Life PSA: Be Careful in the Heat

**Buehler445** · 07-07-2013, 12:57 AM

Friday I managed to get myself too damn hot. I loaded some grain and had to do a bunch of shovel work and it about got the best of me. I got all slow and weak. I thought I was being a pussy but it got pretty bad. I'm not sure at the end i was still sweating. I wasn't really paying attention, I was just focused on getting the work done.

I went home at lunch and felt like death. I drank about a gallon of water and 2 gatorades and sat under the ac vent. I couldn't eat. It took me forever to get to where I felt good enough to go back. I did a couple of hours of work to finish up and took the rest of the afternoon off.

I'm just now getting to where I feel kind of normal. The hell of it was that it wasn't that hot. I just wasn't handling it that day for whatever reason.

Be safe out there.

07-07-2013, 12:58 AM

Been there.

In58men · 07-07-2013, 01:10 AM

I got that way last week. When you're sweating like crazy, stop immediately. Drink about 8-10 oz of water, do NOT drink cold ass water. It'll only make you feel worse. After that keep working, you'll still sweat. After about 20-30 minutes take a 15 min break and drink a Gatorade.

Breaks are very important. Key is to drink water that's not freezing cold. I work in the oilfields and they preach this to us everyday. I suffered from heat exhaustion once, not fun. Not sure if you're the boss/owner of your company or what, but it's against OSHA's policies for an employee to break without air conditioning. You have the right to sit in air conditioning building or vehicle during break.

I'm a very hard worker and I like to get shit done. I don't sit and bullshit around, when it's time to work it's time to work, but I'll never put my job before my life. Slow down man and take your breaks even if they're not provided by your company. You have the right to stop work at anytime.

Sorry for being dramatic, I almost lost a great co-worker once. It was a huge turning point for me.

ghak99 · 07-07-2013, 01:13 AM

The heat is a bitch, take it easy. Several years ago I actually passed out and it took several days before I felt normal and well, **** that, never again!

I had to pull 120' of 3" steel well pipe the hard way yesterday and I didn't care if it took me all day with 14 breaks in the shade, I was not ****ing myself up over a little work that can stand to wait.

In58men · 07-07-2013, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghak99

The heat is a bitch, take it easy. Several years ago I actually passed out and it took several days before I felt normal and well, **** that, never again!

I had to pull 120' of 3" steel well pipe the hard way yesterday and I didn't care if it took me all day with 14 breaks in the shade, I was not ****ing myself up over a little work that can stand to wait.

Damn rig work. I've been there before. That's some of the most physical shit you can do. I did 2 weeks work and got a better job offer, took that without even thinking about it. You can actually take as many breaks as you want. No company can demote or fire you over breaks/safety. Just make sure your job gets done, that's the way I look at it.

stevieray · 07-07-2013, 01:23 AM

got the tshirt....not fun at all

**Bugeater** · 07-07-2013, 07:48 AM

Had a similar thing happen a few years back, not a terribly hot day and just like you was doing some shoveling on a landscaping project. Suddenly became dizzy and weak, and it took a while to get right again. Shit sneaks up on you.

I've always tried to pace myself when working outdoors since then, and start drinking water and gatorade as soon as I head out into the heat. And I don't care what Inmem says, I keep that shit ice cold.

**Bwana** · 07-07-2013, 07:53 AM

I got hit with that once. At this point I just make sure to keep up on my fluids when I'm out in the heat for several hours.

**gblowfish** · 07-07-2013, 07:59 AM

Yep. Don't die. That would be a drag.

**Buehler445** · 07-07-2013, 08:28 AM

Yeah, I should have known better, but it wasn't that hot. I thought I was OK. Everybody needs a reminder from time to time to be the hell careful.

**Baby Lee** · 07-07-2013, 08:29 AM

Last weekend I must've had some kind of bug, but needed to change the fuel filter cartridge under my car. That might've been as close to death as I've been. When I climbed the stairs with my toolbox after I was done and flopped down in my chair, I was breathing like I'd sprinted the 1/4 mile. Went out 20 minutes later to make sure I'd gotten all my tools, there was STILL a pool of sweat under the side of my car.

All better now, biked 20 miles yesterday to pick up a part [why I had to bike so far is a long story].

**mdchiefsfan** · 07-07-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Had a similar thing happen a few years back, not a terribly hot day and just like you was doing some shoveling on a landscaping project. Suddenly became dizzy and weak, and it took a while to get right again. Shit sneaks up on you.

I've always tried to pace myself when working outdoors since then, and start drinking water and gatorade as soon as I head out into the heat. And I don't care what Inmem says, I keep that shit ice cold.

If you are maintaining your fluids, ice cold is fine. But if you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness and weakness room-temp water is best for you.

Your body can process foods or liquids that are closer to your body temperature quicker and easier, therefore you're hydrating your body much quicker by drinking room-temp water.

**LoneWolf** · 07-07-2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inmem58

I got that way last week. When you're sweating like crazy, stop immediately. Drink about 8-10 oz of water, do NOT drink cold ass water. It'll only make you feel worse. After that keep working, you'll still sweat. After about 20-30 minutes take a 15 min break and drink a Gatorade.

Breaks are very important. Key is to drink water that's not freezing cold. I work in the oilfields and they preach this to us everyday. I suffered from heat exhaustion once, not fun. Not sure if you're the boss/owner of your company or what, but it's against OSHA's policies for an employee to break without air conditioning. You have the right to sit in air conditioning building or vehicle during break.

