Got a monkey, and he was evil!

Lou Bunn

Lou Bunn

New member
The old farmers I use to work for back in my teen years would say that the "monkey" would get on your back if you didn't drink water. Well, as know-it-all teenagers, we'd laugh about it - until you realized that you AREN'T sweating and feel about as weak as a new born kitten. Let me tell you, old folks aren't dumb, they didn't get to be old by being stupid!
So, fast foward to this weekend. I'm retired, but occasionally work way too much for friends. This was the case, see, I ain't use to the heat and working outside like I was back in the day, so I had forgot about the monkey. I worked all day Friday on a SUV, then all day Saturday on a ski boat (yeah - real good friend!) and Sunday, the wife had her list of chores. It was later Sunday afternoon I was relaxing with the family, enjoying Miller Time, and grilling, that I really set myself up. The final nail - cup of coffee and some doughnuts after dinner. You probably know that beer and coffee cause you to pee - a lot, and when you're already down on body fluids, well, say hello to Bonzo!
I got up Monday morning, struggled to brush my teeth and though I would pass out. I felt like I had a bad fever. It took a few quarts of gatoraid to get me back to normal (no jokes)

So, watch out when it's hot out there!
 
Well I'm glad to hear you ended up alright. Seems like it could have been more serious with all that work in the heat and not hydrating. Also I would like to add if it is hot out and you think you are hydrating but not having to ever pee then you still need more fluids. I play golf often in the summer in the desert and it is weird drinking around 10 waters and a couple gatorades never once having to go.
 
I absolutely understand. When I detailed full time I worked out of my garage. As of right this minute it is 96º and 62% humidity....low for this time of year. You can imagine what July and August are like. Although I always drank tons of water one day I felt dizzy and almost took a header onto the concrete floor. THAT got my attention and helped me decide to slowly bring the detailing gig to a halt.

When it got to the point where it took two days to mow the yard I hired someone for that chore although I enjoyed doing it. Sometimes you just gotta admit to yourself that it's simply time to back off....not an easy thing to do either.
 
thanks for reminding us lou. a lot of times when we are detailing, it's easy to overlook hydration(before, during, and after) when you are just trying to finish your work.
 
I often skip on eating/drinking when detailing because i am rushing for time. I did have to remind myself at least about water..Especially when working in the sun, you start to see white!
 
After a few years at Fort Benning, GA, Fort Gordon, GA, Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Bliss, TX, I'm well accustomed to heat and hot weather injuries.

In addition to water, make sure you're eating food with a decent amount of sodium. If you're missing on that part, sports drinks will help more than water. I've treated more than a few of my Soldiers for heat stroke...
 
Good advice. I am a advid water drinker in the heat. And at work. Power/gator/aid is also good. Worse thing you can drink in the heat is...

POP or BEER.
 
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