With the sun beating down, things are going to get hot this summer. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are a constant threat for land surveyors and firefighters, making on-the-job heat stress management paramount. In fact, dehydration accounts for the majority of job-related health incidents during summertime.
Wherever your work takes you, staying properly hydrated and equipping yourself with appropriate cooling gear is crucial.
Up to 60% of the human body is made up of water and even mild dehydration can affect your ability to think clearly. When you are working out in the field, it is important you keep your wits about you for both your own safety and the safety of your team.
In order to stay hydrated, plan to consume about 250ml of water every 15 to 20 minutes. That translates to a little over three 8-ounce servings per hour. It is important to keep drinking – even if you do not feel thirsty – and take breaks as often as needed.
Additionally, it is a good idea to drink plenty of fluids in the hours leading up to your shift to avoid starting the workday already dehydrated. Try to limit caffeine intake before and during your workday because it has a diuretic effect that can cause dehydration more quickly. Drink cool water or an electrolyte drink during your shift and take frequent breaks to rest up and eat a healthy snack.
If it is difficult to make time to step aside and drink from a water bottle or cooler during work, consider a wearable hydration solution like the SECO Hydration Pack. Designed to be worn on the back, this hydration pack is made from durable Cordura Nylon with polypropylene webbing on the adjustable shoulder straps and a neoprene sleeve to protect the hydration tube. It features reflective tape for safety and carries up to 2.5 liters of your liquid of choice.
While "drinking fluids to stay hydrated" on a hot day is, of course, a no-brainer, it is important to consider the type of fluids you are drinking. Studies show that cool water rather than ice-cold water is absorbed faster and better for hydration. If you are worried about replenishing your electrolytes, try mixing cool water with Gatorade Single Serve Powder Packets. The Gatorade Thirst Quencher formula is proven to hydrate better than water and contains carbohydrates that stimulate rapid fluid absorption and replace the electrolytes lost by sweating.
If you prefer a good old-fashioned water bottle, be sure to choose one that will keep your water cool. It may also be a good idea to choose a water bottle that holds at least 800ml (27 ounces) because if you drink from it frequently and refill the bottle about once every hour, you will be getting the recommended intake of fluid to stay hydrated.
With hydration in check, let's talk gear.
Unfortunately, safety gear for land surveying and firefighting is often not conducive to heat stress management, so you may need to make some adjustments.
Here are some suggestions:
Whatever your preferred type of heat stress management gear, it is important to ensure the products you select do not interfere with your ability to perform your job safely and accurately. If at any time you feel that your cooling gear is hindering your performance, remove the gear and focus instead on following the hydration tips from the previous section.
If you work an outdoor job, you will need to find a way to work with the weather, hot as it may be. Stocking up on hydration essentials and choosing the right gear is key to heat stress management during the summer months. The dangers of heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very real, but you can easily avoid these conditions by following the advice provided throughout this article.
