Beatin' the heat!!!

[Vibe Ray]

What do you guys do to beat the heat??? We gotta get ready for it ya know! I can handle it fine, just wonderin' some tips you have learned over time to help cool you off!

[LoneStarLawn]

Make sure that AC is working good.....and plenty of water (gatorade and others can make you sick in very hot weather)

[geogunn]

I wear 100% cotton, light colors and never red.

keep the shirt on. always....

I never leave the house without cool water (never even to fish if I get the chance).

I do the sports drinks on the hotter days in addition to water.

I always wear a hat. the best kind is a straw broad brim. unfortunately, however, you look like a hayseed wearing one.

GEO

[65hoss]

I go to Sam's and get the big box of gatorade mix. When it gets 95+ (which is usually 2.5 mths) I will wet a towel and put on my neck. I also have a remote start on my truck, so when I'm within 2 minutes of getting in I start it up and have the a/c already going. :cool:

[1MajorTom]

Don't get me wrong. A/C is a must in our other vehicles, BUT not in our work truck. No way. In and out of the cold into very hot tempatures would not make me feel good.

Not much you can do on really hot days except staying well hydrated.

[dhenegar]

I always keep ice in my cooler and soak my baseball cap with cold water everytime we get to another lawn. This seems to work pretty good, and like everyone else say keep plenty of water.

[KirbysLawn]

Jodi, come down south and work a few 100+ degree days with high humidity and your will welcome the a/c! Any break is better than none. As for me 100% cotton shirts, water, dark tinted windows & a/c, and a hat.

[awm]

Where i can I try to get as much as I can done
before noon.I aim at the hardest stuff early.
Also purposefully try to set a slow steady pace
with planned breaks in 90 and above.Your body
will slow down anyway so doing it on purpose
helps you get more work done safer.
Like cotton buttun shirt so i can unbutton
if Im overheating.
Ive always used billed cap but im going to try
geoguns idea .Im three quarters hayseed anyway.
You young fellas may not know this but the
fist sighn of age is loosing the ability to
handle heat.Im not sure why but it happened to me.

[TJLC]

Well, not that it gets hot down here.LOL. I have a/c in my truck, but never run it while I working. I would think that getting in and out of a cold truck all day would not be good for you. I just drink plenty of h2o and take breaks. Were self employed, we can work at OUR own pace. The good thing is it helps me sweat off some of my winter fat.

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by KirbysLawn
Jodi, come down south and work a few 100+ degree days with high humidity and your will welcome the a/c! Any break is better than none. As for me 100% cotton shirts, water, dark tinted windows & a/c, and a hat.

Your better off with a 50-50 cotton/poly blend.

I like the Jerzees brand best. They wear forever, dry faster, and don't shrink at every wash.

Plus they are made in the usa in alexander city, Al
YEE HA!!

[MIDSOUTH]

It is so hot and humid here in louisiana, you are glad to feel that a/c for a brief ride to the next yard, I change shirts every 2 yards or so because they get soaked with sweat, there is no way to get everything done before noon for me- it will be from 6-7 a.m. to 8-9p.m. for me, just like last summer-oh well, great money though. I drink between 20-32oz of water or gatorade every 45min to the hour. you need to do this-believe me it is no fun throwing up in the middle of the street after loading your junk up, plus it takes a full two days for me to recover from dehydration. I like the remote starter idea but I don't think you can do that to a deisel(you may can, i don't really know)that would be nice to get in a cool truck. Also eat a banana or two throughout the day and it will keep you from cramping-works for me.

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

You really got to watch the heat & if you don't think it will get you, well you better think twice! My Story.

Sorry this is a post I have made before, so all the older members just ignore it, it's for the New Members. LOL, I'm sure it's a little different now, but close.

My Past History

I was one bullet proof Joker, at least I thought so. I worked in curing off & on for 4 1/2 years at the Firestone Plant. The average year round temp was 120 degrees steam every where. I even wore leather to keep from getting burned on steam pipes. No body over 45 years old was working in that area! I could handle it just fine & I worked there from about age 30 to 35. No problems, I knew what to drink & what to eat, while working in the heat. I was in very good physical condition.

Lawn Service, the Salad Years!

No problems, I could do the Wild Thang when it was 103 degrees outside. Got employees 10 to 15 years younger than me. I could out work them & they be begging for mercy by lunch time & it's just a cool 95 outside. After lunch, it separated the Men from the boys. "That's a Fact Jack!"

