LATEST UPDATE : 01 AUGUST 2006

19 & 21 JULY 2006 - © COPYRIGHT PROTECTED 2006 STICHTING THE UNICORN FOUNDATION . *.PDF FORMAT AVAILABLE  !

We have conducted (extensive) research under the link just above .

Summary :

IN THIS ARTICLE SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO FACTORS THAT WILL CAUSE OR AGGRAVATE HEAT STRESS.

THE FOLLOWING TOPICS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND/OR DISCUSSED :

ABSENCE OF SWEATING - TEMPERATURE HYPERSENSITIVITY - HEAT HYPERSENSITIVITY

Environmental factors :

SPECIAL VULNERABILITY OF APARTMENTS IN DENSELY POPULATED (LARGE CITY) AREA’S .

SOME (ADDITIONAL) PREVENTION AND CURATIVE MEASURES .

__________________________________________________________________________

Extended summary :

Individual factors :

ABSENCE OF SWEATING .

ABSENCE OR REDUCTION OF SWEATING WILL INCREASE THE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO HEAT STRESS (VERY) CONSIDERABLY .

Comparing water (sweating) and dry air as heat conductors research indicates that Water conducts heat some fifty times better then air : water conducts heat , air isolates heat . (e.g.TNO publication November 2005, pg. 16 -s. v.d. Sluis) .

This would almost certainly fully account for the fact that people with reduced or complete absence of sweating will be more sensitive to heat stress , relative to the degree of that reduction or absence .

Periodical cold spray method .

When fighting seriously discomforting warm temperature it is very important to keep the head moist , preferably wet .

One simple way to do this , is by spraying it with water when it gets dry .

Simple portable household devices which are used to spray plants are ideal for this purpose . They can be carried when outside or taken along in cars .

If possible the moist head should subsequently be more or less permanently be subjected to airflow , e.g. from a fan or other available source .

We find this the simplest way to STAY COOL  !

Latest update 01 August 2006 .      Saved and available in *.PDF.

This text is partly based on reactions regarding 1. Periodical cold drip method , 2. Periodical cold spray method and 3. Additional findings .

Regarding 1 and 2 : Main problems : Frequent water drops around the apartment are a nuisance especially when working with computers .

Comment : We fully acknowledge and recognize this problem and will elaborate on it below .

Discussion of problems .

It must be remembered that we are describing methods to deal with very dangerous and potentially life threatening (mortal combat) conditions , especially for particular groups (e.g. senior citizens) .

The fact that such subjects ( e.g. senior citizens with temperature hypersensitivity) could even continue to do very complex work with computers and other complex electronic equipment in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius for periods exceeding 8 hrs a day merely illustrates the possibilities of the method .

It must however be emphasized here that working with electronic equipment in conditions with water in many places is dangerous and should only be done by individuals used to doing this under potentially lethal conditions, unless there is practically no other possibility .

Additional findings .

This method consist of wearing wet overclothes covering (thin) clothes underneath .

Essentially this means that e.g. a second shirt is worn over the first shirt .

The second shirt is completely soaked in (clean) water , properly wrenched out and then put over the first shirt.

The second (now wet) shirt will normally not be dripping excessively since it has been properly wrenched out .

It will now start drying but will still gradually wet or at least moisten the dry shirt underneath . Additionally it will subtract heat from this shirt (and the skin) below as a result off its evaporation process.

Advantages of this method .

Dripping can be reduced in comparison to methods 1 and 2 above .

Putting the wet shirt on over the dry shirt does not give an uncomfortable "cold shock" as maybe the case when putting wet clothes on directly on the bare skin (which may lead to risky postponement of this) .

"Overclothes" can also apply to relevant trousers and head-gear .

Social factors : Since no clothes have to be taken off the procedure does not have comparable delicate aspects when applied in the company off others . e.g. It could also easily be applied out in the open under relevant circumstances .

