Managing Heat During Operations

Police officers conducting special operations are tasked with wearing riot gear during periods of extreme heat. As if facing threats from unruly mobs and protests wasn’t enough, law enforcement personnel have the risk of heat stroke. Restrictive and heavy protective clothing and gear can restrict airflow and exacerbate dehydration.

An estimated 170,000 workers suffer heat exposure annually, and as many as 2,000 people lose their lives. For peace officers to finish their shifts without incident, agencies need to invest in riot gear equipment that supports hydration during critical operations.

How Can Protective Equipment Lead to Heat Stress?

The human body constantly thermoregulates to function properly. When conditions change, our internal systems are triggered to restore a core temperature between 97.7 and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the common ways the body attempts to adjust to heat is by sweating. Moisture on the skin is designed to help cool us off and get our core temperature back in a healthy range.

Wearing personal protective equipment such as riot gear can hinder the positive effects of sweating. When the layers of stab- and impact-resistant protective suits cling to the body and reduce air circulation, police officers are at a heightened risk of illnesses such as heat stress.

Police at Risk of Heat-Related Illnesses

A heat-related condition typically presents when the body cannot maintain a core temperature within a healthy range. It’s essential to remember that our internal systems will continue to work tirelessly to prevent overheating. When our cooling system fails, these are conditions humans suffer.

• Dehydration: When the body releases more fluid than it consumes, the net loss results in dehydration. People who lack a healthy fluid balance become irritable, tired, confused, and light-headed. Officers who suffer dehydration may find their muscles cramping, limiting their ability to move, perform their duties, or defend themselves from assailants.
• Heat Exhaustion: One of the more common heat-related ailments. Heat exhaustion results in nausea, intense headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. It comes about when the body cannot effectively thermoregulate its core temperature.
• Heat Rash: Prickly rashes on the skin can be associated with heat stress and can lead to infection.
• Heat Syncope: Heat-related conditions can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. It’s not uncommon for people struggling with heat sickness to experience extreme dizziness and fainting spells. This condition is caused by an inability to circulate blood to the brain. Officers engaged in physical activity or continuous standing are at greater risk of heat syncope.

Heat stroke occurs when the core temperature reaches 104 degrees. It is considered the most severe condition due to its impact on the central nervous system, damage to organs, seizures, and loss of consciousness. In some cases, heat stroke can prove fatal.

Managing Heat Health During Operations

Supervisors and safety experts must consider the prevailing factors as rank-and-file officers prepare for explosive situations and prolonged unrest. Peak temperature hours and exposure to direct sunlight must be accounted for when men and women are deployed. It’s also essential to review local weather reports that speak to the “heat index.” This metric relates to how the human body experiences heat and humidity in the air. Heat indexes can be significantly higher than the number on a thermometer. These are factors that must be deftly managed to handle crowd control, violent outbreaks, and other operations under heat duress.

• Physical Exertion: Supervisors need to monitor the duration and intensity of officers’ physical exertion. Men and women engaged in crowd control should be rotated out and given rest. Portable hydration stations or access to water are essential for hydration.
• Acclimation: Officers accustomed to working day shifts during hot summer months are more likely to handle rising temperatures than others. The body naturally adjusts to environmental factors. That’s why second- and third-shift patrol officers must be monitored closely for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Today’s police professionals require lightweight equipment and riot suits that provide agility and adequate airflow and are outfitted with hydration systems. Communities ask the women and men who comprise the thin blue line to maintain order under harsh conditions. Riot suits must protect the body from sharp objects and hard impacts while minimizing the risk of a heat-related ailment.

Haven Gear diligently works with departments to outfit officers with lightweight riot suits integrated with cooling and hydration systems. These suits can be quickly accessorized for heightened operations. Contact us today to learn more about our products.