What Is WBGT eee Poe ere ae What Is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)? Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). Say thatthree times fast! Ie lifcult to say and in'teasy to calculate, but monitoring wetbulb globe temperature ie a stress-free way to protector athletes, employees, and overall operations from extreme heat ‘Wt bulb globe temperature (WAT) ia popular opie for schools, employers, and sports leagues around the world Schools, athletic programs, and manual labor organizations look at wet bulb globe temperature as a comprehensive measure ofall the \weather-selate factors that impact bodies (and performance) so, hats the wetbul globe temperature and how can you use i? Is time to become a WGT expert so you can see why tis the best way to measure heat stress for your organization and how you can go about doing that, Backto Top + What is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)? According tothe National Weather Service, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT| is apparent measurementused to estimate the ‘most accurate level of heat stress in direct sunlight. It's quicker to refer to itas WBGT but they mean the same thing, What about WBGT vs. temperature or WET vs. Heat Index? Wel temperatures just the reading on the thermometer, So's the most basic reading for heat, Heat index considers two factors Temperature and humidity So, heat index litle more comprehensive but till mises lt. Cn the other hand, WGT takes ive fctorsinto account, These include Temperature Humidity Vv Wind speed v Sun angle ¥ Cloud cover (solar radiation) Thishelps produce the most accurate temperature readings With WAGT, groups like military agencies, industrial hygienists, and orogtams can manage thet workloads effectively and optimize performance a high temperatire environment Backto Top + How is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Calculated? Ase mentioned before, WAGT takes several environmental factors into account, Because ofthis, theresa mathematica ec ‘that includes athe pertinent factors when calculating WEGT. The equation i: WBGT=0.7 Tw +02 Tg 0. Td [ WBGT = 0.77,,+ 0.27, + 0.174 ] Lets breakit down, Tr The first variable is Tw, or the natural wet bulb temperature, which indicates humidity TG ‘Next is Tg, or the globe thermometer temperature, which indicates radiant heat Ty Finally Taisthe dry bulb temperature, which indicates ambient air temperature That's ts important to note that there isa diferent equation for calculating WBGT indoors or when solar acation is negligible. ‘You probably wont need that equation. you're wondering what tha equations our ends atthe Korey Stringer institute haveit con their webs What About Wet Bulb Temperature? ‘hile wet bub lobe temperatures alulation that helps us discover hw het affects the human body, theres ferent measurement called wet bulb temperature, What the wet bulb temperature? ‘Wet bub temperatures ameasurement taken bya thermometer that has bulb covered by water soaked cloth, When ac passes ove the lath to evaporate the water, the evapeatve cooling shows the wet bulb temperature on the thermometer fut why do we care about ths measurement? We often us this temperature to find the dew pint andor humidity as we compar it you're Steric Maps user, you can access hyperocal wet bulb globe temperatures and the WBGT 10 minute average. You can check cuthow touse these layersin the vdeo below DSC Rosa Backto Top + WBGT History ‘When did temperature and heat index stop being enough? Some ofthe cartes users of WOGT were the LS, Marines nd US, Amy, These branches ofthe military used WBGT to help dil sergeants and officers know how hard they could push recruit during outdoor activites while avoiding heat illness. They reated activity level este ratios based on WAGT to maximize training results, color let ofcers know the WAGT status, White and Black are Category 5 They developed a flag system for raining areas. The fl ae Category 2, Yellow are Category 3, Red are Category 4 Category WBGT(F) Flag Color 1 < 78-819 White re Category 1, Green (ver the yeas other groups began using WBGT and created ther own guidlines. Some ofthe mast popular relerence groups taday include + The American College of Spars Medicine /ACSM Guidelines + “Georia State High chon Guidelines lotic Tainers Assocation IWATA] Guidelines Nort Carolina State High School Guidelines ‘Vermont State High School Guidelines ew Jersey High Schoo Guidelines [ed 507 (Miltary) Guidelines ‘american Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Guidelines (industrial) sil Health (Southeast sia) Guidelines init theEnviconment Japan) Guidelines Heat Acclimatization Each category includes water intake guides for both heat acclimated and unaccimated individuals. ‘What seat acclimatization ets evew for those of you who ae nt familiar or just needa relresher Heatacclimatizations the process of adjusting one's body to hightemperature conditions Thisproces tional athletes and laborers. property done, hest acclimatization can lower yourheart rate reduce body and sin temperature respanses, and increase sweat production and blood fw. ss lowers the possiblity of het ines oro at stroke (EHS). This improves overall outdoor performance in For athletics, begin heat accimatization early inthe season by slowly and steal itroducing heat tess tothe body. Thiscan mean lengthening workouts and exposure atl each day adjusting your heart rate under stress, wearing limited gear and more, Other steps toward acclimatization in athletics include: ‘Do not practice longer than 3 hours per day No consecutive double practices Increase workout intensity gradually over afew days 7 Increase sodium intake as sweat increases ¥ Hydrate regularly throughout games and practices o Take frequent rests to avoid overheating, You can earn mare about heat acclimatization and how to keep peopl safe rom Dr. Doug Casa andthe experts atthe Korey Stringer lostituts (KSI). The leading expets on WAG, KSI sat down with us fora hour-long webinar about heat stress management We recorded the webinar so everyone could have a chance to watch ti lick the tnk below to become a WOGT expert Expert Heat Stress eae Peo Backto Top + What is the Purpose of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature? % Wet bulb globe temperature may ust seem ke anather way to ead the thermometer ar an annoying stipulation to keep you from conditioning student athletes. However, the eal purpose fusing the wet bulb globe temperatureisto make your team healthier and better prepared to performin high heat tuations ‘The real purpose of using wet bulb globe temperature as ahent messurement i to keep people safe while performing strenuous ‘outdoor activites at high temperature. Its the most comprehensive an therefore most reliable measure of how hard or easy tis for athletes to perform inthe specie ‘outdoor environment ‘tletic Directors, Athletic Trainers, Coaches, Recreation Managers and payers themselves use wet bub lobe temperature to help ith heat aclimatzation during warmer months to prevent heat-elated illnesses and injuries by adjusting sccordingy Backto Top + Suggested Actions and Impact Prevention ‘how are the WBGT guidelines broken down? Accordngt the National Weather Service (NWS), There are four main categories ‘of WBGT. Each category comes with sown effects and suggested actions for autdoor activity These categories don't start until the ‘Wc hits 0 degrees Remember, when we referto temperature here, weare refering to WBGT. WET BULB GLOBE TEMPERATURES Wien t's 80-65 degrees F (in WBGT), working or exercisingin direct sunlight wll stress an individuals body ater 45 minutes. To prevent heat illness and lessen the oveal impact af heat stress, plan 15 minutes of breaks foreach hout youe out in det suight ‘When i's 85-68 degrees F (in WBGT) your body wil stress rom working or exerisingin dec sunlight afer just 30 minutes, Since {your body streses quicker, you'll need longer Breaks the WOGT isin this category make sure you take at east 30-minute breaks, When i's 88:90 degrees F your body wil stress from just 20 minutes of workingin dec sunlight. Take atleast 40 minutes of breaks For coaches this may seem alitiexreme, but you can use the shaded break ies to gover strategy and other ctl concep Ifthe WaGT sso degrees For above working or exerisingin dec sunlight will stress your body in just 15 minutes. That means breaks increase to 48 minutes for each hour workingin direct sunlight, Yau may benefit fram moving practice indoor: a this pont. Make sure you hep a close eye on both acclimated andl unacclimated athletes, Breaks Take all breaks inthe shade. theres no natural shade in the are surrounding your strenuous outdoor acti, improvise wth pop up tents, shade ha a tremendous effect on lowering the eat stress levels, That's because it's often 10-15 degrees cooler inthe Shade. Even 10 degrees will make a huge iferenceto someone onthe verge oat illness. Hydrat ake sure those exerting themselves in high temperature ensronments ate drinking plenty of water, Bodies need water tohelpkeep them cool Remind