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Heat
Stress Program
It is very important that we maintain a high level of
awareness of the potential for serious illness or death due to exposure to high
temperatures. The ALCOAST below sets forth the Heat Stress Program
established by the Coast Guard.
R 230027Z AUG 07 ZUI ASN-A00235000001 ZYB
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N06260//
ALCOAST 412/07
COMDTNOTE 6260
SUBJ: HEAT INJURIES
A. COAST GUARD CUTTER HEAT STRESS PROGRAM, COMDTINST M6260.17
1. SEVERAL MISHAPS RELATED TO HEAT INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE PAST
MONTH INCLUDING A NEAR FATAL CASE OF HEAT STROKE. UNIT COMMANDERS ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN THE HEAT STRESS
PROGRAM ARE FOLLOWED PER REFERENCE "A". UNIT COMMANDERS SHOULD CONSIDER
HAVING EITHER A SAFETY STAND DOWN OR ALL HANDS MEETING TO DISCUSS HEAT
INJURIES AND THEIR PREVENTION.
UNIT COMMANDERS SHALL REFER TO THE WORK/REST SCHEDULE TABLE NOTED IN
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/HQ/G-W/G-WK/WKS/INDEX.HTM
UNDER "HOT TOPICS" AS WELL AS THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES NOTED BELOW TO
ESTABLISH A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
2. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL COAST GUARD PERSONNEL MAINTAIN A HIGH
LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DEATH DUE TO
EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. THE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF HEAT INJURY ARE
NOTED BELOW:
A. HEAT STROKE.
1. HEAT STROKE IS CONSIDERED A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE
SHUTDOWN OF THE BODYS THERMOREGULATORY SYSTEM. THIS RESULTS IN A
SIGNIFICANT RISE IN THE BODYS CORE TEMPERATURE AND BEGINS TO ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE BODYS MAJOR ORGAN SYSTEMS. IF UNTREATED, HEAT STROKE MAY
RESULT IN DEATH. SIGNS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: ALTERED MENTAL STATUS, HOT
DRY SKIN, DEEP AND RAPID BREATHING, RAPID PULSE, AND HIGH BODY
TEMPERATURE.
2. PREVENTION. IMPLEMENT AN APPROPRIATE WORK/REST SCHEDULE TO PREVENT
HEAT RELATED INJURIES. DRINK ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE
WORK PERIOD. PER THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE, ADEQUATE FLUID INTAKE IS
APPROXIMATELY 10 CUPS (80 OUNCES) FOR WOMEN TO 13 CUPS (100 OUNCES) FOR
MEN OF WATER OR OTHER NON CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES A DAY. THE NEED FOR
FLUIDS VARIES DEPENDING ON ACTIVITY LEVEL, CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE. DRINK
ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF FLUIDS THE DAY BEFORE A PLANNED WORK PERIOD WHERE
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED UNDER HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS. ALCOHOL
CONSUMPTION SHOULD BE AVOIDED DURING THESE PERIODS. EAT WELL-BALANCED
MEALS BEFORE AND DURING THE WORK CYCLE AND GET A MINIMUM OF EIGHT HOURS OF
SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE. ACCLIMATIZATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT IS IMPORTANT
FOR THOSE WITH PRIOR HISTORY OF HEAT RELATED INJURIES.
3. TREATMENT. SEEK IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND MOVE THE
VICTIM TO A COOL ENVIRONMENT. REMOVE ANY CONSTRICTED CLOTHING TO COOL THE
SKIN. APPLY COOL (NOT COLD) WATER ON THE VICTIM BY IMMERSION IN A TUB,
PLACING THEM IN A SHOWER, SPRAYING WATER ON THE VICTIM THROUGH A HOSE, OR
SPONGING THE VICTIM WITH
COOL WATER AND FAN THEM UNTIL EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARRIVE.
B. HEAT EXHAUSTION.
1. HEAT EXHAUSTION IS ATTRIBUTED TO DEHYDRATION AND EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY UNDER THE CERTAIN HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS. HEAT EXHAUSTION IS
CHARACTERIZED BY AN INABILITY OF THE BODY TO GIVE OFF ENOUGH HEAT DUE TO
HEAT OVERLOAD, BUT THE BODYS COOLING MECHANISMS ARE FUNCTIONING. SIGNS OF
HEAT EXHAUSTION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: PROFUSE SWEATING, HEADACHE,
TINGLING SENSATIONS IN THE EXTREMITIES,
SHORTNESS OF BREATH, PALE, MOIST SKIN, WEAK BUT RAPID PULSE, NAUSEA, AND
DIZZINESS.
