Take steps to avoid heat-related illness  

      In peacetime, an average of one Soldier a year dies during training, according to the Department of the Army, Headquarters, U.S. Army Medical Command. During Operation Iraqi Freedom I, six Soldiers died from heat-related causes. Many other Soldiers suffered from heat strokes, and other heat-related injuries.

      A number of excellent guides exist to help units and unit members avoid heat injuries, said Melissa Moore, Fort McCoy Preventive Medicine specialist and registered nurse for mobilizing and demobilizing troops. 

      One of the guides can be found at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Web site at http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/heat/. This includes heat prevention products and TB MED 507, "Heat Stress Control and Heat Casualty Management," which can be found under Army Policy Memoranda.

      Heat injury prevention is a command responsibility in the Army. Moore said units should begin assessing the heat category when the ambient air temperature rises above 75 degrees. Commanders should assess those personnel who will be at greatest risk because of a previous heat-related incident or other risk factors including heat acclimation, poor overall fitness, overweight, minor illnesses, alcohol use in past 24 hours, skin disorders or older than 40.

      Units should know the proper rest or work/exercise cycles to follow during hot weather. The Army recommends Soldiers remain properly hydrated. Soldiers should not, however, drink more than one and one-half quarts of water an hour nor more than 12 quarts in a day, which can lead to water intoxication. Personnel also should be aware that wearing body armor or mission-oriented protective posture equipment can effectively raise the heat index, as well as body temperatures, and increase the risk of heat injuries.

      The acronym HEAT, which stands for Heat category, Exertion level, Acclimatization and Time of heat exposure and recovery time, can help units train safely in hot weather.

      The Fort McCoy Installation Safety Office recommends units be aware of overexertion during hot weather, such as trying to do too many activities in a short time frame. The Army Risk Management Process, which includes 1) Identifying the hazards, 2) Assessing hazards, 3) Developing controls and making risk assessments, 4) Implementing controls and 5) Supervising and evaluating, can help reduce or eliminate risks.

      A schedule should be developed to acclimate personnel to hot weather activities.

When temperatures surpass 90 degrees the following actions are recommended:

• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day. If such activity is unavoidable, drink plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas. Consider monitoring body weight and oral temperature. A weight loss of more than two pounds or an oral temperature above 99 degrees is cause for concern.

• To avoid dehydration, a conscious effort should be made to drink more fluids during hot weather. Rapid weight loss may be a sign of dehydration. Do not rely on your body telling you it is thirsty.

• Use fans to increase ventilation unless temperatures exceed 90 degrees at which point fans become ineffective in reducing heat-related illness.

• Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and light colored, loose clothing to help stay cool.

• Cool showers, baths and sponge baths can be used to reduce body temperatures. In addition, wet clothing has a cooling effect.

• Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and seek medical help immediately when symptoms appear. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fainting, rash, fatigue and nausea. Skin may become clammy and moist or hot and dry. 

• If heat-related symptoms appear, immediate action should be taken to reduce body temperature. The above recommendations should be adequate to relieve mild symptoms. However, symptoms such as dizziness, weakness and fatigue are early warning signs that should not be ignored. Onset of heat stroke can be rapid and may progress to life-threatening illness within minutes. Serious cases require emergency medical care.

      For more information on heat-related health concerns, visit the following Web sites maintained by other agencies and organizations.

      Extreme Heat Web site. Maintained by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov and search extreme heat.

      Protecting Workers in Hot Environments. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration at: http://www.osha.gov.

      Working in Hot Environments. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at: http://www.cdc.gov. and search working in hot environments.

      Mobilized or demobilized Soldiers at Fort McCoy also can contact Moore at (608) 388-3871 or Sonja Salvino, Environmental Health, (608) 388-6143 for more information.

      The Troop Medical Clinic, building 2669, also has a large amount of written material ((608) 388-3128/3025) about heat prevention for unit and Soldiers for information.

      The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature heat index can be obtained from Range Operations or by calling (608) 388-4848.

      Civilian employees at Fort McCoy can contact the Occupational and Health Nursing Office at (608) 388-3209 or 388-2414 or visit building 1679 for more information about heat-related injury issues.

(Some information in this story was submitted by the Monroe County Health Department)