Summer Heat Stroke Concerns For Wildlife and the Wildlife Control Operator
http://www.uswildlifecontrol.com/2013/05/summer-heat-stroke-concerns-for.html

For starters, let talk about wildlife and things the Wildlife Control Operator can do to prevent heat stroke in animals we capture. Heat stress can be fatal, “Never leave any animal pet or wildlife in a parked car – even for a few minutes with the windows partially open – fatal heat stroke can occur within minutes.” If you are a WCO-Wildlife Control Operator and you have tips to prevent heat stroke in wildlife under your control please share them .

I posted this because I want you guys to understand heat is a big enemy as we roll into this summer. Hydrate .Hydrate. Hydrate. Heat Stroke kills you and the wildlife you capture. Lets remember to be safe out there this summer.
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During the summer all my skunk traps are covered with a thick white cover. Not on the bottom, just the sides and top. Seems to keep the animals cooler. Also try to set in shady areas if possible.

Thank you Baxter.

Other Comments worth passing along off of our Facebook Group

We use an engel cooler, I'm terrible at remembering ice. This cooler/freezer is plugged in within the sprinter and is always full of water.

Also use a phone alarm or watch alarm to remind every 30 min depending on work being done, to drink water.

Clothes for covering skin that breathe, or sunscreen, skin cancer is too much risk to not consider.

Knowing where shade is now and where it will be 3-6 or 10 hours from start is important for a large exclusion structure or placement of live traps.

Great topic, timely as we head toward100 this week in the high desert.

Justin

Do wicking undergarments like UnderArmor help?

Real serious stuff I almost died in a attic in Florida back in 2007 working alone and being stupid. Just don't want the same to happen to any of you.

I seen a lot of extreme temperatures while in uniform from the very hot to the extreme cold.

I can tell you as medic or medical corpsman I can tell you that one minute your fine - the next your acting stupid , and too stupid to realize you are going down. Leaders were the ones making all the decisions and no one watching them kind of reminds me of some of you WCO's sticking your heads in and out of attics.

Heat stroke is a severe form of heat exhaustion that can result in seizures, coma and death if it goes untreated. Technically a type of hypothermia, heat exhaustion is characterized by an exceedingly high body temperature that either causes or is accompanied by other physical and neurological symptoms. If you find that you or someone you care about is suffering from any of the following 10 signs and symptoms of heat stroke, please seek medical attention immediately.

10 Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Each person who suffers from heat stroke will experience it differently depending upon a myriad of factors specific to their circumstance. The top 10 most common signs and symptoms of heat stroke include:

1. Abnormally high body temperature
2. Disorientation and general confusion
3. Hallucinations (usually visual but sometimes aural as well)
4. Speeding pulse/ heartbeat
5. Uncharacteristic behavior and treatment of self and others
6. Agitation or irritation
7. Having a hard time breathing
8. Red or flushed dry skin (no sweating)
9. Seizure
10. Coma

For More on Heat Stroke Visit WebMD http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-stroke-symptoms-and-treatment

Robb, my wife just read your list and says Thanks for finally explaining my problem. Especially numbers 2,3,5,6, and 10.

If your working up on a ladder for an extended period only work in the early am .

Ceramic tiles hold a lot heat and kind of like working in a live grill kind of a slow bake but by noon hot enough to cook your lunch meal. Never started a job that would leave me on a roof after 9 am in the summer in Sarasota Florida.

Pack and carry a canteen of cool water.

Good Subject Robb....Thanks !!

when doing external work on homes you can plan your work around the home starting on the east and working your way around following the shade.......
work roofs in morning and evening....

Remove roof vent and lay cheep fans over the holes to extract heat and create air flow...same procedure over gable vents..

I am finding that we do more and more remediation though a hole in the roof verses the attic entrance...

running you hepa filter in the attic moves a lot of air

Summer safety is important if we can all learn to think safe in the heat.

I expect this too be a very hot summer and probabaly full of hurricanes (Florida is long over due too)
I think it's important to know how to take care of yourself in hot weather and any wildlife or animals under your charge too.

I also am interested in your thoughts on Wildlife work before, during and after a disaster like a Tornado or Hurricane.

Like Vinke said and drink warm or Hot coffee keeps me cool .Animals set in the shadE explane to customers don't move the trap and why