At the end of my career, 1 Saturday a friend of mine had wired a piece of equipment wrong & blew my breaker box. Well, I had a bunch of equipment to maintain. I was upset & told the guy that does it on Saturday, that I would do it my self. Had to shut down the grass catcher fabrication guys too!

Well, hours later 103 degrees & air thick as some of you guys say "Thick as Pea Soup" my pregnant wife of 8 months came out side to get me. I was on my Knees at one of the mowers & she said it was time for us to go. When I turned my head I just mumbled. My right eye had no white in it at all. I had busted all the blood vessels, eye was blood red.

During the next few weeks it took nothing for me to black out. My face looked like I had been in a bad car wreck, I was falling continually. I was just trying to hang on to the business. Oh I went to the Doctor a few days after the incident.

He told me I had a massive heat stroke & I was lucky to be alive. That night he called me at about 10:00 PM & wanted to know what I had been eating & drinking. The massive amounts of Gatorade I had been drinking had really done me harm.

He said the amount of Sodium & Potassium in my body, that I should be dead (he said anything over a Quart a day is bad for you), well stupid me was drinking in excess of a gallon plus a day, it was sooo goood! He also said that the worst thing you can do is get in A/C where there is much of a temperature change. That this sudden temperature change alone can cause a Heat Stroke. Yo body just can't cope with sudden temperature changes.

I thought I was doing the right thing, I wore a Straw hat & Sweat band. Keeping my head wet thus cooler when the heat came on. I wore shirts all the time & long pants. I thought I was having the proper Diet. Well, I did everything right, at least I thought so?

I could not even drive for about a month & it was a couple of weeks before I could even think half way straight. LOL, I'm not normal either?

My short term memory is still not recovered, if I go out into the sun without very dark sunglasses, in about 15 minutes I have the worst headache known. Before this I never had a headache in my life!

What did I loose & what did I gain?

Well, I had to give up my business (but I did get paid plenty for it) & it was killer. I had a 5 to 6 man crew in 2 trucks & trailers making me plenty of money. I had 2 to 3 guys coming in at night & on weekends making me more money (building me $1,500 + Custom Grasscatchers). The last six months in business before the Heat Stroke I was paying myself $1,500 a week take home, not bad for the late 80's. I couldn't get out in the heat anymore it was just more than I could bare.

What I gained was a family I didn't even know about & I discovered that family was more important than money! Family is far more important than monetary gain. So I figure I didn't loose much!
================================================

The moral of the story is, no matter what you do when the Bell Rings, It's Your Turn! I really enjoy my family & I really miss the Lawn Service Business. If I had only taken it easy & not tried so hard to make every Dollar I could, I would still be in the business now!

Drink plenty of water & not to cold either. Stay away from A/C until the end of the day & gradually cool down. Keep a hat on that makes you sweat & plenty of cloths too! The wet clothing acts as the best cooler for the body there is.

Remember this when it happens, there is no undoing it. If your a one man show & it hits you as hard as it hit me. You will probably loose every thing. You Don't think So? Wait till August & stop going to their house for a month & then go over there. Do maybe 2 small lawns in 8 hours that you could do in less than 2 hours before & it is just wearing you down so bad you can't stand it. When you black out doing it, just trying to pay the bills, see who will keep you on & who will help pick you up, out in the middle of their front lawn face down?

4 years later I mowed my back yard, took it easy the whole time. After I finished I parked the mower at the back patio & got me some water to drink. Cooled off in the shade for about 20 minutes. I cranked up the mower & was going across the back lawn. Half way across the lawn I blacked out, when I came to ants was all over me & my hand was at the edge of the deck. The mower was still running, I'm lucky that my hand didn't go under there. I have no idea, how long I was out & I had no warning.

That Heat Monster or Bear is still after me & nothing I can do about it! Wish I had it to re live again, boy oh boy would things been different!

[MIDSOUTH]

man grassmaster, I am going to cut the gatorade down, I have been drinking probably one to two gallons a day, I will replace that with water- thanks for the info. sorry to hear your story. I guess I may try to cut the a/c down a little too, I have been going about it the wrong way.

