GENERAL: There is no reason to fear the desert environment, and it should not adversely affect your morale if you are prepared for it, provided you take certain precautions to protect yourself and your equipment. It should be remembered that there is nothing unique about either living or fighting in the desert; native tribesmen have lived in the Sahara for thousands of years. The British maintained a field army and won a campaign in the Western Desert in World War II at the far end of a 12,000-mile sea line of communications with equipment considerably inferior to that of today. The desert is essentially neutral, affecting both sides equally; the side that has better trained personnel for desert operations has a distinct advantage. ACCLIMATION: Acclimation to heat is necessary to permit your bcdy to reach and maintain efficiency in its cooling process. A period of 2 weeks should be allowed for acclimation, with progressive degrees of heat exposure and physical exertion. Although this strengthens your heat resistance, there is no such thing as total protection against the debilitating effects of heat. SUN, WIND, AND SAND RADIANT LIGHT: The sun's rays, either direct or bounced off the ground, affect your skin and can also produce eyestrain and temporarily impaired vision. Overexposure will cause sunburn. People with fair, freckled skin, ruddy complexion, or red hair are more susceptible to sunburn than others, but all are susceptible to some degree. You should acquire a suntan in gradual degrees, in the early morning or late afternoon to gain some protection against sunburn. You should not expose the bare skin to the sun for longer than 5 minutes on the first day, and 5 minutes longer on each day thereafter. In all operational conditions you should be fully clothed in loose garments. This will also reduce sweat loss. It is important to remember that: The sun is as dangerous on cloudy days as it is on sunny days. Sunburn ointment is not designed to give complete protection against excessive exposure. Excessive sunbathing or dozing in the desert sun can be FATAL. WOOD SHRINKS IN THE DESERT...MAKE SURE AXHEADS ARE SECURE BEFORE USING! WIND: The combination of wind and dust or sand can cause extreme irritation to the mucous membranes, chapping the lips and other exposed skin surfaces. Irritative conjunctivitis (irritation of the eyes), caused by fine particles entering the eyes, is a frequent complaint of vehicle crews even when wearing goggles. Chapsticks and skins and eye ointments must be used by all personnel. CLIMATIC STRESS: Climatic stress on the human body in hot desert can be caused by any combination of air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiant heat. Your body is also adversely affected by such factors as lack of acclimation, being overweignt, dehydration, alcoholic excess, lack of sleep, old age, and poor health. Your body maintains its ideal temperature of 98.6 degrees F by conduction/convection, radiation, and evaporation (sweat). The most important of these in daytime desert is evaporation, since air temperature alone is probably above skin temperature already. If, however, relative humidity is high, air will not easily evaporate sweat, and the cooling effect is reduced. SANDSTORMS: Fast, wind-blown sand can be extremely painful on bare skin, so this is one reason why you must always be fully clothed. When visibility is reduced by sandstorms to the extent that military operations are impossible, you should not leave your group unless secured by lines for recovery. You must carry pieces of cloth or bandannas to help cover the face and neck during sandstorms. Windblown sand causes you to turn your head while driving and you'll be off course. Keep this in mind because you must compensate by buttoning up, taking constant compass readings, or using geographic reference points. WATER, DEHYDRATION, AND SALT WATER: Approximately 75 percent of the human body is fluid. A loss of fluid of two quarts (2.5 percent of body weight) decreases efficiency by 25 percent and a loss of fluid equal to 15 percent of body weight is usually fatal. FILTERS OF ALL KINDS NEED TO BE CHECKED-OFTENI POTABLE (DRINKABLE) WATER IS THE MOST BASIC NEED IN THE DESERT It is vital to ensure that there is no possibility of nonpotable (bad) water being mistaken for drinking water. Water that is not fit to drink, but not otherwise dangerous (it may have too much salt), may be used to aid cooling. It can be used to wet clothing so that the body does not use so much of its internal supply. Issued water containers must be carried only for drinking water. Sufficient water must be carried on a vehicle to last you until the next planned resupply, plus a small reserve. In desert terrain, approximately 9 quarts-of water per man per day is needed. When active, leaders need to force drinking of 2 quarts of water per hour. It is a good idea to erect shade for water trailers--it lets the water stay much cooler. You must train not to waste water. Water that has been used for washing socks, for example, is perfectly good for a vehicle cooling system. Drinking water must be taken only from