From Safety Briefing to Hospital

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jack B. Gilliland
  • 94th Airlift Wing Safety Office
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  The tale you are about to read is true. I was on base for the week of June 15 through 19 for Annual Training with the 94th Airlift Wing safety office. This particular week, Air Force Reserve Command aerial port squadrons from across the country were competing in the Port Dawg Challenge – a regular competition between units involving various APS related tasks: loading aircraft, securing payloads, etc.

All but two events were held outdoors on the flight line where conditions were severe: temperatures would exceed 95 degrees with humidity peaking at 62 percent. I was tasked with safety oversight of the event and responsible for providing an effective safety briefing.

On Tues., June 16, during the opening ceremonies of the Port Dawg Challenge, I briefed the entire group on different aspects of safety related to this event. I carefully emphasized the effects of heat upon the body and stressed hydration. Previous challenge’s had seen Airmen fall out due to heat stress and related injuries. These were mentioned as a reminder to all of the hazards of the Georgia summer.

From 7:30 a.m. on, outside temperatures rose steadily. I walked from event to event, ensuring participants were hydrating. Indeed, I made sure that I followed my own advice and continually drank water. Sadly, it wasn’t enough.

Clear skies meant full sunshine and hot conditions on area concrete runways. While others removed their uniform tops to help circulate air and reduce body temperatures, I chose to keep mine on. Despite taking a rest break in the morning and pausing for lunch, by the end of the day I felt the effects of the heat: my head ached, I felt nauseous, and had occasional chills (both indoors and out). My goal was to drink more water on my 50 minute drive home to Cherokee County and relax/recover once there.

However, I grew worse enroute. To this day, I’m not sure how I made it safely home and don’t remember the next 24 hours.

Thankfully, I recently bought a home and was having it painted. My painter noticed something was wrong – I was unusually pale, lifeless. He called 9-1-1. Paramedics took me to the nearest hospital where I was diagnosed as severely dehydrated with dangerously low salt/saline levels.

When I finally woke up, I found myself in the critical care unit. The doctors and nurses kept asking me my name and birthday – a neurological question to check for cognitive function. I spent one more night in the hospital for observation. When my salt levels returned to normal, I was finally released - two days after I gave my safety briefing at the Port Dawg Challenge.

What did I learn from the 48-hour ordeal?

1. Be hydrated prior to the event, especially if there is a possibility for heat stress or heat stroke.

2. During and after the event, hydrate by drinking water AND sports drinks. Doctors told me the salt in sports drinks might have made the difference had I started drinking some earlier.

3. When it’s hot outside - and authorized - remove the uniform top. When air freely circulates around the body, you’ll be that much cooler.

4. Listen to your body. If you’re experiencing symptoms of heat stress, seek medical attention promptly. Had I seen a medic before leaving base, I might have been able to avoid the two-night ordeal in the hospital.