thedrifter
06-13-09, 06:50 AM
Pendleton stresses Heat-Casualty Prevention Program
6/12/2009 By Cpl. Alvaro Aro , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif —
Snow, rain and wind do not prevent Marines from doing what Marines do. The same determination applies as the hottest days of the year quickly approach Southern California.
In unfavorable weather, extra precautions are necessary to ensure successful training and operations, while also lowering the risk of accidents and injuries.
In support of maximizing mission success while minimizing troop casualties, the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Safety Center is preparing its annual heat awareness program, focusing on heat-casualty prevention.
According to the Naval Safety Center Web site, heat related illnesses, including heat rashes, muscle cramps, exhaustion and strokes; occur when the body is not able to keep itself cool.
“Our goal is to reduce and minimize heat-related injuries and last year we had around one thousand incidents on Pendleton alone.” said Daniel Hernandez, occupational safety health specialist, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “Heat stress and heat exhaustion are among the most common cases on Pendleton.”
The School of Infantry and Weapons Training battalions are the most susceptible to incidents, he added.
“This is due to the excessive exposure under the sun and extensive physical activity,” Hernandez explained.
According to Base Safety’s urine color measurement guide, one of the easiest ways to monitor hydration is by noting the color of your urine.
The American Medical Association states that the loss of water in the human body causes the kidneys to fall short, making the urine much more concentrated with waste and therefore, darker in color.
The desire to urinate less than twice a day or producing urine in a dark yellowish color indicates severe dehydration. In this situation, one must drink water immediately.
Camp Pendleton employs a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index to monitor heat temperature on base. It takes into account air warmth, humidity, radiant heat and air movement to calculate a more accurate measurement of heat than straight temperature. It also dictates flag conditions throughout the installation.
Color-coded flags are used to help monitor heat conditions and prevent heat casualties during hot weather and are prominently displayed by all commands, particularly in areas where intensive physical training takes place
Flag conditions are as follows:
WHITE FLAG (WBGT Index of less than 80 degrees F). Extremely intense physical exertion may precipitate heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Caution should be taken.
GREEN FLAG (WBGT Index of 80 to 84.9 degrees F). Heavy exercises for un-acclimatized personnel should be conducted with caution and under constant supervision.
YELLOW FLAG (WBGT Index of 85 to 87.9 degrees F). Strenuous exercises, such as marching at standard cadence, will be suspended for un-acclimatized personnel in their first two or three weeks. Outdoor classes in the sun should be avoided.
RED FLAG (WBGT Index of 88 to 89.9 degrees F). All physical training will be halted for personnel who have not become thoroughly acclimatized by at least 12 weeks of living and working in the area. Personnel who are thoroughly acclimatized may carry on limited activity not to exceed six hours per day.
BLACK FLAG (WBGT Index of 90 degrees F and above). All strenuous outdoor-physical activity will be halted for all personnel.
Wearing body armor or Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare protective uniforms adds 10 degrees F to the measured WBGT index.
Camp Pendleton is currently planning on purchasing an Automated Heat Stress System which delivers faster, more defined and highly accurate data in the most critical areas of the base.
This system can help make possible our objectives in heat casualty prevention. Hernandez said.
For more information, visit the Camp Pendleton Safety Center at http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/base/safety.
Ellie
6/12/2009 By Cpl. Alvaro Aro , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif —
Snow, rain and wind do not prevent Marines from doing what Marines do. The same determination applies as the hottest days of the year quickly approach Southern California.
In unfavorable weather, extra precautions are necessary to ensure successful training and operations, while also lowering the risk of accidents and injuries.
In support of maximizing mission success while minimizing troop casualties, the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Safety Center is preparing its annual heat awareness program, focusing on heat-casualty prevention.
According to the Naval Safety Center Web site, heat related illnesses, including heat rashes, muscle cramps, exhaustion and strokes; occur when the body is not able to keep itself cool.
“Our goal is to reduce and minimize heat-related injuries and last year we had around one thousand incidents on Pendleton alone.” said Daniel Hernandez, occupational safety health specialist, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “Heat stress and heat exhaustion are among the most common cases on Pendleton.”
The School of Infantry and Weapons Training battalions are the most susceptible to incidents, he added.
“This is due to the excessive exposure under the sun and extensive physical activity,” Hernandez explained.
According to Base Safety’s urine color measurement guide, one of the easiest ways to monitor hydration is by noting the color of your urine.
The American Medical Association states that the loss of water in the human body causes the kidneys to fall short, making the urine much more concentrated with waste and therefore, darker in color.
The desire to urinate less than twice a day or producing urine in a dark yellowish color indicates severe dehydration. In this situation, one must drink water immediately.
Camp Pendleton employs a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index to monitor heat temperature on base. It takes into account air warmth, humidity, radiant heat and air movement to calculate a more accurate measurement of heat than straight temperature. It also dictates flag conditions throughout the installation.
Color-coded flags are used to help monitor heat conditions and prevent heat casualties during hot weather and are prominently displayed by all commands, particularly in areas where intensive physical training takes place
Flag conditions are as follows:
WHITE FLAG (WBGT Index of less than 80 degrees F). Extremely intense physical exertion may precipitate heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Caution should be taken.
GREEN FLAG (WBGT Index of 80 to 84.9 degrees F). Heavy exercises for un-acclimatized personnel should be conducted with caution and under constant supervision.
YELLOW FLAG (WBGT Index of 85 to 87.9 degrees F). Strenuous exercises, such as marching at standard cadence, will be suspended for un-acclimatized personnel in their first two or three weeks. Outdoor classes in the sun should be avoided.
RED FLAG (WBGT Index of 88 to 89.9 degrees F). All physical training will be halted for personnel who have not become thoroughly acclimatized by at least 12 weeks of living and working in the area. Personnel who are thoroughly acclimatized may carry on limited activity not to exceed six hours per day.
BLACK FLAG (WBGT Index of 90 degrees F and above). All strenuous outdoor-physical activity will be halted for all personnel.
Wearing body armor or Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare protective uniforms adds 10 degrees F to the measured WBGT index.
Camp Pendleton is currently planning on purchasing an Automated Heat Stress System which delivers faster, more defined and highly accurate data in the most critical areas of the base.
This system can help make possible our objectives in heat casualty prevention. Hernandez said.
For more information, visit the Camp Pendleton Safety Center at http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/base/safety.
Ellie