BOOTHWYN, PA …As summer temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness and fatality. For outdoor activities, it’s critical to monitoring the environmental conditions to prevent heat stress. Whether you’re outside for sport or for your job, Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters provide instant, accurate information to monitor conditions when safety is at stake.

Athletic trainers, hikers, bikers, and anyone engaging in exercise outdoors can prevent heat injury by monitoring heat stress index for potentially unsafe levels. Heat Stress Index is used to measure the effects of the environment on the human body. The Heat Stress Index is a calculation based on air temperature and humidity, as well as a number of assumptions, to estimate what the current conditions feel like on the human body.

Wildland firefighters must perform in extreme summer temperatures. Knowing the relative humidity right at the scene of the fire allows them to make decisions for safety and firefighting strategy.  Instantly, firefighters can get temperature, humidity, wind speed, heat index, and more. In addition to getting critical information for containing the fire, heat index provides vital data in keeping emergency personnel safe. Dave Hostler, PhD, a Research Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Emergency Responder Human Performance Lab at University of Pittsburgh says, “Once we have the Heat Index in hand, we can determine the intensity of our fireground rehab practices.”

When firefighters have their heavy gear on, things can get dangerously hot quickly. “We have taken a conservative approach and decided that any temperature above 80 on the heat index requires active cooling or an air-conditioned vehicle/structure for firefighter and hazmat technician rehab,” said Hostler. “Above this temperature there is always some potential for heat injury.”

Even for those of us who won’t be spending the summer in fighting fires, its important to keep an eye on the heat index and always ensure everyone is hydrated during outdoor activities. “Prevention is always better than treatment,” says Hostler. “Even using the best practices, heat stress can take hours to correct once it occurs.  Drink plenty of fluids, rest often, and think about heat stress before it occurs.”

Every Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter is backed by a five year warranty and is designed, developed, built, tested and supported here in the USA. Nielsen-Kellerman’s Kestrel Weather division has been researching, developing and manufacturing technically advanced portable weather instruments for more than twelve years and owns multiple patents on their unique features. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are employed by thousands of users in hundreds of different activities around the world.

- Know Your Conditions -

For more information, contact Monica Devlin at 610.447.1555 X 306

mdevlin@nkhome.com
or visit www.nkhome.com.