Hot Weather Risks
Hot Weather Risks
As the summers are approaching and the tempratures have started to rise,so it will have its effects on our bodies.In order to perform our duties safely and efficiently we need to understand this change in weather and acknowledge the effects and risks associated with it. Because if we are mindful of the fact that our bodies need to adapt with this change only then we shall be able to do requisite measures to counter it. I will not be discussing the risks associated to ground/air crew specifically but some general topics will be covered which apply to all of us working on the bases.Risks from hot weather include:
Dehydration
Burning of the skin
Heat stroke
This is the loss of water from the body, and with it important blood salts like potassium and sodium which play a vital role in the function of organs such as the kidneys, brain and heart.
It can lead to confusion, lethargy and problems with breathing and heart rate. Production of urine and sweat decreases to conserve fluid.
Under normal circumstances the sweat we produce when we get hot keeps us cool when it evaporates from the surface of our skin. However, on extremely hot days, when we become dehydrated, or when we over-exert ourselves, this system can fail, and body temperature can start to climb to dangerous levels. This leads to heat stroke or exhaustion. This can cause headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps, but it can also be life-threatening.
Heat stroke is particularly dangerous because symptoms can come on very rapidly, and - unless you are watching for the signs - with very little warning.
Not only is sunburn painful, it can accelerate the ageing process, and increase the risk of skin cancer, including the potentially fatal form, melanoma.
Symptoms
Your body is affected by the temperature of the environment around you, resulting in the following as it rises :
Ambient temp: 20 ° C (68F) Comfortable. Heart rate normal.
25 ° C (77F) Light sweating.
30 ° C
As the summers are approaching and the tempratures have started to rise,so it will have its effects on our bodies.In order to perform our duties safely and efficiently we need to understand this change in weather and acknowledge the effects and risks associated with it. Because if we are mindful of the fact that our bodies need to adapt with this change only then we shall be able to do requisite measures to counter it. I will not be discussing the risks associated to ground/air crew specifically but some general topics will be covered which apply to all of us working on the bases.Risks from hot weather include:
Dehydration
Burning of the skin
Heat stroke
This is the loss of water from the body, and with it important blood salts like potassium and sodium which play a vital role in the function of organs such as the kidneys, brain and heart.
It can lead to confusion, lethargy and problems with breathing and heart rate. Production of urine and sweat decreases to conserve fluid.
Under normal circumstances the sweat we produce when we get hot keeps us cool when it evaporates from the surface of our skin. However, on extremely hot days, when we become dehydrated, or when we over-exert ourselves, this system can fail, and body temperature can start to climb to dangerous levels. This leads to heat stroke or exhaustion. This can cause headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps, but it can also be life-threatening.
Heat stroke is particularly dangerous because symptoms can come on very rapidly, and - unless you are watching for the signs - with very little warning.
Not only is sunburn painful, it can accelerate the ageing process, and increase the risk of skin cancer, including the potentially fatal form, melanoma.
Symptoms
Your body is affected by the temperature of the environment around you, resulting in the following as it rises :
Ambient temp: 20 ° C (68F) Comfortable. Heart rate normal.
25 ° C (77F) Light sweating.
30 ° C