Your Heat tolerance?

[Charles]

I do okay working until the heat reaches 96 degees and 80% humidity then I start to slow down and imagine naked women jumping into ice cooled water( favorite halucination)
Low humidity 100 degrees is tolerable
Today and yesterday we have been reaching the 90s. Feels like summer already.
How about everyone else?

[Eric ELM]

Our warmest day so far is 84, had one at 80, but we are back in the 50's today. The 2 days in the 80's over the weekend got our grass greened up and growing, so we start mowing tomorrow. ;)

We are getting some nice rains too, so we are looking good up in Chicago area.

[eslawns]

The heat is part of life in the south. I just take it a little slower, drink Gatorade instead of only water, and don't overdo it.

[Guardian]

2 towels. 1 in cooler, 1 around my neck. It helps beat this Florida heat

[Runner]

Basically, the best advice is, pace yourself. I keep the fluid level up FREQUENTLY, although at times, I still keep up a high pace. I went down with heat stroke on a jobsite one day back in '86 and I've been REAL careful ever since.

[Esby]

When is heats up good in Minnesota(not that warm...lower 90's) I usually just bring a large jug of ice water for myself. On two occasions I have jumped into one of the lakes during teh day, just make a beach stop and throw on the trunks. Unfortunately I usually never have time for such an occuarance, but it was nice the times it did happen.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Not many torrid days. But we do get socked in September/October 90s w humid. I used to take along my surfboard in case a good swell hits. Have not done that in some time. Think I'll go back to that routine this summer when town (Honolulu/Waikiki) gets summer swell.

Esby's post reminded me of this with his 'swim in the lake' routine. Man Lawnsite is sure valuable.

Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[turfguy33]

I mainly bring a cooler of water to my sites especially if I have an employee with me. This year I decided to do all my new accounts by my self just one time to see how long it took me to accomplish the job, I didn't bring any water, because I thought that it would tempt me too much and I was trying to be as efficient as possible...., bad mistake.......After doing several accounts, I was practically spitting salt......But I did realize that on several of my accounts, I would actually be better off doing them alone, rather than pay $10 a hour for help...Now I only have help on just a hand full of jobs

[MOW ED]

You guys are killin me. I did a dethatch job on 3 acres a couple days ago and the wind chill was 12 above zero.

I'd kill for an 85 degree day now.

I have pretty good heat tolerance, I sweat like a pig. Here in N.E. Wisconsin we don't get a lot of unbearable days.

[Greenkeepers]

Always have lots of fluids (water,gatorade) and some snacks handy. Also make sure to pace yourself...

[Chopper Lover]

Dehydration has far reaching affects that can last days.

Ask yourself, "how long does it take to stop at the truck, open the cooler, grab a cool drink and down it?". Even if you come from the back yard it only takes 2-3 minutes at the most. That little break every 20-30 minutes on a really hot day to drink 8-12 oz. of water will maintain your productivity all day long. It will also allow you to work hard the next day.

An ounce (or gallon) of prevention (or water) is worth a pound (or day) of cure!

Mark

[65hoss]

Everyone needs to read the discussion from last year on this subject. Ray broke it down really well about drinking water. Maybe someone can find the thread and repost it for a refresher course and for the new people since then.

[HOMER]

I just can't seem to put those Cokes down!

Tomorrow the water jug gets cleaned out and iced up at the Texaco!

I'm gonna drink water if it kills me!

[lawnman_scott]

Heat hardly ever bothers me, maybe one or 2 days a year, but im in FL because snow scares me

[AVRECON]

I drink plenty of water, and I've had many days that I never had to go to the bathroom because as fast as I drink it, I'm sweating it out. I saw where Homer was talking about Coke in his post above, Caffeine will dehydrate you like salt on a slug. Drink plenty of water and Gatorade. Now of course if theres no water, and theres a Coke machine close by WELL, Guess I'll be drinkin a Coke with a smile!

[eslawns]

What nobody has mentioned is that you need to drink water all the time, not just while you are working. Your body can only metabolize so much at a time. You need to drink at night also. During the day I drink a cup of water at each point where I come back to the truck, and a cup in between jobs. Got to put back electrolytes also. Water only will cause cramps.

[Evan528]

eslawns, do you tow a portapotty behind your truck also? ;)

[lee b]

When it's hot I drink water till I slosh, no problem with dehydration, just finding somewhere private. I always try to get the hard work, trimming, edging, picking up trash done before it gets to hot. 90 degrees ain't bad at all, but 100 and high humidity is tough, and it usually hits 100 pretty regular during the summer down here.