MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- To help combat heat related injuries that can accompany the sizzling summers aboard the Depot, personnel will soon be switching over to hot standard operating procedures.
Hot SOP regulations are in effect from the third week of April to the third week of October, said Lt. Cmdr. Clyde Owen, performance improvement risk manager at the Depot's Branch Medical Clinic.
The different colored flags around the Depot display the amount of outdoor activity Marines and recruits are allowed to partake in, said Gunnery Sgt. Melvin Venable, Recruit Training Regiment operations chief.
Green, red, yellow and black flags depict the weather conditions, with green representing the coolest temperature to black representing the hottest temperature. In extreme conditions, medical personnel may call for an administrative black flag. This condition exists when BMC and the battalion aid stations cannot handle any more heat injuries. An administrative black flag can occur at any time, and immediately black flag conditions and regulations apply.
"A lot of people forget that [the flags] affect active-duty personnel too," said Owen.
As the heat rises, servicemembers need to be on the lookout for potential heat casualty conditions.
According to Owen, heat injuries can be categorized into four basic conditions - heat syncope (a momentary loss of consciousness), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"All are basically caused by overheating," said Owen. "Underlying issues such as dehydration or illness can precipitate injury."
While many variables can lead to becoming a heat casualty, there are a few symptoms to be on the lookout for.
"Some things we look for are developing cramps, sweating too much or not sweating at all and hot, flushed skin," said Owen.
Overheating can have very negative effects if left untreated or allowed to progress too far, said Seaman Josh Sevier, a corpsmen at the Crucible's medical aid station.
The body's muscle's break down, brain cells die and permanent brain damage can occur at high temperatures, said Sevier. When someone overheats, the most important plan of action is to get the person's body to cool down.
"Some treatments we use are cool mists, drinking fluids and getting into a cool environment," said Owen.
So far this year, the worst case Sevier has seen was a recruit with a fever of 108 degrees.
Individuals can prevent overheating by acclimatizing themselves to the environment, drinking adequate amounts of water, eating balanced meals and avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine, said Owen.
Hot SOP is a guide for recommended physical activity during the summer, but caution should be used no matter what time of the year it is, said Owen.
"We don't want injuries because of heat or cold," said Owen. "We don't want to put the Marines at risk for any more injuries. [The Depot] could be in cold SOP, but [there are] still heat injuries. The body does what it does, regardless of outdoor temperature."