Weather

It's important to consider the weather when preparing for a volunteer project.

Hot Weather Conditions

Individual differences in heat tolerance are related to fitness, hydration, illness, drugs, medication, and fatigue. Heat stress occurs when the body's temperature rises beyond safe limits.

When working in hot climates (figure 18):

Figure 18—Sabino Canyon, Coronado National Forest.
Courtesy of Steve Slocomb, Hamilton, MT

• Schedule the hardest work during cooler hours of the day. Set a moderate work pace. As the temperature increases, stop for frequent rest periods of at least 15 minutes. Relax in cool locations, where possible.
• Always have an adequate supply of water and sports drinks (with carbohydrates and electrolytes) available.
• To prevent dehydration:
  • Drink 8 to 16 ounces of water before work.
  • Take frequent drinks during each hour of work.
  • Drink as much water as possible at lunch and the evening meal.
  • Continue replacing fluids throughout the evening.
  • Limit caffeine drinks, such as coffee or cola.
• Wear hardhats. They will help keep your head cool.
• Wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored loose clothing that allows air to circulate and sweat to evaporate (while also protecting you from sunburn).
• Refer to the "Health and Safety Code Handbook" (FSH 6709.11) for symptoms and treatment of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Cold Weather Conditions

The best defense against frostbite and hypothermia is to avoid exposure. Always check weather conditions and be familiar with the area before trips. Remember, hypothermia can occur on warm days if a person is exposed to cold water for a prolonged period of time.

While working in cold conditions (figure 19):

Figure 19—East Fork of the Bitterroot River,
Bitterroot National Forest. Courtesy of Steve Slocomb, Hamilton, MT

• Get adequate rest.
• Always anticipate bad weather:
  • Carry additional warm clothing.
  • Dress for the conditions in layers of loose, dry clothes with polypropylene or wool underneath and windproof or waterproof layers on the outside.
  • Ensure that hands, feet, face, neck, and head are covered and well protected.
• Keep active to maintain the body's metabolism and temperature.
• Drink warm water to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinking cold water or eating snow or ice.
• Travel in pairs (at a minimum).
• Refer to the "Health and Safety Code Handbook" (FSH 6709.11) for symptoms and treatment of frostbite and hypothermia.

Lightning

A sudden reversal of wind direction, a pronounced rise in wind speed, and a sharp drop in temperature are indications of a thunderstorm (figure 20). Keep informed; know what the storm is doing.

Figure 20—Volunteers need to take cover when lightning occurs.

During a thunderstorm:

• Put down all tools. Turn off generators and electrical equipment. Do not use radios, telephones, electrical equipment that's plugged in, or plumbing fixtures.
• Stay away from horses and packstock.
• Stay in your vehicle—unless it runs on metal tracks, doesn't have a metal top, or is open.
• Get away from water tanks, ponds, streams, and lakes. Avoid ridgetops, hilltops, wide open spaces, ledges, outcrops, sheds or shelters in exposed locations, or tall objects such as lone trees. Keep away from wire fences, telephone lines, electrically conductive objects, and railroad tracks.
• Take shelter in a building. If no buildings are available, the best protection is a deep cave (lightning is attracted to cave openings), ditch, tunnel, or canyon.
• If you are in an area with isolated trees or open country, the best protection is to make yourself as small a target as possible. Drop to your knees, bend forward with your hands resting on your knees, and keep twice as far from the nearest tree as it is tall. To minimize the flow of the electrical current, keep your feet together. If you have companions, don't stay close to one another.

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