Heat Injuries and Hydration

[ImperialMistress]

Please everyone take note of this thread in preparation for CV. I lived in florida for 4 years and whoever had the bright idea to have the convention in the middle of august down there needs to be drug out into the street and stoned. Seriously. Even in street clothes the heat and humidity make you loose your breath when you walk outside. Make sure you hydrate up if you plan on walking to the con, but I know most hotels offer shuttles and I would suggest making use of them instead. Yeah it may take a little longer, but safety first.

I don't have a camelback as of yet, but its on my "will purchase once extra finances come in" list. Last year at Trek Fest the heat index was about 110-112 and sweat was pouring down my face under my helmet. The way I kept at least a little cool was my fans in my chestbox that goes up through my hoses and blows directly onto my neck. Also I bought some of those little blue gel freezer packs. I got about 6 of them, and they fit really easily into the pockets of my jumpsuit and it helped to at least have some cold against my chest and my legs. Though in that heat they melted in less than an hour but thankfully that was all I needed to get through the parade.

As far as worrying about needing to "go" once in uniform, I honestly never think about it while I'm trooping so I think my body just automatically shuts that signal off because it knows there is nothing I can do about it. However after a troop there is usually a mad dash for whatever restroom is available. I mean at least you men have it a little easier than us girls, so tell those clonies to quit whinin!

Good luck you guys, and stay safe out there.

[phantom1007]

Did some promo shots with a local baseball team couple of weekends ago. Temp was 98 plus that fine Georgia humidity. Standing at the batter box i started to smell something funny. I had my fans running so I figured it was pulling in a smell from outside. Well to my surprise it wasnt outside it was me. My helmet was melting in the heat. I put my hand up on top of the lid and felt a soft spot where the heat was melting my lid on my head. I quickly got out of there. Once I got to the shade if started to harden back up. I was only standing there for 20 mins.

[Blackwatch]

Jhon Im just now seeing this and this worries me.
I know its hotter today than it was during MC.

Once a person has thier first heat triggered event, they are more susceptable to it. BUT you will know the warning signs coming on.
I got overheated on Saturday mowing and had to move inside. I had my first heat injury in Basic Training in 84 so I knew my signs and was too hot and too red when I got inside.

[Targ]

and it doesn't stop there either. We of a grandeur size must take into account the pain of chaffing. I solve this with a spreading of corn starch in all those hard to reach places so take care.

[Blackwatch]

we have a brillaint product here in La called Beudrueax's Butt Paste. I laughed when I first saw it after moving here.

I dont laugh at it anymore.

Stores sell out of it this time of year and LSU Campus carries it at the bookstore due to all the walking on the no-vehicle campus. It not only prevents chafing but will heal a gnarly rash overnight.

[Theran_Bakagin]

While I don't have a lot of 501st experience, I have been a Medieval armored combatant for 15 years, both with steel/leather and heavy canvas armors (SCA fighting--heavy armor and period fencing). I'm a born desert dweller (Dune Sea Garrison, Arizona). There are a couple laws that my mentor uses for us 1) The sun is not your friend 2) If you don't have to go, you aren't drinking enough. Ok they are over simplified, but still the point is there.

A hint with Gatorade (not sure about Powerade) is that if the drink tastes sweet, you had better keep drinking it! I hear people all the time saying "I tried Gatorade, but it tasted like I was drinking an aluminum can." That's good, you didn't NEED it. Gatorade is formualted in a way that if your body needs the electrolytes, it tastes better. Once the stuff starts to taste funky, you have re-balanced your electrolytes.

One thing that I have found, if you are trying to avoid the sugar aspects of the athletic drinks is SmartWater by Glaceau. Basically electrolyte infused water, so no odd flavors, but also no clues as to how much you need it.

[Armor Driver]

I use a cool vest that you soak in cold water when I wear my vader and under my tie jumpsuit in summer,
and I find that a great help too keep cool ,also as a Garrison we organise to bring an Esky filled with ice and water for the troops.

Mine is similar to this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-ALLEGRO-INDU ... 1e5d79cd48

[skithas]

I use a cool vest that you soak in cold water when I wear my vader and under my tie jumpsuit in summer,
and I find that a great help too keep cool ,also as a Garrison we organise to bring an Esky filled with ice and water for the troops.

Mine is similar to this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-ALLEGRO-INDU ... 1e5d79cd48

Love that idea. Thanks!

[erikstormtrooper]

Did some promo shots with a local baseball team couple of weekends ago. Temp was 98 plus that fine Georgia humidity. Standing at the batter box i started to smell something funny. I had my fans running so I figured it was pulling in a smell from outside. Well to my surprise it wasnt outside it was me. My helmet was melting in the heat. I put my hand up on top of the lid and felt a soft spot where the heat was melting my lid on my head. I quickly got out of there. Once I got to the shade if started to harden back up. I was only standing there for 20 mins.

Phantom, what kind of helmet do you have that it started to melt?

[Volund Starfire]

In Basic, then again when I went to play in he Sandbox, we had people falling out all the time from heat injuries. Well, it really reinforced the old saying: Some people can read and learn, some people can see and learn, and some people just have to try peeing on an electric fence to learn. Well, in this case, the electric fence is the heat.

My first troop, even though it was as a Rebel, was at a dual-event day. At the Special Olympics event, it was only 103. I was dying, but I knew the stormies, the tree-dodger, and the black-suit Officer had to be dying. Thank Bob my Vader wasn't done yet. Later that day, we appeared at a AAA Baseball Game. Going from a high school field to a tarmac and concrete... It was only 120 in the sun. After throwing out the first pitch, Vader almost fell-out.

The moral of this story? Stick with the jumpsuit and say no to the leather/wool suit? No, stay hydrated and try to keep your core cool. Whether by camelbak, canteen, drinking fountain, air conditioning, ice packs, wet t-shirt contest/drenching, or whatever. If you are out in the heat and sweating for an hour or more, drink Gatorade. If your stream is yellow, drink more the moment you finish your download. Drink a lot before a troop to get your body saturated/well hydrated (but be careful of water intoxication).

Oh, and avoid salt tablets. The myth is that it helps, the truth is that it doesn't. Unless you are in combat in the middle of the sesert with low water supplies, all you will do is make yourself sick and swell under your gloves and boots.

[G'KAR]

I just come across this..
http://www.coolshirt.net/
would this be of use when trooping in hot weather?

[skithas]

I just come across this..
http://www.coolshirt.net/
would this be of use when trooping in hot weather?

Reminds me of the fictional cooling vests from the Battletech/MechWarrior universe. Different coolant, same idea.