”
If you aren’t sure how much water is enough for your body, there are ways to tell.
“Pay attention to your urine,” said Horigan. “If you are not urinating as much as you normally do, or if your urine is dark, then you need to drink more water. If you are thirsty you need to drink more. Keep in mind that thirst lags behind dehydration.”
While dehydration is something one must be cognizant of while outdoors, it isn’t the only factor in hot-weather safety. Another danger of time out in the sun is sunburn.
“Dangers include developing melanoma (skin cancer), infections, and premature wrinkles,” said Horigan. “Prevent sun damage by using sunscreen, avoiding peak sun hours (12 p.m. to 2 p.m.) and wearing a hat whenever possible.”
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it’s natural for Sailors and their families to want to go out and enjoy beach season.
There are a number of potential health risks that a Sailor can encounter in the summer, whether it be a heat-related illness, dehydration, sunburn or otherwise. However, with the proper attention and precautions, there’s no reason why summer can’t be both safe and fun for everyone.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.05.2018 10:31 |
| Story ID: | 283316 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beat the Heat: Staying Safe in the Summer, by PO2 Adam Ferrero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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