Of all the occupational hazards faced by firefighters, dehydration is one of the most common, and it can be life-threatening in extreme cases.
Here’s why: The radiant heat of the fire, extreme physical exertion, heavy clothing and heightened internal body temperature increase sweat rate – which the body uses to cool itself – and this can quickly deplete the body’s water reserves.
In summer, the dehydration risk faced by firefighters is even more pronounced, (although it’s a year-round concern). For instance, the higher temperatures outdoors contribute to heightened internal body temperatures. Plus, fire risk is always greater in hot summer months (This summer, most of the West is facing an “above normal” fire risk).
Why Is Dehydration Risk More Intense for Firefighters?
To put firefighters’ dehydration risk in perspective, it’s best to compare their sweat rates with athletes. Typical athletic activity leads to an 8-16 oz. loss of water per hour, whereas, firefighters “should anticipate losing 50-70 oz. of sweat in 30-45 minutes,” according to a study.
Performance is greatly compromised when someone is dehydrated, and this decrease has been noticed even in cases of mild dehydration. Studies have shown dehydration contributes to a drop in alertness, concentration and fatigue.
Plus, dehydration and resulting heat exhaustion are contributing factors to sudden cardiac arrest, which accounts for 45% of all firefighting fatalities. This happens because when the body’s fluid reserves are depleted, the heart beats faster to try and cool itself, and therefore, the increased risk.
Oral rehydration solutions like Drip Drop provide fluids and electrolytes quickly when the body is under stress. They help rehydration, but also replace electrolytes that are lost through sweat. Plus, the electrolyte-glucose formula in Drip Drop and other ORS are designed to speed up absorption of water into the body and increase fluid retention.