Best ways to prepare for Hot Climates.

2014-05-11T00:04:21-04:00

My unit is getting ready to head to NTC in about a month. It's suppose to be 100+, it's currently mid 60's at best at JBLM.

We started doing PT in ACU's to help get us acclimated to sweating/being warmer than we would in summer PT's. Starting Monday we are gonna wear silk weights under our ACU's during PT hours to further help acclimate us.

Just curious if there are any other ideas out there.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made May 11 at 2014 1:43 AM

2014-05-11T01:43:45-04:00

Drink water. ;-)

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 8:00 AM

2014-05-11T08:00:02-04:00

what you are currently planning are good ideas but as stated earlier you really need to work on fluid intake i.e. drink water but also make sure you don't overdo it because to much can cause problems as well. make sure caloric intake is up as well.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 8:09 AM

2014-05-11T08:09:37-04:00

You are going into a totally different type of heat. Your going from humid to dry. A lot of Water intake and sun block. Keep your sleeves down and your cover on.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 8:19 AM

2014-05-11T08:19:52-04:00

The heat out there gets pretty intense I was previously stationed there this time last year it could be anywhere from 89 degrees to 120+ it's a very dry heat make sure to hydrate and carry salt packs

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 3:46 PM

2014-07-02T15:46:29-04:00

Its a different kind of heat at NTC vs JBLM.

For starters get in shape, the more fit you are the better you will adjust to the heat.

Drink allot of fluid/water. Also eat everything they give you at NTC. You are going to be sweating out allot of calories.

Start slow when you hit the ground, PT early in the morning ideally. Doing PT in ACU's is a fine idea. Doing it in your silk underwear is pretty stupid. There is no benefit in it.

Watch your buddies, heat exhaustion is no joke! Make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 4:56 PM

2014-07-02T16:56:04-04:00

Be born and raised in south Texas ;) It's about 100 degrees at noon.

But for real, plenty of water, when cooling down dont get your face wet, get your neck, cools you off way better. Be careful and mindful of your self at first, it can be easy to get heat stroke if your not ready

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 4:59 PM

2014-07-02T16:59:27-04:00

Despite trying to simulate the heat wearing more clothes, you'll find its quite different once you get there, especially with your head and face exposed to the actual heat and humidity. Your body will adjust. A lot of great advise here, please follow it. Additionally:

Watch your electrolytes - your salts and minerals. Drinking solely water will flood out your electrolytes through sweat and urine. A 3 1 to ratio of water to gatoraide/poweraide will help keep this from happening.

Lord knows the chow hall will provide you with enough sodium, but keep your potassium up too - bananas.

Easy on the sugar and caffeine drinks - soda, monster, red bull, etc. In your normal environment this stuff is not great for you so make sure you don't OD on it in the heat.

Watch the urine color for possible dehydration - too yellow, dark/over hydration - too white.

Eat at least 3 regularly spaced meals a day to keep your body in balance.

Get used to sleeping in the heat. For me that was the toughest one. Keep your eyes on each other for signs of lack of sleep exhaustion along with heat illness.

Lemon in the water helps lessen the chance of kidney stones. A lot of potential for stones, especially if you have had them before (yours truly) because your liver and kidneys are being heavily taxed because of the increased fluid intake.