Heat Kills – Be Smart Outside – Don’t Drink More Water.

HEAT Alert! It’s going to be a scorcher this week in Washington. If we learned anything in the Army, and at the Heat Center of Excellence in Fort Benning, GA – HEAT KILLS. Be Smart out there. If you have to go out in the heat, be prepared. Remember — it’s generally NOT a hydration issue. This is NOT the solution to every heat injury on the planet. If you feel overheated, you probably are. Don’t force water on someone who’s already drinking and have enough on hand. Let’s bust this myth now!

1. HEAT is the number 1 cause of heat stroke – not dehydration.
   • too much heat disrupts body’s thermoregulation. Heat generally comes from outside environment or you make it by exerting yourself.
   • being dehydrated may make you increase metabolic heat but that’s about it.
2. Hot water > body temperature will make you HOTTER!
   • Again, think. If you drink hot water, say 104F and your body is 102F, do you think that will cool you down?
3. Dumping Cold Water (and fanning) on your head will cool you faster than drinking it.
   • If you drink it, cold water will cool you yes, but removing heat from the GI tract (esophagus) is painfully slow.
   • Think about the Beer bottle. If you want to remove the warmness of the bottle, what’s the best way?

Which will cool the beer faster? Ice bath or Cozy Cuzzee?

Tips in Combating Heat Injuries (while still enjoying the outdoors) ☀️ 🌞 ☀️

1. Don’t go outside and exert yourself if you don’t have to.
2. Don’t drink too much water – Drink to Thirst 💦
3. If you feel overheated, you probably are. Stop, get in the shade and cool down.
4. Take whatever water you have and douse on head and fan yourself with anything you have. 🚿 💦
5. Get help! 🚑

This is a great tip to have fun in the heat but also be safe.

Combating Heat Injuries: Protecting Performance – Reduce Heat Load and Drink to Thirst