I got hit with heat stroke today...not fun

[archerm3]

I had a patient croak yesterday from heat stroke, he was in his 50's and was on some medications that complicated heat injuries.

 

[MotorSeven]

I had a patient croak yesterday from heat stroke, he was in his 50's and was on some medications that complicated heat injuries.

Gee Arch...thanks for that tidbit of info............

Shaun, hang in there an get back home. I can't even imagine that kind of heat and wearing the gear y'all have to wear. It makes my old job look like a walk in the park. You have a thankless job, so I want to say THANK-YOU and all the other soldiers fighting for us!

RD

 

[archerm3]

YW.

Be careful out there folks, take it seriously.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

...If you get thirsty during work - it's too late you're already dehydrated...

It was a lot of years ago while I was young and foolish instead of old and foolish, but I remember the company gunny hollering at us, (paraphrased for polite company), "If you're not urinating, you're not drinking enough!"

 

[wedge40]

Just one more thanks to you Shaun.
I have to ask.. Does everyone where pink boxers over there?
Also what do you think of the MRAP? And what version were you guys using?

Wedge

 

[SPYDERLK]

ollow simple rules - WATER, WATER, WATER.

When I know I'm going to be doing a project in the heat I super hydrate the night before- I drink water constantly the night before because I know my body will need this water.

If you get thirsty during work - it's too late you're already dehydrated.

1. Make water a steady part of your everyday diet. Aim for a gallon of fluid a day. If that amount sounds daunting, remember that fruits, vegetables, juices and soups are good sources of fluid as well as traditional water.

We do fruit juice or sweetened iced tea diluted 5 or 10 to one with water. I think it helps hydrate quicker.
larry

 

[Patriotic Stabilist]

It's 101 here today with heat index at 110. I decided to trim trees. I do it 2 or 3 times a year and those babies are smacking me every time I mow. I thought about waiting but it won't cool down likely till September at least or later. But I'm being sensible, work about an hour, come in cool down, keep the truck running and get in and cool off when driving from one tree to the next. I wear a broad brimmed hat, didn't use too and yep about ready for the cold rag on the back of my neck. I try to work outside every week for more days then one, if not down here it would kill me.

The dog is miserable, I think he has figured out its cool in that truck so he wants in. I let him stay in there for awhile, the motor is running. Poor baby, thank goodness he is a short hair.

I read that Lake Travis down by Austin is 31 feet below normal. Texas is getting worried. They said we normally have 12 100 degree days a year but this year about 36 in a row so far and no relief in sight. Man if we get a hurricane with the land this hot and the water it may make the last one look like nothing.

Ok, cool off about a half hour and back out to work probably another house, hope to finish up with the tree trimming this go round.

 

[ZetorShaun]

I do like the MRAPs. I have 3 IMG Maxx Pro Plus MRAPs. I see a lot of Caymans (LMTVs). There are a few Force Pro Cougars, RG 31s (Fords), RG 33L Nyala Pluses, and Cayman Pluses around my outpost. The special teams has Force Pro Buffaloes (Mack) and Huskies. There are some baby Cougars around but not many.

Without details due to security I would say the Cayman Plus would be the best because Caymans have the best A/C. Ha ha. I like my Maxx Pro just fine. All the trucks have their good and bad points but overall it was a good transition. The armored Humvees are still running around too. You guys would totally love the armored front end loaders, backhoes, excavators, etc. that the engineers run.

We keep coolers with water in them but they are very hot. We drink water all the time. We have found the best thing to do is really hydrate the night before.

Thanks everyone, this website has been a real help. We are doing our best. Some troops have it worse than me, some have it better, but it pretty much sucks for everyone.

From left to right: Monix, Hangover, and Toonces

 

[Dargo]

I'd like to add one thing to Tom's reply. Once you've been hit by heat exhaustion your body is more susceptible to it in the future.

I consider myself as having been very fortunate in life. However, pushing myself to having a heat stroke is one thing I really wish I wouldn't have done. I used to actually enjoy going out and running 5 miles on the hottest days. I enjoyed working hard out in the sun on hot days and bragged about losing 6 or 7 pounds a day sometimes working outside. Then, I guess I was in my mid 30's, I pushed it too hard.

I was digging trenches by hand for downspout drains on the west side of a large pole barn. The sun was reflecting heat off of the metal barn and there was no breeze. I did notice that my mouth felt dry and sticky and the dirt on me was no longer turning into mud (from my sweat) but staying dusty. I only had about 5' more to dig, so I started at it even harder so I could finish and go shower. I obviously blacked out because when I came to, I was face down on the ground with a badly broken nose and a searing headache along with nausea and was very dizzy. Nobody was around and I couldn't manage to stand. I crawled/dragged myself to my pickup and drove myself to the hospital, hitting a support column in the Emergency Room drive area.

I got pretty lucky and was released a couple of days later but I've never been the same since. If I try to work very hard in much heat I now get a blinding migraine headache that lasts for days. I can no longer do many things I enjoyed in the summer and each physician I've spoken with has told me that I'll likely always be this way. As others have said, be careful in the heat, even if you've always been fine before. I deeply regret ignoring nearly every sign of an impending heat stroke and continuing to work in the heat. I now feel like a sissy and have to take frequent breaks on really hot days. Learn the signs of heat stroke and take corrective measures immediately if you see any of the signs.

 

[dmccarty]

As others have said but its good to repeat you need to eat/drink to replace the minerals that have been sweated.

Before we lived at our place I would work up to 12 hours in the summer time. I forced myself to eat Cliff and Luna bars though I was not hungry. Drinking water was not hard. The energy bars put the missing minerals back into me.

I don't work those hours any more now that the house is built and we live on the land. I don't eat the energy bars but if it is hot and humid I will make up a "sport drink" to replace the minerals. I have noticed if I DONT drink the sports drink I will get cramps. If I do drink the stuff I don't get cramps are very few with less intensity.

This past weekend I was going to work on Saturday. Got up early and cut a hair cut at 0730. Its an old fashioned country barber shop. Good people but hearing about the barbers prostate problems and how to wee was shall we say "interesting." He is 83 years old and has been cutting hair in the county for 50 years. He knows where the skeletons have buried the skeletons.

Anyhow, got home it was cool but the humidity was in the 90s. The chores that need to get done have been done. The grass can grow another week. Too danged hot for me.

I have also found that keeping the sun off your neck can keep you cool. If that sun heats up your neck it can take you down quick.

Later,
Dan