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By Becky Sherek, EMT/RN
Northern Health and Fitness Plus
Dehydration is a major concern for members of the fire service or anyone who works
out. The body is like an engine, if you don’t keep it cool, it’s not going to work at peak
efficiency. In the worse case, it may not perform at all. A firefighter with compromised
mental and/or physical capabilities presents an obvious threat to himself and the safety
of the crew. Dehydration will be the result of the body trying to regulate its temperature
naturally, if there are available fluids to replace what is lost. Serious dehydration can
lead to heat exhaustion and a life threatening condition known and heat stroke.
Firefighters don’t when they’re going to receive an alarm therefore consuming 64+
ounces of water a day on a regular basis is the way to combat dehydration. In addition
to being fully hydrated during the day, it’s imperative that firefighters aggressively
re-hydrate on the scene and following firefighting activities. Studies have founds that
firefighters had to consume 1.7 liters of water to replace the fluids lost during 17
minutes of firefighting activity.
Now is the time to prepare your body before the call comes. Remember that
practicing these principles of hydration can keep us all safe and healthier on the
fireground and to help ensure a safe return.
· Drink 64 ounces of water a day
· Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink
· Don’t stop once your thirst is quenched
· Caffeinated drinks and soft drinks tend to exacerbate more dehydration
· Isotonic sport drinks with over 10% carbohydrates have a tendency to slow down
the uptake of water and electrolytes
· Drink cold water
· The size of the bottle mouth contributes to the amount of fluid consumed
Can you squirt or can you gulp?
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