Outdoor Safety
Be Cool, Stay Safe
Having fun is what summer is all about. People will be heading off to beaches, cookouts, and campgrounds. This season, the Military Health System is helping service members and families to take care of each other by encouraging co-workers, families, and friends to make the summer season fun, make it safe!
The period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day poses the potential for greater risks to service members because that's when many people schedule vacations to enjoy off-duty activities. It's a period when many service members transfer to new locations (because school is out, hence, more families are on the road traveling between duty stations). It's when service members visit family and loved ones and often travel for longer periods than they should without rest or a break. It's also a time for beach parties, cookouts and summer parties, which often combine alcohol consumption, hot weather, and high-risk activities.
Service members and families should take extra care this summer regarding UV safety, preventing heat exhaustion, being safe on or near the water, and avoiding West Nile virus and other insect-borne diseases.
Use the resources below to "be cool and stay safe" this summer!
Heat Exhaustion – Combating the Summer Sun
As troops deploy to desert locations, and as we all enjoy activities in the summer sun, the MHS has a renewed focus in promoting the prevention of heat exhaustion.
The daytime temperature in Iraq in July is often 112 degrees Fahrenheit. And it only falls to around 90 degrees by nightfall. While the working uniforms of the military are for day-to-day use, the clothing can make service members feel extremely warm. To combat the heat, service members should remember to:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid sunburn and wear sunscreen
- Seek cool locations and shade
For all who are exposed to the sun – whether military or civilian – be mindful of the possibility of heat exhaustion. Symptoms include:
- Heavy sweating
- Faintness
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Low-grade fever
- Headache
- Skin flushed and moist
The most common cause of heat exhaustion is overexertion in warm temperatures. Additional causes include dehydration, alcohol use in hot weather, and overdressing. It is especially important to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, as untreated it can lead to heat stroke (when the body reaches 104 degrees), which can be fatal.
In 2007, 1,853 non-deployed soldiers reported cases of heat exhaustion, according to a 2008 presentation titled “U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command: Heat Stroke in the Military Population,” by retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, Medical Corps commanding general. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment located at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif., ensures they follow heat safety regulations, even though in training Soldiers are required to wear all their protective gear. As it easily reaches above 100 degrees in the summer months, Ft. Irwin closely monitors water intake from the lowest to highest service level, implementing “forced hydration,” where leadership will sit and watch soldiers drink to ensure proper hydration. Service members and civilians who think they have heat exhaustion should immediately move to the shade, drink cool water (never caffeinated beverages) and remove any layered clothing, if possible. It is also important to avoid “hot spots” like the interior of a car, which can easily heat to 200 degrees sitting in the summer sun.
The chart above, available from the Army National Guard (ARNG), provides specific information on the recommendations of hourly water intake related to outside temperature and labor level. See more from the ARNG at www.hooah4health.com.
A Message From the Air Force Chief of Staff
Resources Across the MHS and Its Partners
From Around the MHS
Department of Defense and Beyond
 | Air Force Safety Center -This year's critical days of summer campaign will focus on PMV operations, fatigue, alcohol and water safety. Fatality rates over the past 12 years have demonstrated the transition from spring to summer can be a very serious and deadly time for both motorcycle and vehicle operators. Fatalities in these areas typically double during the summer months. It's best to be prepared ... and "Live to Play, Play to Live." |
 | Army Summer Safety Program -Feature articles, posters and public service announcements focusing on more than 20 summer safety topics. These products are meant to bolster your command’s existing safety program by providing information on topics which your Soldiers, Family Members and Civilians may enjoy during their off duty time. |
 | Naval Safety Center - Find out more about the Naval Safety Center 2009 Summer Safety campaign including presentations, videos, and articles. |
 | U.S. Coast Guard -Boating Safety -Learn how to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities while boating. Review safety tips, news, recalls, defects, and laws and regulations you should know. |
 | Hooah4Health – Seasonal Resources - Find spring and summer safety resources and hints. |
 | Military OneSource -Military OneSource is a one-stop, 24/7 resource for service members and their families. Check out the following articles on protecting yourself from overexposure to the sun. |
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