Hot Weather Trooping

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

Even though some areas have not hit the 80 degree (or higher) mark yet, summer is outdoor trooping time!  While many of us are old pros at this, those who have not participated in an outdoor troop on a hot/humid day should be aware of one word:  Hydration.

 

While most of the public will be wearing shorts and T-shirts, we are sporting a full body suit and are 95% covered with plastic... not exactly the perfect scenario to stay cool in the mid-day sun.  Keeping your body properly hydrated is the key to successfully making it through your troop.  Having cooling fans in your bucket certainly helps, but here are some pointers to stay safe (and upright, lol). 

 

THE DAY BEFORE

Water-  Plain and simple.  To get your body ready, increase your consumption (in moderation) the day before.  This will help hydrate you at the cellular level.  A slow/steady intake the morning of and during the event will ensure that you make it through with no issues.  The best way to tell if you are good to go is if your urine is clear .

 

THE DAY OF

Again, water.  Drink as much as you feel comfortable drinking before and during.  IMPORTANT:  The sun is hot, you are sweating like a snowball on Tatooine so you decide to take a break.  You take off your bucket and chug a big bottle of ice cold water.  Bad idea.  When your body is overheating, quickly drinking a big frosty container any beverage (even blue milk) constricts your blood vessels and can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, esophageal spasms (chest pains/cramping), shock and worse. Take a few sips at a time over the course of your break(s).

 

SPORTS DRINKS

If you are going to in the heat for several hours, adding a product that contains carbs, potassium, sodium and amino acids will help, but don't use them instead of water.  Save those for afterward.

 

COFFEE/TEA/SODA

No need to skip your morning coffee/tea (or in my case Mountain Dew) in moderation, but be aware that caffeine is a diuretic, and too much can actually cause dehydration.

 

IF YOU FEEL TOO HOT

If you feel dizzy or need a break, it's nothing to be ashamed of so don't be a hero.  Inform a handler immediately to escort you back to the break area.  If one is not close by, don't wait, just go.  If you feel really bad, have the person trooping closest to you to escort you back and stay with you.  Even if in armor, sit down and drink small sips of cool (not ice cold) water.  Call for medical help if you feel nauseated or dizzy.  

 

I have seen my share of troopers go down from the Florida heat.  Not a pretty sight, so please be safe!

[themaninthesuitcase[Admin]]

Whilst not Florida hot we now get our share of warm weather now. I’ll iterate again the secret is to Hydrate the day before and then manage it appropriately on the day. 
 

It’s also worth remembering it’s not just the sun to worry about. Convention halls can get hot when full of 1000s of people and you won’t be paying as much attention as you’re inside. 
 

And don’t be a hero. When you’re done you’re done, there’s no shame in that.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

And it's not always heat, the humidity can affect you more, I was at a con on the weekend, Saturday wearing my Din (basically wearing 3 quilts) I was moist in places I never normally get, was 80% humidity but only a 30degC day. I normally try to keep in kit for the whole day but just couldn't do it, had to remove and I can tell you pieces were dripping, it was not pleasant putting the costume back on either, soaked, clammy, steamy on skin. Energy drinks or hydrolytes can definitely help, you need someone a little more than just water, it just doesn't cover what you body is loosing.

 

When you think you should have a break you'll probably find you shouldn't have gone earlier, don't push it, I did once in my early costume days, basically had 3 people stripping of my armor with fluids and wet towel at the ready, what was funny was it had been overcast so not in full sun, I'd just been trooping too long. 

 

 

[68Brick[TK]]

All great advice. I'll add ... Add fans! ... and check that they work! Most of us have at least 2 fans in our helmets, and they help ... but I've seen, and experienced, fan failure. The week before a troop, check that your fans work, and move around the wiring and batteries that feed them. You might discover a failing wire or connection that will of course fail on the day of your troop. Check the fan positioning too; ensure they blow the air where you want, and check that they wont change position when your trooping. If you're fans aren't cutting it, try a different vendor, or double you fan count. You can also add fans to areas outside your helmet. I run two fans fed by a dedicated USB battery bank and switch under my chest plate, and the same setup under by back plate. Yes, I have fans that blow on my body! They don't get much fresh air supply, but they keep me going and trooping, con or outdoors. Give it a try!

[FN1313[TK]]

One saying I’ve said many times is “Don’t be a hero.” No need to over exert or try to go longer just because. Take time to rest and hydrate. Especially for long troops. If you have spotters or staff keep them informed, train them to regularly do the thumbs up check (if they don’t do it). That is every 10 minutes or so they go to all the troopers establish eye contact and thumbs up. If the trooper returns a thumbs up they go to the next. Be honest and give a thumbs down or sideways if need be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sly11[Admin]]

The big issue with humidity is the fact your body struggles to regulate your own temperature.

If you cant evaporate which is how the human body decreases it temp, you hit the wall a lot quicker and can also suffer heat stroke because of it.

Hydration and cooling both very important.

 

The other thing you cant beat is a vigilant handler, or wrangler.

The experienced will always check in on all troopers in their care on a stand at a con etc. They also always have water on hand.

If you are new to the hobby and just building your first costume, make sure you pair up with an experienced member to see what we do and how important it is to check in frequently with those in costumes.

You are our eyes, ears and carer while we are in costume doing our thing.

If someone has been out for a long period and says they are fine when you do ask, get them a water anyway or have it on hand and suggest they take a break.

 

Great post Joseph and a good reminder for those where the weather is starting to warm up.

Apparently its supposed to be cooling down here in Australia but still got 30degree centigrade + days happening lol.

[plushie[TK]]

Fantastic post and superb tips! 

There are also heat gear styled caps, towels and skull caps that you can soak in water and wear under your bucket or costume that will help use your own sweat to keep you cool. I'm in CO which is a drier climate and the UV rays are stronger at this elevation. Lack of humidity makes it easy to underestimate what the sun will do to you when outside. 

I'll echo what others said, don't be a hero. Also, listen to your body. 

Stay safe, troopers!

[revlimiter[Staff]]

This is a super timely post. to all who contributed, especially @justjoseph63

 

I got super dehydrated at a recent troop. It was an EVENING, INDOOR troop in pleasant weather. It totally snuck up on me. Over 50 troops to my credit and I managed to get dehydrated at a fairly low key, chill indoor troop.... it can happen any time. I apparently didn't drink enough that day before the troop.  Took me nearly a day to recover.

 

Stay hydrated out there troopers!