Monday, May 18, 2009

Sweating Bullets

It's so hot out right now that they keep giving us 20 minute breaks to cool down. I think I underestimated the Middle Eastern summer in uniform.

How do those guys in the infinitely hotter Iraqi desert do it?

10 comments:

sara said...

Can you bring a small portable fan... I think Shlomo did.

Anonymous said...

love you lots bro and i hope you get to have fun in that heat too! miss you and can't wait to actually talk to you!

Anonymous said...

I think you do it by drinking infinite amounts of water. I remember downing about 2 gallons while hiking at the top of Ein Gedi in August. I didn't realize it had been about 120 until later, but I do know I didn't need a bathroom.

sobersubmrnr said...

They do it by staying hydrated. They chug water constantly, often from Camelbaks they wear in the field. Staying hydrated helps your body maintain a proper core temperature.

Hydrate or die.

http://www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil/downloads/healthyliv/physfit/newsletters/ace/nutrition/healthy_hydration.pdf

http://www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil/downloads/healthyliv/nutrition/urinekleurenkaart.pdf

Lena said...

Ugh the heat was almost unbearable. I couldn't step away from my fan for a second.

Anonymous said...

For what it's worth, it's supposed to be cooler tomorrow and for the next several day. Yesterday was just scalding, uniform or not.

LTC said...

Secrets from an Iraq War vet:
1. Under Armour underwear (t shirts and undershorts). Expensive, but makes a huge difference in the heat. Could not have survived without the stuff.

2. Camelbak when out in the field, and constant drinking bottled water when on base. Kidney stones are actually a not insignificant problem in Iraq due to the dehydration.

Anonymous said...

LTC I could not agree more. I can safely say I am alive today because of my Under Armor underwear. Not forgetting the brave guys I served with.

-Dave

Ami Vider said...

I don't think it's hotter in Iraq. But anything above 45 almost doesn't matter. A car temp in the dead sea goes up to 200 C, which is crazy to even get into. Keep on drinking and sweating it off, that helps to cool you down - a little :)

Anonymous said...

Iraq...by sweating artillery shells. My secret: gatorade!!! Cold gatorade stored in a portable cooler with ice whenever possible. Hot gatorade is a little hard to pass down the old throat.