Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative - MTBI2

It's getting hot out there — make sure you're prepared for the heat.

Military personnel are at high risk of experiencing heat illnesses during training & operational scenarios, so it's important to know how to protect yourself before you head out into the sun.

A few simple habits can help reduce your risk:
☀️Acclimatize to the heat before you arrive in a new environment

☀️Hydrate appropriately – but remember, consuming too much water too fast can be harmful

☀️Prevent sunburns, which can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature

☀️Use cooling strategies, like immersing your arms in cold water, to help bring your body temperature down

For service members, acclimatizing to a new deployment or training environment can be one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of heat illness.

Our friends at HPRC - Human Performance Resources by CHAMP have a helpful guide for how to prepare for extreme heat. Find out more: https://www.hprc-online.org/physical-fitness/environmental-extremes/how-can-heat-acclimatization-prevent-heat-illness

📸: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Spenscer Williams

Can you handle the heat? Seriously — we want you to stay safe as temperatures rise.

Service members are at high risk of experiencing heat exhaustion & heat stroke during the summer because of intense workouts, heavy gear & long hours outdoors. Body armor can also trap heat & increase temps by 10 degrees!

Heat exhaustion & heat stroke can be dangerous so it’s important to recognize the signs of each.

🔥Heat exhaustion occurs when your body struggles to stay cool in the heat. It is often accompanied by symptoms like excessive sweating, nausea, headaches, dizziness & muscle cramps.

🔥Heat stroke occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher. It is a life-threatening emergency that can affect your mental state & cause confusion, combativeness, slurred speech, seizures, blurred vision & loss of consciousness.

Heat exhaustion & heat stroke require immediate medical attention to decrease body temperatures & replenish fluid loss.

You can learn more about heat illnesses & their symptoms from our friends HPRC - Human Performance Resources by CHAMP here: https://www.hprc-online.org/resources-partners/whec/educational-tools/heat-exhaustion-vs-heatstroke

However you choose to celebrate this summer, we hope you have a safe & happy Independence Day 🧨🎇🍦