athletes to drink water even when they arent thirsty. Aso advise them to crease water intake with increased time outdoors. Sport drinks with sodium and electrolytes are also key in eplacingmutents we sweat out. Athletes and outdoor workers alike should always take in more water than they are losingor dehydration s unavoidable. Sunscreen (One last suggested action when using WAGT guidelines isto reduce sun exposure. You can de ths with sunscreen, proper clthing, and hats (when possible) The best way to reduce sun exposure in athletes by planing outdoor activites in the early momingor evening Bove 10am. and after 4pm. ate the best times far educed sunlight exposure lhletes should also wea a waterprootsweat proof sunscreen. This sunscreen should have SPF of at east 3. should also have broad spectrum protection (against beth UWA and UVB as) ‘We've found that stick formula suncreens are good for faces because the sunscreen stays ut of your ees even i yousweat Athletes should apply sunscreen atleast 20 minutes before they head cut ito the sun. Ensure they reapply every two hours rater ‘excessively sweating Backto Top + Monitoring WBGT Toputthe suggested actions and impact prevention plansint effect, you must measur WEGT at your facility. Thereare afew rmonitring and alerting methods, devices, and services yeu canuse to protec athletes at you fait StS WBGT Manually Calculating WBGT \fyoudon'thavea physical WAGT device or an alerting service from a trusted realtime weather data provide, youcan use chart {ike the one provided below to estimate wet bulb globe temperature using a combination ofthe current temperature and relative humidity As this just an estimate, we do nat recommend this 8 foolproof WAGT monitoring method. Handheld Monitoring Devices That brings us to ather methods of monitoring WEG. To eta more accurate reading ofthis ife-savng temperature measurement, you ean usea handheld mentoring device. There are plenty of diferent models onthe matket today for you to choose rom However, is important to note that these devices an uctuae in accuracy and may require calibration and maintenance. In sedition, the measurement stays with ane person rather than being available toa team. Anather drawback t relyingon handhela \WHGT devices is himan ertor, which s quite common, On-Site Weather Station The final way to monitor WAGT at your faciitys rom alypedoc weather tation network that measures and forecasts (ur eather tations messufe WEGT asa current condition from a station level. This canltion can then be monitored in our Sere Maps weather map or Sferic Mobile application, Earth Networks professional rade weather stations als provide wet bulb globe temperature forecasting and 10-minute WBGT average. This ensures that weather station lacations know: + The curtent wet bulb globe temperature + The forecast wet bulb globe temperature + Hsosical wet bulb globe temperatures ‘You can trust professional weather networks because they calibrate weather data to ensue its actualy correct. Automated WBGT category alerts vatext or email ensureeveryone fin the know a quickly as possible and prepared to activate thee impact Backto Top + WBGT: The Bottom Line Sowhat dos allthis mean? \WOGTis the amber one way to keep student-athletes or anyone exerting themselves outdoors) sae from heatillnes. That means ies beter than just monitering the temperature or heat ndex. ¥ Wet bulb globe provides an accurate measurement of environmental heat stress Vf Wsbeen around for over 60 years «You can use WBGT as a preventative measure to reduce heat illnesses by modifying work/est ratios «WET modifications vary for acclimated and unacclimated individuals «V/ WAGT is a more comprehensive heat stress measure than temperature or Heat Index \¥ Automatic WEGT warnings based on real-time readings are the easiest and quickest form of monitoring, and alerting method ‘When wet bub globe temperature goes up against temperature or heat inde, it alays wins asthe best too ta help you and your athleteshave asuccessuland safe season Now What? Now hatyoutea regular we bulb lobe tempertre expert's time to think about how youright be blouse this measurement you're coach, athletic director, or athletic trainer you can provide safer heat stress guidelines, faster heatillness response, and increase the wellness fll your student athletes, I'stime to star thinking about monitoring and alerting on WBGT at your school Clik the button below toleam how to get real-time alerts for WET and other severe weather threats at your school eae Osta eur es : Deen eon