Summer is nearly here, and so is the heat!  As hot as it is going to get, experienced drivers know that the temperatures on the road (and in your cab) can be even hotter!

When the temperatures start to rise, it is smart to be mindful of the risks associated with the heat, as well as the steps you can take to ensure your own safety and the safety of the other drivers sharing the road with you.

The three “levels” of heat-related illness can be generalized as:

1. Heat cramps—the least     severe of heat-related illness, characterized by extreme thirst, heavy     sweating, fatigue, and muscle cramps.
2. Heat exhaustion—while     heavy sweating can be a precursor to heat exhaustion, the absence of     sweating all together can be symptomatic of heat exhaustion as well. Other     symptoms to watch out for as well include having goosebumps and cold     sweats while in the heat, headache, nausea, a heartbeat that is weak yet     rapid, and finally dizziness and/or low blood pressure when standing up.
3. Heat Stroke—the most     severe heat-related illness, symptoms of heat stroke include fainting,     seizures and can also include unexplained confusion or an inability to     think clearly.

Educating yourself on the symptoms and dangers of heat-related sickness is the crucial first step in protecting yourself from danger—add these tips and techniques to your arsenal to help you beat the heat:

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1. STOP—if you’re     experiencing symptoms of heat illness you must respect these symptoms by     taking a break from your work or driving. Take this time to focus on     assisting your body in returning to its normal temperature.
2. Drink plenty of fluids—an     obvious tip, but one that is not to be overlooked! Water and electrolyte     heavy drinks such as Gatorade contain the essential building blocks your     body needs to develop a strong defense against heat sickness.
3. Take a “cool” break—when     taking a break, find a cool place like the air-conditioned comfort of your     cab or local rest stop—this will assist your body in cooling down and     properly regulating your body temperature.
4. Cold water on the skin—if     you’re able, take a cool shower or cover your head/neck area with a towel     soaked in cool water or filled with ice cubes.
5. Loosen your clothes—as     mentioned before, sweating is only Step 1 in your body’s ability to     regulate its own temperature. Your body must be able to remove the     moisture from your skin via evaporation and tight-fitting clothing may     inhibit your body’s ability to perform this task efficiently.
6. Contact a doctor—in the     case that your internal body temperature reaches unsafe levels and/or your     symptoms are not improving within an hour or so, contact a medical     professional immediately and refrain from driving or operating machinery     until your symptoms have subsided.

Obviously meeting deadlines in the name of the game in the driving business,but making sure you’re available to meet said deadlines is paramount.

If you begin experiencing heat-related symptoms while driving during thesehot months, make sure you’re giving these indicators the respect they deserveand take steps toward helping your body regulate its temperature.

To learn more about heat exhaustion visit OSHA’s information on occupational heat exposure.

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