No matter how experienced you are with your shooting sport or spending time outdoors, the heat can be a real danger for those who spend time outside. For those of us who spend eight to 12 hours a day outside, summer temperatures can pose a serious risk. If you’re going to be at an event where the forecast is for heat, here’s a few things to build into your day.
Safety First
Making sure that you are safe and aren’t putting your health at risk is your first goal. If you are by yourself, keep yourself honest with breaks from the heat and stay on top of hydration.
If you’re on the range with someone who is at risk for complications from heat exposure (children, pregnant women or elderly), make sure they are monitored carefully. This at-risk group could also include someone on medication who might not realize how the heat impacts their hydration or electrolyte balance.
Rest
If I know I’ll be on the range in extreme heat, I start planning a few days ahead by resting and hydrating. I take electrolytes for several days beforehand. I also eat plenty, because in the heat I won’t feel hungry and I’ll eat less —so I aim for a calorie surplus as I start a match in the heat.
During the event, take plenty of breaks, air conditioning breaks, time in the shade, in front of a fan—anything you can do to bring your body temperature down. This might mean a minute in the AC as I drive to the next stage or a 15-minute break in the shade waiting for a squad in front of us to finish.
A good time to hydrate is when you take a rest. A good policy is to drink a bottle of water every stage at a match or every hour at an event. If you’re not processing water (visiting the restroom), it’s a sign of dehydration. Use caution with too much water as well—electrolytes are a must in extreme heat. It’s easy to get too much water and not enough electrolytes, and that can be dangerous. I add my favorite electrolyte mix to a bottle at least three times a day when I’m out in the heat (early morning, mid-morning and early afternoon). Electrolyte packets are easy to keep on hand and something I never go to an event without.
Ice
It’s a good plan to have ice in your cooler on a hot day. You can add it to your water or drinks, put it in a bucket of water with a portable misting fan to cool yourself. Popsicles and other frozen treats are also a great pick-me-up on a hot range day.
Neck-cooling towels and getting your hat, headband, etc. wet with ice water will also help to keep you cool. A bottle of water poured on your arms and neck, maybe even your legs and feet, can do wonders for your spirits and cool you down.
While you might add ice to drinks to help lower your core temperature, one iced drink should be avoided: coffee. Caffeine can cause your heart rate to rise, and if you’re already out in the heat and your body is stressed, the excess sugar and caffeine are not your friends. Magnesium, potassium and sodium are the things you need.
Coconut water is a great hydration choice, and loaded with electrolytes. If you can find coconut water with watermelon juice (which also contains potassium), it’s delicious. Frozen fruit is another great snack to pack for the range: grapes and blueberries being two easy ones.
The ice in your cooler can also keep your lunch cold. Don’t rely on range food or fast food in the heat. Keep your food light and easy to digest. Something like a wrap with chicken and veggies or a small serving of fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes and jerky are two of my favorite lunches on a hot day.
Elevate the Mood
While you can’t just elevate your feet and relax in the shade if you’re at a match or event, you can elevate the mood. Get some electrolyte freezer pops, pack a pop-up canopy for shade, take a midday break for a meal in the AC or send someone for ice cream. Whatever you do on the range, be understanding and patient and keep yourself hydrated and fueled.
Pack a simple neck fan that sits around your neck. Not only will it feel great when it’s “swampy” outside, it can keep your glasses from fogging and are helpful for bugs, especially summer gnats.
And lastly, don’t forget that your guns get hot too! It’s good to have shade to cover them, and plenty of time between strings of fire to allow them to cool down. A fan can make this go faster. Make a point to allow for cooling down or rotating which firearm you use, especially if you’re using a suppressor or something with a shorter barrel where you might come in contact with the muzzle end of the firearm.
Even on extremely hot days, you can make a go of the situation. Just have the right mindset and enough electrolytes and you can still come away with a good experience.
