Very bad experience yesterday

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NinjaPain

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I do detail work for a large manufacturing company. I average around 5 cars every two weeks, which consist of an Express Detail for all cars. My Express Detail includes the Gary Dean method plus an interior, tires, wheels.

It was around 90 yesterday afternoon when I started to work on my last car. All of a sudden I felt terrible pains shoot up my hands. I experienced cramps so severe in my hands that I could not move my hands for minutes. Pain. Bad Pains

15 minutes later I vomited. I tried gulping the water I had in the back of my van, but by that time it was too late. I was having a bout of heat stress. Got so bad that I had to leave at that very moment. I left tires undone--I had no other choice.

Drink water every 15 minutes. Slow down. Rest
 
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Dang! That is scary.

Thanks for sharing. This is a great reminder to the importance of staying hydrated while working out in the heat. Detailing is a tough job, similar to a sporting activity. Always take water breaks when you need them.

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Pain lasted for nearly 3 hours. It wasn't until I got home to take a cold shower when the pain slightly dissolved. It returned every 3, 5, 6 minutes--worst cramps I've ever experienced.
 
When I forget to drink enough water during the day I get ridiculously painful headaches... Borderline migraine status.

This reminds me I need to start bringing a water cooler in the van.

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Hope your doing better now and hope this doesn't happen again. I for personal reasons have to always stay hydrated and have food in my stomach. Regardless if I'm detailing or just walking around the house.
 
Yes, check the color of your urine, if its too dark you need to drink water immediately especially in the heat if your sweating profusely. There is a chart you can print with urine colors that tells you how much water to drink according to color.

Sorry talking about bodily fluids, I'm regular mountain biker and this stuff is important!!
 
It's funny how the body lets you know when its chemistry's off so it's important to remember; hot weather and fluids are vitally important.

The temp here was close to 90 yesterday and the humidity was stifling. I was splitting wood in the hot sun for most of the afternoon and sweat I did...........and drank a lot of water to keep things going strong. I seriously drank about 1 gallon of water in 4 hours. I keep 2 gallons in a cooler with some ice....Very refreshing on a hot summers day! :props:
 
One of the main reasons that I love detailing as a hobbyist...is that I pick the time/day/weather conditions to enjoy the experience. I can't imagine doing it any other way...plus at 60+, I'm a lot more careful about everything, especially what my body is telling me.

I remember growing up on the family dairy farm...bailing and stacking hay in 90+ degree weather (the hotter the better for haying), and milking cows in a 100+ degree barn with a bunch of angry, thirsty cows waiting to get milked. I recall those memories every time it gets really hot and humid out. We drank water like crazy during those hot summers, and I've never stopped regardless of the weather. The body needs water and lots of it.

Glad you stopped when you did...wow, that's scary stuff.
 
Water water water,no soda makes you more thirsty even though it's a nice break from H2O, growing up in the 70s it's a hard habit to break! Like I say it's my only vice, I don't drink or smoke,be careful with Gatorade also
 
Sometimes I put one of my prized microfiber in the cooler and use it on myself on the hot days!! Rub it all over face chest. It helps, if just a little.
 
May I suggest wearing a camel back water devise. They are not that expensive you can drink when you need to and before dehydration. This is especially good when drink water is not in an accessible area
 
BobbyG said:
It's funny how the body lets you know when its chemistry's off so it's important to remember; hot weather and fluids are vitally important.

The temp here was close to 90 yesterday and the humidity was stifling. I was splitting wood in the hot sun for most of the afternoon and sweat I did...........and drank a lot of water to keep things going strong. I seriously drank about 1 gallon of water in 4 hours. I keep 2 gallons in a cooler with some ice....Very refreshing on a hot summers day! :props:
Click to expand...

The body needs water. It does not have to be cold. Drink it anyway.
 
- I always have a 10 day forecast ahead of me and if the day is too hot, I only do maintenance.
- Sun-screen! Very important.
- As people have suggested hydration. Gatorade is exceptional in keeping electrolytes up.
- Shade; Always try to be in it and customers are always helpful in finding you shade or understand that you are a human.
- Start early in the day(6:00am?). I have a detail on Monday and forecast is a hot day and I simply asked my customer, 'How earliest can I arrive?'.
- Low-cut socks, shorts, Shemagh, hat, cold towels, portable fan(if you have a ladder, get a clip on fan!).. some of the accessories that help. (Try cold towel + fan for instant cooling)
- Dress white, cotton is great for absorption of sweat. It's tempting to wear 'black' since it looks 'cool' but it's certainly not feel cool!
- BCAAs. I always carry this with me. It helps muscles recover while providing hydration.
- Coconut Water: GREAT for hydrating, especially the chunky one which provides tiny bits of carbs too!

Above all, be safe. Your health is VERY important... beyond the scope of business. I don't want any of my fellow detailers getting out of commission since all of you have families to support. I hope this post helped. :)
 
This is one of the reasons I no longer detail along with age and excessive weight. My episode was when mowing the lawn in 100+ temps even though I drank a LOT of water. I had a few UH-OH moments when detailing in my garage but not as severe as this episode. All those combined told me "no more dude". I doubt you're 65 years of age as I am but listen to what your body is telling you.
 
Heat can sneak up on you. It's scary and often overlooked until you meet it head on. My normal job takes place in an unairconditioned shop so or safety guys try to drive it in our head every year.
 
I feel dehydration coming on while detailing even when temps are only in the 80s. I often notice that I havn't urinated all day long even though I have been consuming plenty of fluids. Also remember that consuming salt is crucial during strenuous activity.
 
chuckp said:
I feel dehydration coming on while detailing even when temps are only in the 80s. I often notice that I havn't urinated all day long even though I have been consuming plenty of fluids. Also remember that consuming salt is crucial during strenuous activity.
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When I was still in my teens (I'm 83 now) and working in a hot environment, salt tablet dispensers were readily available. I have not seen one of them in decades. They must be out of favor now. When I was golfing, I would have some of the salt dispensers as used in fast food restaurants in my golf bag and always use one on a round. It seemed to help ward off heat cramps.
 
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