Executing activities at night can minimize water loss. Salt loss is high in personnel who either have not adapted to the environment or have adapted but are subjected to strenuous activity under heat stress. Replenishing this salt is important. Normally, adding a little more salt to food during preparation is enough to replenish the salt level. If larger amounts are required, the flight surgeon should be consulted.
Adaptation is essential to prevent heat injury.
A good plan of adaptation is based on a gradual increase in physical stress rather than a mere subjection of personnel to heat. Acclimation to heat can be attained in 4 to 5 days. Full heat acclimation takes from 7 to 14 days with two to three hours per day of carefully supervised exercise in the heat. In direct sunlight, an individual should wear loose clothing for adequate ventilation and evaporative cooling. In a hot environment, clothing protects an individual from solar radiation but reduces the loss of body heat from convection and conduction.