22 | CFHN
centralfloridahealthnews.com
R 
egardless of whether you love or hate Florida’s hot and humid 
summers, they’re a fact of life and a small price to pay for living in 
paradise. For most people, the answer is as simple as cooling off 
in the air conditioning or taking a dip in the pool. But for people who 
work outside, which is roughly 2 million people in the state, high tem-
peratures are unavoidable and potentially even dangerous. 
Risk factors like high humidity, heavy physical activity, lack of accli-
matization, and wearing clothing that holds heat complicate mat-
ters even more. Heat-related illnesses are not something to take 
lightly, and response time is a critical factor. 
Cramps, nausea, and dizziness mean heat exhaustion has already 
set in. Doctors say if you hit that point, immediately stop working 
and get your core temperature down by moving to the shade, 
drinking plenty of fluids, or wrapping a wet towel around your neck. 
Unfortunately, many outdoor workers keep working through those 
symptoms and make it worse. According to the CDC, failure to get 
body temperature down can lead to heat stroke, which is marked 
by mental confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, or loss of con-
sciousness. At that point, immediate medical treatment is needed.
The key is to take steps to avoid ever reaching the point of heat 
exhaustion. In addition to the common advice of wearing hats and 
sunscreen and continuous hydration, here are some additional tips 
for outdoor workers.
• Mind the pulse points: Placing cooling towels around the neck, 
wrists, and inside of the elbows can help to cool blood circulating 
near the skin’s surface. Plus, you can rewet them throughout the 
day for continued relief.
• Freeze water bottles overnight: Bottles that are frozen solid will 
give workers cold water in the peak hours of the afternoon as they 
melt.
• Reallocate work: If possible, adjust your schedule so you work 
on the harder, more strenuous tasks in the cooler early morning 
hours.
• Wear moisture-wicking sun-protective clothing: Be smart about 
the material of the clothing you wear. Although a bit counterin-
tuitive, lightweight long-sleeve shirts can be cooler than short 
sleeves because they block direct sunlight while allowing sweat 
to evaporate.
While there are plenty of gimmicky products available that promise 
to help keep people cool outdoors, there are some that actually 
offer substantial relief. Vests with battery-operated fans, collars of 
fans that go around the neck, and hats with fans in the brim are just 
a few tried-and-true products popular among outdoor workers. HN
Outdoor Workers 
Must Beat the Heat
JESSICA McDONALD, EDITOR 
[email protected]
EDITOR’S
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A
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