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

LOL, I'll try to keep it short & sweet! LOL, :-)

Back several years ago the Editor of our newspaper died of a heat stroke. He was a great man too & he did a lot of nice things for folks all the time! We took out 1 ad in his newspaper & a few days later he called my wife & I, took us out to eat. We are nothing what so ever compaired to his for real advertisers. He was just a great guy!

He was having some kinda party at his house one Sunday afternoon & his lawn service didn't come by. So he decided to edge & blow his lawn that morning. Well after he got through edging his lawn, he decided to take a quick dip in the pool.

He jumped in & had severe pains. He made to the edge of the pool & died of a Heat Stroke. Drastic Temperature Change Kills!

BTW MIDSOUTH, It is said that as a whole us folks already injest to much sodium to start with by the foods we eat even if we don't put any salt at all on the food. I don't use salt & since I quit, I drink a lot more water. I can taste the Salt in certain Ketchups & Cheeses so strong that I have a hard time trying to eat it.

It is said that if we never had Salt or Sugar before & it was introduced to the USDA, that they probably not allow it. I read all this Mumbo Jumbo somewhere! It is said that a can of Spaghetti O's has about 8 teaspoons of salt & that a Coke has about the same in sugar in it?

LOL, this probably very funny coming from a Beer drinker & Cigarette smoker. Hey we all have our hang ups, at least I do have mine? :-)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also a while back at high School in Dawson, Georgia a Quarterback that was very overheated went to take a cool shower & he died of a heat stroke, he made it as far as the hospital?

This is off topic, but this is also the number 1 killer of our teenagers that take Extasy & it has a jillion differt names. But they take it & they dance continually high till the point of dehydration & not knowing when to stop at these all night gigs. They go untill they drop from Heat Stroke. These all nighters should be against the law, they don't start til late & last all night. They actually get locked in & the doors stay locked where no body can leave except if they need medical attention. Atlanta has several clubs that do this. It is mainly for the younger crowd!

Again this should be outlawed & these are just my thoughts only!

[1MajorTom]

Ray,

I know what you mean about the heat in the south. Lived in Alabama for a few years, so I know how hot it can be. Lived in New Mexico too where temps were hot, but not humid.

It's just a personal preference for me. I can't see getting in the truck 10 to 15 times a day getting all cool, then shocking my body back into the heat over and over again.

[awm]

You young fellas better read his post again.
Not picking on you .I remember how it was to
just work until you finished.It makes you feel
unbeatable.A very similar thing happened to
me.It takes a long time to get straitened
out.Midsouth no offence meant but you sound
like you are pushing it to hard if you are
throwing up.I used to get out of the truck at night
and have my legs cramp every step i took.
Like to have some of them days back ID
TAKE IT EASIER AND SAVE SOME.just mine

[KirbysLawn]

I'll have to disagree about temp changes causing death. Changes in body temps do not cause heat stroke, prolonged exposure to heat along with inadequate hydration does. Death from heat stroke is caused from massive blood vessel dilation (and low blood pressure) and high core temperatures which quickly cause brain damage and death. The last heat stroke victim I treated had a core body temp (rectal) of 108 after 30 minutes of cooling. He did not die of exposure to cooler temps, he died from prolonged exposure to the heat without cooling his body off and re-hydrating. ANY TIME YOU ARE WORKING IN EXTREMELY HOT CONDITIONS, ANY OPPORTUNITY TO COOL THE BODY OFF SHOULD BE A WELCOME ONE. The advise of staying away from the "aid" drinks and drinking water is right on the money.

A little about the topic. Sweat consists primarily of water and some electrolytes, specifically sodium and chloride ions. As long as we can sweat and the sweat can evaporate, we can continue to cool ourselves efficiently. But if for some reason either the sweating mechanism begins to fail or the sweat cannot evaporate, then the cooling mechanism will fail.

On hot, very humid days, our cooling mechanism is extremely inefficient, and it becomes relatively easy to overheat because the sweat cannot evaporate. The evaporation of sweat from skin accounts for 90% of our cooling ability, therefore cool air blowing from an A/C vent will help. Additionally, our ability to sweat diminishes as we become dehydrated.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are sometimes associated with heat exhaustion, are painful but not damaging unless they are ignored. As with any cramp, they can be stretched and massaged away. Drinking slightly salty water and resting should keep them from reappearing. If they do reappear, you should stop mowing and take the rest of the day off. Do not take salt tablets!

