Chaining , tarping and strapping in hot weather .

I've had some heat illness before (not sure which since I didn't go to the hospital ) so the heat gets to me a lot ( @Hurst ) faster. I take as many breaks as needed as often as needed. I also drink a lot ( @Hurst ) more water all week long.

 

I'm born and raised from northern Michigan, so I know cold. (by northern, I mean right around the 45th parallel, halfway to north pole)
Then my unit had the brilliant idea to build schools in Africa for three weeks, late Jan to early Feb. We all drank a LOT of water, and about half Gatorade or other electrolytes. Most importantly, pay attention to what your body is telling you. Get tired, take a break... Not tired yet, but it's 95deg? Take a break. When you get thirsty, it's too late.

 

I have found that soaking your shirt with water and ring out the excess works better than no shirt at all. Do everything you can to work in shade if possible, move the truck under a tree or to the side of a building or anything that blocks the sun. Of course drink water and take a short break often.

 

Is water or Gatorade better for rehydrating?

 

Both. You can actually get sick from drinking too much water, it flushes out the electrolytes your brain needs to function. In hot weather, drink equal amounts. I bought a big tub of Gatorade powder so I can mix my own to the desired strength on the truck.

 

Heat gets to me as well. If your heavy like I am,. I think we are prone to suffering a bit more because it takes longer for us to cool down or warm up than skinny people do. As such,.. by the time we feel the effects of the heat we've already over exerted our selves to the point of exhaustion.

I've gotten light headed and seen stars a few times. I took some deep breathes to keep from passing out, cranked the idle up and cranked the AC and stayed there until I felt well enough to come back out and finish tarping.

The one thing you need to do above all else no matter what anyone else says,.. thats look after yourself. I dont care how many trucks are waiting behind me, I dont care how many guys are sitting until I move out of the way. I dont care that its a windy 2 lane road and the car or truck behind me wants to go faster. I work and go at my own pace. At the end of the day.,. the only one I have to answer for is myself.


Hurst

 

This right here the the number one thing to do. I got a company wide message over the qualcomm last summer stating that energy drinks are not a proper sorce of hydration and that we need to carry plenty of water in the trucks during the summer as we apparently had 2 different instances last year where driver where takin to the hospital to get treated for heat related issues. It just baffled my mind that they had to send out a message stating this. I never asked what happened or if things where ok with the drivers. I guess us people with common sense are rearer then I thought.

 

Rubbing alcohol works better than water. Soak a rag in rubbing alcohol and put it on the back of your neck. Alcohol evaporates worlds faster than water, and that evaporation process takes away heat. That's why alcohol feels cold to the touch.

Potassium. On a long grueling day, my hands have the tendency to cramp up if I don't eat. Hurts like a mutha... Bananas before loading.

Keep the AC on and a case of water on the floor. Water is at the perfect temp.

Tarping a big load is going to take all day. By the time you get done, usually you can't go anywhere...so might as well pace yourself, get done, leave the load and bobtail to a motel. GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, order some food, take a big ol shat...let it gravity feed, take a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong shower, relax, fresh clothes, feel worlds better.

Yes, I know that some of you guys just love the inside of your truck. Hate to ever get out of it. But see, if you don't take care of yourself, you will not be able to get a healthcard. Rule number One: Take care of the driver.