MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- With summer’s arrival, many will have the chance to enjoy tanning at the beach and hiking long trails, but as the summer excitement rises, so does the temperature in South Georgia’s sweltering and humid heat conditions.
Ensuring that Team Moody is equipped with the knowledge on how to stay cool during the summer, the 23d Aerospace Medicine Squadron’s bioenvironmental engineering flight works to emphasize the importance of staying healthy during summer’s adverse weather conditions.
“Without healthy Airmen, there is no mission,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Juawana Stringer, 23d AMDS NCO in charge of occupational health. “As the Air Force’s most invaluable asset, it’s our responsibility to take care of our health. If you’re not feeling good, then seek the proper assistance so that you can be fit to fight.”
To help keep Airmen physically fit, the bio flight helps relay established safety measures so that Moody’s personnel can ‘beat the heat.’
“Keeping Team Moody aware of summer’s weather conditions allows them to continue to complete their mission and be safe as well,” said Stringer. “We do this by using the thermal environment monitor, a tool used to track the base’s heat index. This tool calculates the weather condition’s temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity and wind speed, through four flag conditions.”
According to Stringer, the flag conditions’ green, yellow, red and black color codes detail gradual heat stages that determine proper work-rest cycles and water consumption to avoid getting heat illnesses.
Stringer says they are prone to heat-related illnesses when they do not realize how the heat affects them and discover that they’re dehydrated once it’s too late. The adverse weather conditions can also cause victims to experience rapid heart rate and heavy sweating due to their body overheating from heat-related illnesses.
“When the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses can occur such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” said Stringer. “Due to the body’s inability to control its temperature, some of the symptoms and signs of heat-related illnesses experienced are light-headedness, nausea, headaches and fainting.
“If someone shows these signs, it’s best to isolate them in a shaded, cool area and sprinkle water in their face and give them sips of cold water to properly rehydrate,” Stringer added.
According to Staff Sgt. Bryana Hodge, 23d AMDS bioenvironmental engineering journeyman, increasing water consumption is key to minimizing heat-related illnesses.
“Whether individuals are thirsty or not, it’s important for them to stay hydrated while exposed to the sun,” said Hodge. “Due to heat exposure, it’s advised and implemented in the base’s flag conditions to increase water intake and follow the work-rest cycle. The work-rest cycle is the allotted time to work and have standard rest times during the gradual heat stages.
“Proper hydration of at least eight cups a day and allowing Airmen to keep their bodies [rejuvenated] with work and break balances ultimately keeps them effective in the mission,” Hodge added.
Whether enjoying the outdoors or working long hours exposed to the sun, the bio flight encourages Airmen to understand the significance of addressing their bodily needs to stay safe and be effective to support their mission, families and loved ones.
For additional information on how to ‘beat the heat’ and heat-related illnesses, visit:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/heat_illnesses.html
https://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/