Defeat the heat on the beat

Keeping your cool on the beat is second nature to most of us but with summer’s sizzling temperatures fast approaching,
even the most composed police officer could start to wilt. Constabulary took a look at the best ways to beat the heat,
making sure you remain cool, calm and collected when out on patrol on foot or in the car, even in the hottest conditions

SUPER COOL CLOTHING
Ensuring you are prepared with the right clothing and equipment is a key factor in avoiding any discomfort on even the hottest day – and the good news is that there is plenty on offer to help make a real difference to your body temperature.

First on the list are feet – one of the key areas for keeping
cool to avoid overheating. While standard boots are great for
most British weather scenarios, the summer months may call for a lighter option. Opt for lightweight, non-Gor-Tex®-lined boots and socks specifically designed to deal with sweat to ensure your feet stay fresh even in soaring climes.

Surprisingly, layering can also help keep you comfortable, with
base layers that can be worn under uniform topping the poll
for helping ward off unwanted body moisture. Specially designed technical fabrics offer the ultimate cooling comfort
and scientific gems that help to keep your core body temperature under control.

Brands such as DriFire offer ultra light, short-sleeve T-shirts
designed to offer maximum moisture and odour management, as well as comfort. They even have the added benefit of being flame-resistant – so there’s definitely no chance of burning up!

Other options include Under Armour HeatGear T-shirts, which fit
like a second skin and harness a unique Moisture Transport System that reduces chafing and clears moisture quickly.

Top picks
Viper Coolmax Socks £6.95
• Incorporating DuPont® Coolmax fabric to offer extra comfort
and reduce shrinking, odours and mildew, plus a reinforced
heel and toe area.

DriFire Silk Weight Short-sleeve T-shirt £29.99
• DriFire garments feature Microban and FreshGuard technologies to minimise bacteria build-up – reducing odour and
suppressing skin irritation and rashes. The material used also
dries four times quicker than cotton and reduces sweat pooling.
The T-shirt is particularly tailored to be worn under uniform or body armour.

Under Amour HeatGear Ventilated Compression Short £15.99
• Offering unequalled comfort thanks to a ventilated mesh
design and using a unique Moisture Transport System, which
reduces chafing and effectively wicks moisture away.

All items available at www.patrolstore.com
Essential Accessories
The rest of the year may call for rain-resistant gear at all times
but summer accessories can prove just as necessary.

Having access to enough water is one of the most important
factors during rising temperatures and by carrying a water bottle you will be sure you are drinking enough fluid to avoid dehydration.

If you are out and about, it is worth taking along a bottle to
clip onto your belt. Try Protec for high- quality aluminium bottles, which come with an easy pull and twist-release cap and a holder for hydration on the go (available at www.patrolstore.com).

Also a key consideration for anyone working outside in the summer is skin protection. Ensure you wear sunscreen,
choosing one that blocks both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation for the very best protection. Apply 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours. Protect your eyes with sunglasses if possible.

Top tips
• Aim to drink around 2.5 litres of water a day – increasing the
amount depending on your daily activity and in hotter weather.
• For a quick cool off, run cool water over the insides of your
wrists and dab a little on the back of your neck.
• If you spend a lot of time in the car, avoid leaving bottles of
water in the sun and refresh your supply regularly.

Did you know?
The heatwave in 2003 brought one of the hottest summers
on record in Europe. Several weather records were broken in
the United Kingdom, including the UK’s highest recorded temperature – 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) at Brogdale Orchards near Faversham in Kent on 10 August.

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