We're having a HEATWAVE

As the temperature heats up so do our chances for heat related injury. Adults, children and the elderly should take great care when being exposed to the outdoor conditions. If you are going to be working or playing in the heat for a long period of time, you are exposing yourself to heat related risks.

"While working in the extreme heat, I often find that I'm not able to work as hard and can only give 50 percent of myself in a normal work day," said GSM2 Eric Colvin of the NAS Jax Recycling Center.

Everyone should familiarize themselves, family members and friends of some of the warning signs of heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. Recognizing the symptoms and warning signs will help to reduce injuries or fatalities. The warning signs come in stages. However the most extreme injuries are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The symptoms you be aware of for heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Heat stroke symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness.

If any of these signs are apparent then prompt exposure to cool air and hydration will help to reduce and eliminate these symptoms. Signs for a heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and includes: the body ceases to sweat, deliriousness and body temperature is extremely high.

GSM2 Eric Calvin of the NAS Jax Recycling Center moves a block of recycled trash from the compactor.

Heat injuries can be life threatening. Be aware of the temperature conditions and your hydration levels.

Don't depend on just feeling thirsty to start drinking fluids. Thirst is a late response of the body to fluid depletion. Once you feel thirsty, you are already low on fluids. The best indicator of proper fluid levels is urine output and color. Ample urine that is light colored to clear shows that the body has plenty of fluid. Dark urine means that the body is low on water and is trying to conserve its supply by hoarding fluid, which means that urine becomes more concentrated thereby darker.

Also, remember that humid heat is even worse during physical activities because when you sweat it doesn't evaporate. This causes your body to stay hot longer and not cool down as quickly. You should limit the amount of time you spend in the heat and ensure that you drink plenty of water. Another good practice is to eat small light meals and snack on fruits to help to build your energy level. Try to take at least a 15-minute break for each hour you spend in the extreme heat and use that time to re-hydrate.

"It's just very hot right now! My supply personnel provide us with camelbacks, which are backpacks that hold about two liters of water. I have already finished two and have four hours left at work, so I will be drinking a lot more," said AN Joseph Bodenhorn of HS-15 last week. "We just looked at the temperature and it's reading 105 degrees."

Larry Shelton of KIRA Lawn Care, brings a jug of ice water with him to hydrate as mows the grass at NAS Jax each day.

No matter what the flag condition, supervisors should monitor their workers for signs of impending heat illness and those exercising should use precautions when working out in the heat.

"The base gym has color-coded flags that they fly just above the main entrance to inform the patrons of the weather condition before they work out. We update our flag conditions as needed by checking the NAS Jax Web site," said NAS Jax Fitness Director Tim McKinney. "It's very important for patrons to know the weather conditions before starting a workout because not everyone is as acclimated to the present conditions."

The Fitness Source also posts current conditions on a board at the front of the building just inside the door to let patrons know weather updates. Fitness

"We recommend people hydrate by drinking water or Gatorade at least an hour before they run outside. The body needs electrolyte replenishment because when sweating you lose sodium and potassium. Sports drinks are good but I recommend diluting them because they can be syrupy and can cause nausea," said Fitness Source Manager Chris Crossman.

PS3 Christopher Towers of the NAS Jax Security Department, checks ID cards at the NAS Jax Main Gate in the hot summer heat.

"For the past few days, the flag rating has been black, so I suggest people stay indoors to exercise. If they do go outside, they need to drink eight ounces of water every 20 minutes," added Fitness Source Trainer Ernest Washington. "There are plenty of things patrons can do indoors for strengthening, conditioning and high intensity exercises to get the heart rate up."

Weather conditions are a huge safety issue for commands and how they conduct their day-to-day work schedules. But being aware and educated about heat related injuries can keep everyone safe and enable to them to get their job done.