Working outside on a film set can be equally exciting, boring and challenging especially on long days outside in the elements. Hydration and finding cooling options are a top priority to keep the production, cast and crew moving along!
Specific to the production of Elijah and George Trailer Shoot April 8, 2023:
The weather is forecast to be in the 60's, however, as a precaution and unpredictable weather patterns in Virginia, please come prepared for warmer temperatures.
Various electrolyte drinks will be provided.
Clean fresh water will be plentiful.
Find some shade when not filming or called up to a scene.
Bring a personal cooling device such as a neck bandana.
IF YOU OR A FELLOW CAST OR CREW MEMBER EXHIBITS ANY SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION, OR HEAT RELATED ILLNESS, OR INJURY, GET HELP, CALL 911, NOTIFY THE 1st AD AND FILM PRODUCERS ASAP!
BE AWARE OF THE RISKS AND SIGNS OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESS.
Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness. Children and teens adjust more slowly than adults do to changes in environmental heat. They also produce more heat with activity than adults, and sweat less. Sweating is one of the body's normal cooling mechanisms. Children and teens and also adults may not think to rest when having fun and may not drink enough fluids when participating in outdoor activities.
Children, teens and adults who are overweight or have heart issues or chronic health problems, or those who take certain medicines, or those over 60 years old, may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
There are 3 types of heat-related illnesses:
Heat cramps
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Please consider these tips to stay hydrated while being outside in hot and humid weather.
Staying properly hydrated is one of the keys to comfort and performance while spending hours on an outdoor film set in the summer months. The benefits can include more energy and endurance, and a decrease in recovery time after filming a long strenuous scene. To help you stay hydrated on a film set, please consider the following tips:
Find Some Shade
If you are not in scene, or are waiting for the camera to roll, find some shade, if feasible and time allows take off extra layers of clothing. The Old Stables building is temperature controlled.
Preventing Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids, usually through sweating, exceeds the amount taken in. If you don’t counteract this by drinking water, you risk becoming dehydrated. The following signs are a tipoff that your fluid intake is insufficient:
Early signs of dehydration:
Dry mouth
Decrease in energy or performance
More serious symptoms of dehydration:
Cramps
Headaches
Nausea
Dark or brightly colored urine with less volume. (Note that certain foods and drinks, like those containing B12 vitamins, can cause urine to be bright yellow, so urine color isn’t as reliable as other symptoms.)
The remedy for dehydration is simple: Drink fresh clean water. It’s better to take frequent sips of water rather than chugging larger amounts infrequently. Adding in sports/energy drinks can help restore electrolytes.
Preventing Overhydration
The flip side to dehydration is overhydration, or hyponatremia. This is a fairly rare condition that mainly affects endurance athletes such as marathon runners, ultrarunners and triathletes.
In hyponatremia, sodium levels in the blood become so diluted that cell function becomes impaired. In very extreme cases, hyponatremia may cause coma and even death.
The symptoms of hyponatremia are similar to dehydration: fatigue, headache and nausea, causing some people to mistakenly drink more water and exacerbate the issue.
Preventing overhydration: Drinking compulsively to prevent dehydration can instead lead to hyponatremia. The key to preventing overhydration is to monitor how much you drink.
Don’t overdrink: Stick to drinking about 10 fl. oz. about every 20 minutes and try not to drink more than you sweat. Weight gain is a telltale sign that you're drinking too much.
Maintain a healthy sodium level: Keep your sodium level in balance by eating snacks that contain it or drinking a sports drink with sodium.
Resource for preventing heat related illnesses - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/heatrelated-illnesses-heat-cramps-heat-exhaustion-heat-stroke
What are heat cramps?
Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat illness and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat.
What is heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps and results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly and, if left untreated, can progress to heat stroke.
What is heat related stroke?
Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms and first-aid measures for heat injuries
The following chart contains the most common symptoms of heat-related illness. Specific treatment will be determined by your child's doctor and may include some, or more, of the following:
Condition Symptoms First-aid and Treatment
Heat cramps
Painful cramps, especially in the legs
Flushed, moist skin
Move to a cool place and rest. Do not continue to participate in the activity.
Remove excess clothing and place cool cloths on skin; fan skin.
Give cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar.
Stretch cramped muscles slowly and gently.
Heat exhaustion
Muscle cramps
Pale, moist skin
Usually has a fever over 100.4° F (or 34° C)
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Fatigue
Weakness
Anxiety, and faint feeling
Move to a cool place and rest.
Remove excess clothing and place cool cloths on skin; fan skin.
Give cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar.
If no improvement or unable to take fluids, take your child to an emergency department immediately. IV (intravenous) fluids may be needed.
Heat stroke
Warm, dry skin
high fever, usually over 104° F (or 40° C)
Rapid heart rate
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Fatigue
Confusion
Agitation
Lethargy
Stupor
Seizures, coma, and death are possible
Move to a cool place and rest.
Call 911 or your local emergency medical service. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and needs to be treated by a doctor.
Remove excess clothing and drench skin with cool water; fan skin.
Place ice bags on the armpits and groin areas.
Offer cool fluids if alert and able to drink.
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