2. PREVENTION. SAME METHODS FOR PREVENTING HEAT STROKE.
3. TREATMENT. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. REST CASUALTIES IN A
COOL AND/OR SHADED ENVIRONMENT UNTIL SEEN BY AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAM.
INDIVIDUALS SHOULD FOLLOW THE REHYDRATION INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN (A-2)
ABOVE. AFTER RECOVERY, EFFECTED
INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NOT RETURN TO FULL PHYSICAL WORK ACTIVITY UNTIL
EVALUATED BY MEDICAL.
C. HEAT CRAMPS ("MUSCLE CRAMPS").
1. HEAT CRAMPS ARE MUSCULAR SPASMS CAUSED BY AN ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
RESULTING FROM SIGNIFICANT WATER LOSS AND INADEQUATE WATER REPLACEMENT
(E.G., NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER). INSUFFICIENT DIET OR IRREGULAR MEALS
DURING THE DAY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO INEFFICIENT ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT.
SYMPTOMS OFTEN INCLUDE MOIST
COOL SKIN AND PAINFUL CRAMPING OR STRAIN IN THE MUSCLES.
2. PREVENTION METHODS. EAT THREE WELL BALANCED MEALS A DAY AND DRINK
WATER AS THE PRIMARY FLUID REPLACEMENT. COMMERCIAL SPORTS-TYPE DRINKS CAN
BE CONSUMED AS A SUPPLEMENTAL FLUID REPLACEMENT, BUT NEVER AS A
REPLACEMENT FOR WATER.
3. TREATMENT. CEASE PHYSICAL WORK AND SIT IN A COOL AND/OR SHADED AREA.
INDIVIDUALS SHOULD FOLLOW THE REHYDRATION INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN (A-2)
ABOVE. SPORT-TYPE DRINKS ARE PERMITTED, BUT ONLY AFTER DRINKING THE
MINIMUM WATER QUANTITY RECOMMENDED. IF MEALS WERE SKIPPED, TAKE A MEAL
BREAK.
D. HEAT RASH ("PRICKLY HEAT").
1. HEAT RASH IS CHARACTERIZED BY RED BUMPS, USUALLY IN AREAS WHERE
CLOTHING IS RESTRICTIVE, AND GIVES RISE TO A PRICKLING PAIN OR
IRRITATION. AS SWEAT INCREASES, THE IRRITATION INCREASES. HEAT RASH IS
CAUSED BY THE BLOCKAGE AND INFLAMMATION OF SWEAT DUCTS. HEAT RASH
INTERFERES WITH SLEEP, RESULTING IN DECREASED EFFICIENCY
AND CUMULATIVE FATIGUE. IN ADDITION, HEAT RASH IMPAIRS SWEATING, DUE TO
SWEAT DUCT BLOCKAGE AND INFLAMMATION, RESULTING IN A DECREASED EVAPORATIVE
COOLING PROCESS.
2. PREVENTION METHODS. WEAR LESS RESTRICTIVE CLOTHING AND KEEP THE SKIN
DRY AND CLEAN, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. KEEP BERTHING AREAS COOL WITH FANS.
TAKE FREQUENT SHOWERS FOR CLEANING.
3. TREATMENT. THE BEST TREATMENT FOR HEAT RASH IS TO PROVIDE ACOOLER,
LESS HUMID ENVIRONMENT AND KEEP THE AFFECTED AREA DRY.
3. POC FOR THE DEPLOYABLE OPERATIONS GROUP AND ASSIGNED DEPLOYABLE
SPECIALIZED FORCES IS CDR ORTEGA 202-493-1011 OR E-MAIL
LUIS.A.ORTEGA(AT)USCG.MIL.
4. FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE HEAT STRESS PROGRAM CONTACT CAPT
MICHAEL ADESS (CG-1133) AT 202-475-5211 OR E-MAIL MICHAEL.ADESS(AT)
USCG.MIL.
5. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.
6. CAPT LORI A. MATHIEU, ACTING DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SAFETY,
SENDS.
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