Conducting Prescribed Fires: A Comprehensive Manual

chapter 9. Personal Safety

Usually, conducting prescribed fires under most circumstances is not an extremely taxing physical activity, especially when everything is working well. But when problems arise or when you work on a challenging unit, burning can be both mentally and physically demanding work. These challenges can test the fitness of every crew member and serve as a reminder of why you need to keep personal safety issues at the forefront of all burn activities. Health Hazards Heat stress can be one of the leading health-related problems encountered while conducting prescribed burns; it can be particularly prevalent during an escaped fire or when burning during warmer months. It is very important for everyone on the burn crew to understand how to avoid and treat heat-related problems. Heat stress occurs when the body’s temperature rises above safe limits and when the water lost by sweating is not replaced. If fluids are not adequately replenished, the body’s temperature-regulating processes begin to break down and body temperature increases. This causes people to have difficulty completing tasks and compromises heart and circulatory functions. Heat-related injuries can take place when both air temperature and relative humidity are high and when there is a lack of wind or air movement. They can also occur when people are conducting strenuous tasks, working around areas of intense radiant heat, or are wearing heavy or nonbreathable protective­ clothing. heat cramps The first level of heat stress is heat cramps, which are painful involuntary muscle contractions caused by a failure to replace fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium (Sharkey 1999). Though not life threatening, if they are not treated, heat cramps can lead to other heat-related problems. Heat cramps can be treated by stretching the affected muscles and by replacing fluids and electrolytes. When you are in the field, electrolytes can be replaced with tomato juice, sport drinks, and lightly salted water. Heat cramps are less likely to occur with adequate fluid intake and a diet that includes bananas, oranges, fresh salads, and a light sprinkling of table salt with meals (Sharkey 1997a). chapter 9 Personal Safety When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. —Isaiah 43:2 Personal Safety 79 heat exhaustion The next level of heat stress is heat exhaustion. Symptoms are weakness or extreme fatigue; staggering walk; wet, clammy skin; headache; nausea; and collapse (Sharkey 1997a). Heat exhaustion is caused by insufficient fluid intake or loss of salts from the body, or a combination of both. The fluid loss causes a reduction in blood volume that drastically inhibits work due to lowered blood oxygen levels; the loss of salts reduces the working capacity of muscles. Treatment for heat exhaustion includes replacing fluids and electrolytes, along with resting in a cool environment. In the field, such an environment would be a shaded area where a breeze is blowing, a shaded area where water could be misted over the victim, or a vehicle with the air conditioning running. heat stroke The final heat-related disorder is heat stroke. This is a medical emergency caused by failure of the body’s heat controls. Sweating stops, and the body temperature rises dangerously high. Symptoms are hot, often dry skin; body temperature above 105.8°F (41°C); confusion; incoherent speech; delirium; loss of consciousness; convulsions; or coma (Sharkey 1997a). If any of these symptoms occurs, seek medical attention immediately.While waiting for assistance, start cooling the victim rapidly with cold water or ice and fan the person to increase evaporation. prevention The main preventive treatment for these heat disorders is to replace lost fluids. In order to stay well hydrated, you should drink water or juice before, during, and after the burn is over. When performing difficult tasks in a warm environment , replace fluids at a rate of 1 quart (0.95 L) per hour. Be sure to drink water, juices, or sports drinks, and limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol (Sharkey 1997a). Be sure to start drinking before you become thirsty or quit sweating. You can use several methods to help prevent heat-stress problems while conducting burns. The first is to wear loose-fitting clothing that will permit air movement through the fibers. The clothing should also allow for the evaporation of sweat and should not insulate you but permit the transfer...