approved sources to avoid disease or water that may have been polluted. Care must be taken to guard against polluting water sources. If rationing is in effect, water should be issued under close supervision of officers, noncommissioned officers, and designated leaders. You cannot be trained to adjust permanently to a reduced water intake. An acclimated soldier will need as much, if not more, water because he sweats more readily. If the ration is not sufficient, there is no alternative but to reduce physical activity or to restrict it to the cooler parts of the day. In very hot conditions, it is better to take smaller amounts of water more often than to take large amounts occasionally. Drinking large amounts causes waste by excessive sweating and might cause heat cramps. As activity increases, you should drink more water. The best drinking water temperature is between 50 degrees and 60 degrees F. Lister bags or even wet cloths around metal containers helps to cool water. Alcohol and smoking cause dehydration and should be avoided. SUNBUBN CAN BE A KILLER IN THE DESERT! WATER CONTAINERS: The best containers for small quantities of water (5 gallons) is plastic water cans. Water in plastic cans will be good up to 72 hours, compared to metal which will only be good for 24 hours. However, you should change the water in your canteen at least every 24 hours. Water in water trailers, if kept in the shade, will last up to 5 days. If the temperature outside exceeds 100 degrees F, the temperature of your water must be monitored, and when it exceeds 92 degrees F, it should be changed, as bacteria will multiply. If not changed, you will end up with a case of diarrhea. Ice in containers will keep water cool. If ice is put in water trailers, the ice in it must be removed before the trailer is moved as the floating ice in it will destroy the inner protection of the trailer. LEADERS, check out your soldiers' water and make sure it is cool and still drinkable! DEHYDRATION: During high desert temperatures, a resting man may lose as much as a pint of water per hour by sweating. In very high temperatures and low humidity, sweating may not be noticeable because it evaporates so fast that the skin will appear dry. Whenever possible, leave sweat on the skin to improve the cooling process. The only way to do this is to avoid direct sunlight on the skin. This is the most important reason why you must remain fully clothed. Thirst is not an adequate warning of dehydration because the sensation may not be felt until there is a body deficient of 1 to 2 quarts of water. Very dark urine is often a warning of dehydration. You do not always drink the amount you need and may need to be encouraged to drink more especially during acclimation. NCOs and OFFICERS, be aware that you must keep track of how much your troops drink to ensure they drink enough water. Packets of artificial fruit flavoring will encourage consumption due to pleasant taste. SALT: Salt in correct proportions is vital to your body; the more you sweat, the more salt you lose. Each MRE has enough salt for a soldier drinking up to 4 quarts per day. Unacclimated soldiers need more salt during their first few days, and all soldiers need additional salt when sweating heavily. As you sweat more, extra salt must be taken under medical direction. Too much salt may cause thirst, a feeling of sickness, and can be dangerous. To avoid this, follow these general rules: You should take extra salt only in proportion to the water you drink. The amount you take, in any form, must be strictly controlled according to medical advice. DON'T DRINK UNTESTED WATER! Salt tablets should only be used by dissolving two tablets per 1-quart canteen. DESERT SICKNESS PERSONAL HYGIENE: Proper standards of personal hygiene must be maintained not only as a deterrent to disease, but as a reinforcement to discipline and morale. Daily shaving and bathing are required if water is available. Cleaning the areas of your body that sweat heavily is especially important; underwear should be changed frequently and foot powder used often. If sufficient water is not on hand, you may clean yourself with sponge baths, solution impregnated pads, a damp rag or even a dry, clean cloth. HEALTH: You should be checked for signs of injury, no matter how slight, as the dust of the desert and insects can cause infection of minor cuts and scratches. Small quantities of disinfectant in washing water can reduce the chance of infection. Minor sickness in the desert can have serious consequences. Prickly heat and diarrhea can upset part of the sweating mechanism and increase water loss, making you more susceptible to heat illnesses. The buddy system can help ensure that prompt attention is given to these problems before they incapacitate individuals. SANITATION: Intestinal diseases can easily increase in the desert. Proper mess sanitation is essential. Garbage is not to be buried within 100 feet of any source of water used for cooking or drinking. Burial area should be at least 30 yards away from the kitchen. Garbage pits 4 x 4 x 4 feet are suitable for 1 day for a unit of 100 men, and must