I'm a very hard worker and I like to get shit done. I don't sit and bullshit around, when it's time to work it's time to work, but I'll never put my job before my life. Slow down man and take your breaks even if they're not provided by your company. You have the right to stop work at anytime.

Sorry for being dramatic, I almost lost a great co-worker once. It was a huge turning point for me.

I totally agree that frequent breaks and plenty of fluid are necessary to work safely in the heat, but you do not have a "right" to sit in air conditioning during breaks. I run a manufacturing facility with hundreds of employees and the main part of the facility is not air conditioned. We provide water coolers that are continually stocked with bottles of water and we give extra breaks when the heat index is high, but OSHA doesn't require that we provide an air conditioned break area for our employees.

Demonpenz · 07-07-2013, 08:51 AM

I think having a hot smart phone in your pocket helps add to the eat. I have passed out lifting weights and almost passed out at the royals game. Try to pace yourself with the pop/tea/coffee water/gatorade seems to work. Get some shade as well.

DaveNull · 07-07-2013, 09:04 AM

Go pick up a Camelbak. I did a few years back for some crowd control work in the desert and I love it.

It's light and relatively easy to fill in things ranging from a hotel sink to a spigot on the side of a building.

07-07-2013, 12:57 AM
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $1994734	PSA: Be Careful in the Heat Friday I managed to get myself too damn hot. I loaded some grain and had to do a bunch of shovel work and it about got the best of me. I got all slow and weak. I thought I was being a pussy but it got pretty bad. I'm not sure at the end i was still sweating. I wasn't really paying attention, I was just focused on getting the work done. I went home at lunch and felt like death. I drank about a gallon of water and 2 gatorades and sat under the ac vent. I couldn't eat. It took me forever to get to where I felt good enough to go back. I did a couple of hours of work to finish up and took the rest of the afternoon off. I'm just now getting to where I feel kind of normal. The hell of it was that it wasn't that hot. I just wasn't handling it that day for whatever reason. Be safe out there.
Posts: 56,934

07-07-2013, 12:58 AM	#2
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Been there.
Posts: n/a

07-07-2013, 01:10 AM	#3
In58men Baba Ganoush Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $1978026	I got that way last week. When you're sweating like crazy, stop immediately. Drink about 8-10 oz of water, do NOT drink cold ass water. It'll only make you feel worse. After that keep working, you'll still sweat. After about 20-30 minutes take a 15 min break and drink a Gatorade. Breaks are very important. Key is to drink water that's not freezing cold. I work in the oilfields and they preach this to us everyday. I suffered from heat exhaustion once, not fun. Not sure if you're the boss/owner of your company or what, but it's against OSHA's policies for an employee to break without air conditioning. You have the right to sit in air conditioning building or vehicle during break. I'm a very hard worker and I like to get shit done. I don't sit and bullshit around, when it's time to work it's time to work, but I'll never put my job before my life. Slow down man and take your breaks even if they're not provided by your company. You have the right to stop work at anytime. Sorry for being dramatic, I almost lost a great co-worker once. It was a huge turning point for me.
Posts: 29,369

07-07-2013, 01:13 AM	#4
ghak99 MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $1602250	The heat is a bitch, take it easy. Several years ago I actually passed out and it took several days before I felt normal and well, ** that, never again! I had to pull 120' of 3" steel well pipe the hard way yesterday and I didn't care if it took me all day with 14 breaks in the shade, I was not **ing myself up over a little work that can stand to wait.
Posts: 8,296

07-07-2013, 01:23 AM	#6
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2265273	got the tshirt....not fun at all
Posts: 71,386

07-07-2013, 07:48 AM	#7
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Had a similar thing happen a few years back, not a terribly hot day and just like you was doing some shoveling on a landscaping project. Suddenly became dizzy and weak, and it took a while to get right again. Shit sneaks up on you. I've always tried to pace myself when working outdoors since then, and start drinking water and gatorade as soon as I head out into the heat. And I don't care what Inmem says, I keep that shit ice cold.
Posts: 70,443

07-07-2013, 07:53 AM	#8
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139233647	I got hit with that once. At this point I just make sure to keep up on my fluids when I'm out in the heat for several hours. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,788

07-07-2013, 07:59 AM	#9
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17596178 VARSITY	Yep. Don't die. That would be a drag.
Posts: 40,843

07-07-2013, 08:28 AM	#10
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $1994734	Yeah, I should have known better, but it wasn't that hot. I thought I was OK. Everybody needs a reminder from time to time to be the hell careful.
Posts: 56,934

07-07-2013, 08:29 AM	#11
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	Last weekend I must've had some kind of bug, but needed to change the fuel filter cartridge under my car. That might've been as close to death as I've been. When I climbed the stairs with my toolbox after I was done and flopped down in my chair, I was breathing like I'd sprinted the 1/4 mile. Went out 20 minutes later to make sure I'd gotten all my tools, there was STILL a pool of sweat under the side of my car. All better now, biked 20 miles yesterday to pick up a part [why I had to bike so far is a long story]. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
Posts: 95,642

07-07-2013, 08:51 AM	#14
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2912136	I think having a hot smart phone in your pocket helps add to the eat. I have passed out lifting weights and almost passed out at the royals game. Try to pace yourself with the pop/tea/coffee water/gatorade seems to work. Get some shade as well. __________________
Posts: 54,302

07-07-2013, 09:04 AM	#15
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $10005610	Go pick up a Camelbak. I did a few years back for some crowd control work in the desert and I love it. It's light and relatively easy to fill in things ranging from a hotel sink to a spigot on the side of a building.
Posts: 2,367