How to Prevent Thermal Injuries

Take steps to prevent thermal injuries

There are three stages to thermal injury or heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. These are listed in order of increasing severity. The environmental conditions that lead to thermal illness and injury are out of your control. However, there are several things that you can do to help to prevent getting sick. The following article discusses steps that you can take in order to prevent thermal injury.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Lightweight exercise clothes

Instructions

How to Prevent Thermal Injuries

1. 

   One way to prevent thermal injury is to wear proper clothing. Clothing can effect your body's ability to cool itself. Loose, lightweight cloth allows for better air circulation and, therefore, makes the evaporation of sweat more efficient.

2. 

   Allowing your body to adapt to the heat is another way to prevent thermal injuries. The body is actually able to make adjustments that allow for better cooling in hot weather. This period of adjustment does take time, about 10 days of exercise in the heat. This adaptation will only work if your body is well hydrated.

3. 

   It is also important to avoid caffeine and alcohol when you are exercising in the heat. Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and they cause you body to lose water.

4. 

   Drink plenty of fluids when exercising or playing sports in the heat. Be sure to drink, even if you are not thirsty. Drink before, during, and after whatever activity you are engaging in.

Tips & Warnings

• A good sign that you are drinking enough fluid is the output of large volumes of clear urine.

• When exercising outside in hot weather, do not wear full equipment, such as heavy football pads, when practicing.

• Take many breaks in hot weather. Do not over exert yourself.

• When exercising, the body cools itself primarily by the evaporation of sweat. High humidity seriously decreases the evaporation of sweat and, therefore, hinders the body's ability to cool itself.

• If you believe someone is suffering from thermal injury, seek medical care immediately. Move the individual into the shade; remove any heavy or excess clothing; wet and fan the body to cool it down; and elevate the legs.

Resources

• Heat related injuries