EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURE ON PERSONNEL AND RATION STORAGE

File: aaalm_08.txt
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Total Pages: 21
5.   Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration. The soldier himself will not
sense when he is dehydrated and will fail to replace body water losses even when
drinking water is readily available. This "voluntary" dehydration (2-5%) can be
expected under field conditions. It is therefore necessary to have the regular and
timely administration of fluids the responsibility of the unit CO/NCO. This should be
done according to the guidelines provided.

6.   In addition, body temperature can rise very rapidly because of the
combination of excessive climatic temperature and continuous physical activity.
Even while sweating and drinking, the heat loss to the air may not equal the
accumulation of body heat. In order to prevent this continuous rise in body
temperature, it is mandatory to minimize the heat production. Providing adequate
and recurrent rest periods, or going into shaded, cooler places are effective
countermeasures.


OPERATIONAL CAUSES OF HEAT ILLNESS & INJURY:

1.   Lack of heat acclimatization, especially recruits or recent arrivals.

2.   Sustained performance of tasks, especially physically demanding ones,
without adequate rest periods. Exhaustion predisposes to heat illness and
heatstroke/death.

3.   Inadequate water supplies.

4.   Inadequate supervision of water intake, rest and food intake.

5.   Breakdown in preventive medicine.


COMMON PREVENTIVE MEDICINE ISSUES & GUIDANCE:

HYDRATION & ELECTROLYTE BALANCE

1.   Dehydration reduces sweating, limits regulation of body temperature and
predisposes to heat injury. Dehydration can incapacitate a normal person within 3
hours without drinking. If possible, carry 4 qts. of water or more. Desert water
bags will keep water as cool as the prevailing wet bulb temperature, at a cost of
about 20% of the bag's water contents lost to the process of evaporative cooling.

2.   Soldiers may not feel thirsty even though large amounts of body fluid are
lost. Thirst does not occur until 1.5 quarts of body water are lost and this can
occur within one hour of work.


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