I am scurrying about trying to get things done outside. The maximum heat index today is expected to be 12 degrees lower than tomorrow
I got a call from the gentleman who is doing our bathroom remodel. He gently asked where the mixing valve for the shower was. The supplier had not notified us that Fed Ex had delivered it, using the lame excuse "The Fex Ex man did not properly scan it into OUR system."
It is all good now. The parts are in-hand and the contractor knows that.
This afternoon will be taken up with picking up sticks in the orchard, broadcasting ground limestone. This evening will be taken up with helping Southern Belle and Handsome Hombre picking up some more furniture.
Pursuant to Michael's comments about heat exhaustion in-the-sandbox, our soldiers carry obscene loads when on patrol with 80 pound packs being a starting point. They also don't always have the option of hanging out in the shade (Hey, where would YOU plant an improvised, explosive device?).
Another thing that might hamper our soldiers is that their clothing is not designed to facilitate evaporative cooling whereas I can wear loose-fitting tee-shirts, floppy-sloppy shorts and a big straw hat.
I don't say all of those things to minimize heat exhaustion or heat stroke but simple to note that there are mitigating factors.
Joe added a bit more on the solar generator-CPAP-Heat thread.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you get notifications if posting on older threads or not.
About your comment about soldiers and heat exhaustion.
ReplyDeleteThe average age of soldiers doing that was about 24 years old.
Young, fit and constantly being supervised about hydration and avoiding heat casualties. NCO's could face punishment if too many of his soldiers fell to heat exhaustion requiring medivac.
Heat exhaustion often was the #1 reason for medivac, NOT IED's and combat. Heat.
Still pretty hard on them as when I retired the average number of 40 somethings retiring and dying too soon was a real issue. Many of my peers that retired later than I did are already dead from disease processes mostly from hard use of their bodies. AKA like old school coal miners and old school farmers.
As your postings show you work alone most of the time, I am a bit concerned about things like that. If that annoys you I will stop posting about it friend.
I am not annoyed.
DeleteWith regard to comments, a blog with a healthy comment ecosystem should be like a good basketball game. People go to basketball games to watch the players play basketball, not to watch officials "flex" their authority and knowledge of arcane rules.
If I am going to error, then I hope to error on the side of free-flow rather than over-control. It doesn't mean I won't nuke some comments, just that I will agonize a scintilla before tossing them in the spam-folder.
For my information, what kind of "heat indexes" were typical of the lower Tigris/Euphrates (like Basra) in mid-summer? What about your A-o-O when you were over-there? My guess is 120F-to-130F vs mid-Michigan's peak 101F-105F.
Honestly, we were not informed about heat indexes while in country.
DeleteBut most desert areas I've been invited to were often Damn hot during the day, and often surprisingly cold at night.
Made me wonder why I didn't follow my father's service in the Navy some days.
Just be careful buddy. You're interesting to chat with.
60 seconds of noodling around on the internet
Deletehttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/4/extreme-heat-hits-iraq-as-temperatures-exceed-50-degrees-celsius
Oh, and the power is down.
Hydration is ALWAYS the key
ReplyDeleteLifelong desert rat here. When did 'drink a lot of water' grandma always said, turn into 'hydration?' (/rhetorical) Urine should be light, clear-ish, and shiny - or you are not getting enough water.
ReplyDeleteAnd shade - you can always take it with you. Hats, or I always like the way Omar Sharif and others in Lawrence of Arabia use the little sticks and some cloth to funnel the breeze into their shaded area. Working survey crew in AZ sun we would wear those hard hats with brim all the way around, then add plastic clip on tinted shields that added a couple more inches. Of course, if you can find a Mexican store and get a real sombrero or very large brimmed cowboy hat - those work, too. (Dry heat hear so may not work as well back their in the swamp.)