From your GCSAA Field Staff, Kevin Doyle:
It seems like every year I am asked by a member to consider writing about a health-related item specific to our outdoor profession. Recently one member addressed an issue he had at his facility and inquired if I would help spread the word about proper hydration. Keeping hydrated is an extremely important health concern, and despite my personal efforts to encourage my athlete/golf course employee daughter to drink plenty of fluids, I am no expert. So here are some tips for you and the staff from those in the know. Some tips to stay hydrated, and equally important (as the above member pointed out) concerns to look for regarding dehydration. Nebraska Medicine: University Health Center provide some excellent advice to remain in top form when it comes to remaining hydrated. How much water should a person drink in a day? About 20% of our daily fluid intake comes from the food we eat and the rest from the liquids we drink. The amount of water intake you need depends on the sex you were assigned at birth. According to the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, men should drink 3.7 liters (about 16 cups) and women 2.7 liters (about 11 cups) of fluid per day. You need to drink even more water if you exercise, sweat or have an illness. Their ten tips look like this:
Many of these tips set up well for success if the team will buy in. While the steps seem simple enough, overlooking adequate hydration during the typical Northeast summer wouldn’t take long to lead to serious issues. What might they look like? Folks at the Mayo Clinic remind us when it's hot and humid, your risk of dehydration and heat illness increases. That's because when the air is humid, sweat can't evaporate and cool you as quickly as it normally does, and this can lead to an increased body temperature and the need for more fluids. Thirst isn't always a reliable early indicator of the body's need for water. Many people, particularly older adults, don't feel thirsty until they're already dehydrated. That's why it's important to increase water intake during hot weather or when you're ill. Working outside as we in the golf industry do, it is important to understand the heightened risk. The signs and symptoms of dehydration also may differ by age, for adults:
Dehydration can lead to serious complications, including:
Remaining safe during the stressful summer months is extremely important to our entire industry. While our grounds team is typically of first and foremost concern, those playing our sport can easily fall victim to the same issues as our golf maintenance staff can. Please consider communicating the symptoms to your staff as their vigilance can easily pay dividends for others. Understanding how to save turf from heat stress is important, knowing how to save a person from heat stress can be life changing To read the full articles, please see the links below: https://health.unl.edu/10-tips-staying-hydrated-summer%C2%A0 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086 |