High heat, humidity levels a deadly combo

ALBANY ‒ When it gets so hot you start to think twice before going fishing, you know it’s getting hot.

With this weekend’s temperatures predicted to approach triple digits and humidity on the rise, anyone planning outdoor activities should use caution. From now until fall, most of us who relish our time outdoors will be following weather forecasts with as much or more interest in the daily heat index than the chance of rain.

Heat index is a measure combining air temperatures in the shade with the relative humidity to generate a perceived equivalent temperature. Rising temperatures and humidity levels create a heat index or “feels like” temperature that climbs dramatically related to any increases in these measures. As an example, a temperature of 96 degrees F, factored with 45% relative humidity equates to a heat index of 104℉, which is considered to be dangerous. An increase in the humidity to 70% at the same temperature equates to a heat index of 126℉ which is considered extremely dangerous.

Factor in the effect of direct sunlight, physical activity, and your choice in clothing, and it can become even more intolerable and dangerous. Exposure to direct sunlight can add an additional 15℉ to the temperature being measured in the shade. This means that when someone is doing something in direct sunlight when the heat index is 126℉, their body is functioning in an environment where the thermometer would read 141℉.

These factors also impact the body’s ability to cool itself by the evaporation of sweat. Higher relative humidity reduces this ability, not only increasing discomfort but raising the potential of heat-related health issues including heat cramps, heat stress and heat exhaustion. This threat can be further compounded by additional factors including wind speed, heat from direct sunlight, levels of physical activity and chosen clothing.

Anything that interferes or interrupts this process will not only decrease comfort level while outdoors but could become life-threatening. Dehydration, fatigue, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are directly related to increases the body’s core temperature.

“These conditions can progress so rapidly that they seem to run together,” Captain Joey Thiel, an EMT-I with the city of Thomaston Fire Department, said. “At the earliest warning sign of a heat-related issue, the first thing you need to do is get the victim out of the environment causing the condition.”

Thiel explains that, at a minimum, getting into the shade or an air-conditioned environment (a car or truck works) as soon as possible is critical for all three conditions.

“You want to reduce the victim’s core body temperature,” he said. “Provide cool water or drinks with electrolytes. Remove any excess or tight-fitting clothing. A cool rag under the armpits or the back of the neck can help. In the case of possible heat stroke, call for an ambulance and begin the previously mentioned actions to immediately reduce core body temperature. In this case, ice packs are appropriate.”

While first aid efforts are important, Thiel recommends making every effort to prevent the onset of heat-related illness by:

· Begin drinking fluids 24 hours before working outdoors in dangerous conditions.

· Avoid coke, coffee and other caffeine beverages.

· Dress in light-weight, loose-fitting clothing.

· Try to work in the cooler part of the day (early morning and late evening).

· Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible.

· Wear sunglasses and use sunscreen.

· Drink plenty of water.

Install a weather app on your phone that includes information related to temperatures, humidity, wind, UV index, etc. Refer to it periodically to keep up with changing conditions. Even small changes can be critical, not only to comfort but possibly survival.

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