It is suggested that the procedure be practiced and facilitated in relevant situations to make it a commonly accepted procedure under heat wave conditions .

It may be important to note that getting accustomed to procedures as described above may take time and practise and other conditions (like funding!) may have to be fulfilled first . This should be considered especially when heat wave danger may be temporarily reduced .

jpk&jas (in haste) .

TEMPERATURE HYPERSENSITIVITY .

This is a known (organic) condition which makes the subject hypersensitive to small variations in temperature .

(see search results for a rough orientation) .

HEAT HYPERSENSITIVITY .

With temperature hypersensitivity a subject is hypersensitive to small deviations of temperature (e.g. more then 1 degree centigrade) below and above an individual "reference" temperature .

With heat hypersensitivity a subject is only hypersensitive for deviations of temperature above a certain temperature .

(see search results for a rough orientation ) .

THE ABOVE SUGGESTS THAT A PERSON WITH TEMPERATURE HYPERSENSITIVITY WOULD MORE OFTEN BE IN DISCOMFORT (e.g. elderly people with a reduced peripheral circulation) .

Environmental factors :

POOR AIR CIRCULATION .

It is well known that air (flow) circulation may vary considerably from one dwelling to an other . This can depend on many factors such as the position and number of windows in relation to prevailing winds . this is obviously an important factor determining in house temperature . Special procedures have therefore been developed to study air (flow) circulation in dwellings (see e.g.  more . . . ) .

INSECTS (LIKE MOSQUITOES) .

One problem that has probably not been fully understood by everyone concerned is that many inhabitants have insufficient protection against insects (such as mosquitoes) and ultimately have to decide to keep there windows closed . One mosquito in the room at night can drive people crazy and fully disturb their recuperation sleep .

It must be clear that keeping the windows closed at night is disastrous for in-house temperature under heatwave conditions , when at night temperatures may drop (even considerably) with clear skies through which a bright sun will shine on the roofs during the day . . . .

The relevant inhabitants are confronted with a reality of impossible odds between which they must choose . . . .

SPECIAL VULNERABILITY OF APARTMENTS IN DENSELY POPULATED (LARGE CITY) AREA’S .

When buildings are close together , wind - meaning airflow - is kept out . Thus it is quite common to have hardly any wind in and around such apartment while storm is blowing nearby . Sometimes this can be a blessing but sometimes it merely increasing the heatwave hell . . . .

Obviously this particularly applies to larger cities which are increasingly blessed by waves of construction activity involving higher and higher apartment buildings .

SOME (ADDITIONAL) PREVENTION AND CURATIVE MEASURES .

Our most relevant links :

Periodical cold drip method .

Periodical cold spray method .

Wet overclothes method .

Caution : As a result of heat subjects may get "lazy" and "forget" or don't bother to spray ! Also, the initial sudden contact with cold water may feel uncomfortable ! It is the prolonged water exposure from the moistened skin that counts !

This paper will be extended depending on reactions we receive .

21 JULY 2006

SOME SEARCH QUERIES & SEARCH RESULTS

TRY :

MORE ON AIRFLOW CIRCULATION IN DWELLINGS .

(REMEMBER : NOT ALL APARTMENTS HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING ETC. . OUR SHEPHERDS MAY NOT HAVE THE FAINTEST IDEA OF WHAT MANY OF THERE SHEEP ARE GOING THROUGH . . .) .

MOST RELEVANT HYPERLINKS HEATWAVE

"ABSENCE OF SWEATING" .

ANHIDROSIS .

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES FOR ANHIDROSIS .

"DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES" FOR ANHIDROSIS .

"POOR AIR CIRCULATION" IN "APARTMENT BUILDINGS" STUDIES .

"TEMPERATURE HYPERSENSITIVITY" .

"HEAT HYPERSENSITIVITY" .

jpk&jas

© COPYRIGHT PROTECTED 2006 STICHTING THE UNICORN FOUNDATION .

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