An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 25 Core TemperaTUre managemenT By JoE PRICE Core temperature management (CtM) is one of the most overlooked aspects of survival, yet is one of the most fundamental to your safety. We use fires, sleeping bags and the layering system to manage it. But how do we stay on top of our CtM when on the move in hotter climates? hopefully these few tips below in conjunction with best field practice will help you run smoother for longer when the element of heat is against you. Joe price is one of the co-founders of the "living to learn" bushcraft Community, a member of the irish bushcraft Club and an irish ambassador for mora knives. He works in The Camo Shop www.thecamoshop.ie and you can follow the 'Living to Learn' community online: www.facebook.com/groups/livingtolearn/ The first thing to be aware of with your CTM is your heart rate. The faster it beats the warmer you become. Before your journey starts, avoid nicotine, caffeine or alcohol. These are all designed for quick energy boosts and as such will make your heart work harder, which will raise your body temp. After your heart, be aware of your kidneys. Water is your friend and your kidneys are designed to work most efficiently with water. To main- tain steady CTM it's best to avoid processed sugars and salts. The stomach is the first point of contact for all of the above. When planning your trip try to only use slow release carbs such as oats, pasta and natural nuts. These are easy for the stomach to process and are slow release foods so they won't work the kidneys or the heart too hard and allow for more constant release of energy. Water is vital, but best consumed at room temperature. The stomach can absorb more water when it is slightly lower than body temperature. It is nice to take a cold drink in the shade during the evening, but when on the move in the heat it is best to avoid cold water since it makes your stomach work harder and you can't drink as much to insure hydration. Tips For sTaying Cool on The move Carrying a shemagh or scarf has 100 uses in the field, but soaking a shem- agh in water or river and wrapping around your neck is a way to rapidly lower your core body temp. Wet socks are to be avoided in the winter, but if someone is suffering from heat exhaustion or fever, soaking socks and placing them on the feet without boots will help alleviate the effects of heat. Using a stainless-steel bottle and placing it in a wet sock will lower the temp of the water in the bottle. Placed in direct sunlight with a breeze the water evaporating off the sock has the same effect as sweat on the body, cooling it. This coupled with the wind circulates the cold air around the bottle. Allowing a slight breeze to pass across certain surfaces of the body will drop core temps. Lay down in the "X" position. This is where you sit upright with you arms crossed over your head and legs spread. This allows cooler air to travel across all the major arteries of the body.

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