not be filled more than 1 foot from the top. Trench-type latrines should be used if the soil is suitable, but must be dug several feet deep, because shallow ones become exposed in areas of shifting sand. They must be located at least 100 yards from unit messes and 100 yards from water sources. Latrines that are filled to within 1 foot of the surface must be closed. Excess dirt must form a mound 1 foot high, and the ground surface, 2 feet on either side, must be sprayed with an approved pesticide. The location must then marked with a sign "Closed Latrine" and dated. DISEASES: Diseases found in the desert include plague, typhus, malaria, dengue fever, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid. Some of these can be prevented by vaccines or prophylactic measures. Typhoid and cholera can be prevented by vaccines. Typhus and plague are transmitted by fleas and lice carried by rats and other animals. Proper sanitation and personal cleanliness can help prevent these two diseases. Dysentery can be caused by drinking impure water and contaminated foods--all water to be used for drinking, cooking and bathing must be tested before use. Drink bottled water if available. RESPIRATORY AND COLD WEATHER INJURIES: Some soldiers tend to stay in thin clothing until too late in the day and become susceptible to chills, so respiratory infections may become common. You should gradually add layers of clothing at night, such as sweaters, and gradually remove them in the morning. Where danger of cold weather injury exists in the desert, you must guard against inexperienced troops discarding cold weather clothes during the heat of the day. HEAT ILLNESS: The temperature of your body is regulated within narrow limits: too little salt may lead to heat cramps, too little salt and insufficient water may lead to heat exhaustion. A general collapse of the body's cooling mechanism will lead to heat stroke, which is potentially fatal. To avoid these illnesses, you must be physically fit, thoroughly acclimated, and drink sufficient water with necessary salt. If you expend more calories than you take in, you will be more prone to heat illnesses. Since you may lose the desire for food in hot climates, you must remember to eat, with the heavier meal of the day scheduled for the cooler hours. Continued supervision by leaders and the use of the buddy system are important, especially for those personnel, such as mechanics, who work alone or in pairs. It is necessary to recognize heat stress symptoms quickly. When suffering from heat stroke, the most dangerous, there is a tendency for you to creep away from your buddies and attempt to hide in a shady and secluded spot; if not found and treated, you will die. When shade is required during the day, it can best be provided by tarpaulines or camouflage nets, preferably doubled to allow air circulation between layers and dampened with any surplus water. INFECTIONS FROM POLLUTED WATER: Skin diseases can be caused by polluted water. Untested water should not even be used for washing clothes, although it can be used for vehicle cooling systems or vehicle decontamination. CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES: Standard lightweight clothing is suitable for desert operations, but should be a camouflage color, not fatigue green. Nonstarched, long-sleeve shirts and fulllength trousers are worn, with pants tucked into combat boots. Special clothing may be required by tankers since they live in an environment of oils and greases with high risk of burns; this clothing must have an ability to "breathe." Jungle boots should not be worn because sand will sift into them. A piece of cloth should be worn loosely around the neck. It is used to protect the face during sandstorms, as a sweat rag, and to protect much of the face and neck against sun and sand. Each of you should have the following equipment: Sweater, field jacket, a woolen scarf for cold and night use, and a cotton one for day use. Sleeping bag. Chapstick (or vaseline), antisunburn ointment, salt tablets, foot powder, and insect repellent. Eye lotion or drops are also useful. Sunglasses and case (to prevent scratching when not in use). Bottled water A lensatic compass, if available. Web belt with two quart canteens attached. Goggles. Combat boots will wear out quickly in desert terrain, especially if it is rocky. The leather will dry out and crack, unless a nongreasy mixture, such as saddle-soap, is used. Although difficult to do, clothing must be kept relatively clean by washing in any surplus water that is available. When water is not available, airing and sunning clothes will help to kill bacteria. Vehicle exteriors and tools can get extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight even for short periods of time. Crew members and maintenance personnel must wear gloves to prevent first and second degree burns. DON'T LET SAND MIX WITH OlL LIKE A GRINDNG WHEEL, IT CAN WEAR METAL! Back to Table of Contents -- Winning in the Desert Back to CALL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by Coalition Web. Inc. 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