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is not a life-threatening illness. Little or no rise in body core temperature will be noted and skin temps will be normal or even cool and moist. Symptoms include fatigue, exhaustion, nausea, lightheadedness and possibly heat cramps. Heat exhaustion usually comes on several hours after exertion and dehydration. You may have even replaced the lost fluids, but not the electrolytes.

With enough rest and water, heat exhaustion is self-correcting. However, this condition can often be treated rapidly with an electrolyte solution consisting of one teaspoon of salt (sodium chloride) dissolved in a liter of water, which should be slowly sipped over a period of 60 minutes. Add a tablespoon of sugar or a sweet drink powder to replenish energy stores. It's better if the water is cold.

Heat Stroke CALL 911!!!!

Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a life-threatening emergency. Without proper care, heat stroke victims will most likely die! Once our cooling mechanism fails, core temperature rises rapidly. Death can occur in as little as 30 minutes. When the core temperature rises, the brain, which can only function in a very narrow temperature range, begins to fail. In an effort to cool the blood and lower the core temperature, the brain will dilate all the blood vessels in the skin. As a result, the skin becomes RED and HOT, but may still be WET. (Note: Classical heat stroke, suffered more commonly by the ill and/or elderly, usually produces HOT/DRY skin from severe dehydration.)

As the brain overheats, the individual may become disoriented, combative, argumentative, and may hallucinate wildly. The primary goal of therapy is to cool the victim as rapidly as possible. Since the sweating mechanism has failed, we have to sweat for the patient. The simplest and most effective method is to remove all non-cotton clothing and soak the victim with water, fanning to increase the rate of evaporation, and massaging extremities to encourage the return of cool blood to the core. With a limited supply of water, cooling the head and neck becomes the top priority. If available, ice packs should be placed at the neck, armpits and groin, in that order. All heat stroke victims must be transported to the hospital as quickly as possible, continuing the cooling process during evacuation.

Heat stroke victims are dehydrated and require rehydration. Unfortunately, getting the patient to drink may be impossible. With impaired mental condition, it is inappropriate to force fluids or aspiration may occur. Continue cooling externally in hopes the patient will recover enough to begin oral rehydration.

Prevention

Heat stroke, like all heat-related illnesses, is preventable. The same prevention methods that work for dehydration and exhaustion will work for heat stroke. The guiding principle is to stay well hydrated. Do not rely on your thirst mechanism to tell you when and how much you need to drink. Under conditions of exertion, it is probably impossible to drink too much water. Note urine output also.

Everyone can take any information for what it's worth, it's your life. However the acclimation of heat and increasing body temps will put you at more risk. For me a simple cool down every 35-45 minutes is more than welcome.

Ray

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

Maybe the body goes into shock when having sudden temperature changes, when extremely hot?

The Newspaper said the Editor jumped in to pool to cool off & then had pains, he got out of pool & then died of Heat Stroke?

The Newspaper said the Football Quarter Back was over heated & when he got into shower, he had heat stroke & died at hospital?

The Doctor told me that if I was going to be working in the extreme heat that the last thing I wanted to do was to be getting in & out of the Air Conditioning, that your body couldn't handle the extreme temperature changes?

I'll have to believe to stay away from sudden temperature changes would be best. The AC doesn't help at all when getting in & out of extreme heat. No the AC doesn't cause Heat Strokes & the Best thing while having a Heat Stroke is possible fastest cool down anyway possible. That makes plenty of sense to me!

But I wouldn't add to the chances of having a Heat Stroke by sending my body into shock by getting in & out of cold areas for short periods of time either? :-) I've been there & done that & it didn't work!

[KirbysLawn]

I really wouldn't compare going from hot outside temps into a slightly cooler environment such as a truck with the a/c running an extreme temperature change as compared to going from outside temps into a pool. Anytime the body is in the heat stroke stage it is best to cool the body ASAP....with one thing in mind, not to cool so fast that you cause the body to shiver. Muscle shivering can and does cause body temps to rise due to movement and this could accelerate a heat stroke.

Accumulative exposure to heat without the benefit of cooling is what I consider a danger, and this is why I cool my body off any chance I get. Going from 100 degree to a truck that's 80-85 degrees is not in the same class as going from 100 degrees to being submerged in water 70-75 degrees. The later could cause rapid vasoconstriction, rapid increases in blood pressure, and possible stroke or death, I concur with that and also recommend against that practice.

[MIDSOUTH]

AWM- the only times I have thrown up is when I have not drank enough fluids, I get LIghtheaded and then sick, I keep plenty of fluid in me now, but I am gonna cut down on the gatorade alot.If I have to take a leak every thirty minutes I know I am well hydrated.

[HOMER]

And there are actually people out there that want to "jump in to this business!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think a lot of folks believe this is a fairly easy profession to get into. Since I have been doing it I have had an "episode" at least once a year where I get too hot. It woops my ars big time when this happens. If the temp will stay in the low to mid 90's I'm OK, when it hits 100-105 and stays that way for a while thats when the problems start. Heed all the warnings, when this happens to me it takes a good 3 days to get my strength back and it never fails to get me behind big time. Pace yourself and stay away from the extremes, too hot and too cold will hurt ya.

Old age is certainly a factor, in the last 3 years I can tell a big difference, time to get on the treadmill and get in shape.

[Vibe Ray]

So guys, How MUCH water is good to take a day when mowing?

[Eric ELM]

Good article Ray. I saved that one. :)

[Hardy Enterprises]

Has anybody tried any of the hydro cool vest that are on the market? I was wondering how well they work.

Jay

[Fantasy Lawns]

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1525117&a=11563719&p=40924705
LOTS of Water ... Large Brim Hat .....Find the Shade ....and a nice clean towel in the cooler helps !

[lsylvain]

A need trick I learned was to get a few of those bicycle water bottles, you know the kind that clamp on to the frame.

You can clamp them right on to your mowers, and they also fit perfectly on the shaft of a trimmer.

I like it because you always have water right there when you get thirsty, and it cuts down on time walking back and forth to the truck on big jobs.

[smburgess]

The AVERAGE person in an AVERAGE day expels SIX pints of water just BREATHING... (Dicovery Channel)

[Charles]

I dont keep the AC on in my vehicle. Just roll down as many windows as i can. I wear cotton clothes and take plenty of ice water. If i kept the ac on in my van I would never want to get out. Believe me it gets hot down here and stays hot and humid but i havent had a stroke yet following my system for over 10 years.(knock on wood)

[zimm4]

A suggestion to help keep cool. I place one or two wash cloths in A zip lock bag. Wet them first of course.
Then I put them in A coller with ice. That cold wash cloth feels so good. Then i have A nice thick towel to dry off afterwards.

You will feel like A new man after this procedure.

P.S. I have always been told to drink water only. Also to make sure you eat on A regular schedule!!!!!!!

Kyle

[Eric ELM]

We have a big cooler that we got at Sam's that will keep ice for a week in 90 degree + temps. Each week we wash out 24 oz. Pepsi Bottles and fill them with water and freeze enough to put on the bottom row. We then put in a row of cold Pepsi and then a row of cold water in Pepsi Bottles and then cover it with ice. We keep adding water bottles each day and top it off with ice. We can then open the drain on the cooler to get cold water to wash off with. We keep small hand towels that we can wet and wash off our faces and necks and then put that cool towel around our necks while working. It sure helps.

[Turf Cutters]

We drink plenty of water before, during and after every account. I also use a drink from GNC that is called E-mergen-C. Eat a light meal for lunch. Run the ac on long road trips. Also when tired or not feeling well, stop and rest. I also think snow well mowing, it helps. I wear shorts and light colored t-shirt.

[Richard Martin]

I do run the A/C between jobs but only with the windows rolled down. I don't like to get so cooled off that the heat is unbearable getting back out of the truck. For drinks it is mostly water and occasionally a Gatorade.

[Willtrax]

Mostly water and in the middle of the day thru in a simi clear Gatorade. Or you can try this one out.

The dudez I work with and
I went in a 7-11 and there was this older dude, standing around. He said "BOY" ya'll look hot. You know the best way to stay cool on a hot day? We were like ya old dude spit it out. He said so go in that there 7-11. Go to the back of the store and grab ya a 20oz cup, and fill it to the top with some hot coffee. It'll keep yA cool. Because the body when subjected to a cold substance all of a sudden can give you a heart attach. Don't know if there is truth to what he says, but I do know the dude was in his late 70'z and still cutting grass.

[HOMER]

Boy...............had to dig deep to find that one.

Still a good thread though, lots of technical info.

Sure wish some of the participants were still around!