Keeping cool when hot and muggy . . .

[BellsOfRhymney]

Electric fan? ... any other ideas?

[Davidb59]

Sorry - I don't know. I live in England. Here we have to figure out how to stay warm and dry in the summer.

[k3ng]

Shirt off.

Just kidding.

I just have my chilled 100 Plus ready. Or you can chew a couple of hundred mints and then drink some cold water. I dunno. I tend to just ignore the heat and muggyness. Even when I'm completely drenched in sweat.

[OldHippy]

You really have to have air conditioning. I've even had to run it in December just to get the humidity out.

[rockinrider]

I'm guessing you mean when playing the drums....

I carry a rather large (20-24 inch) floor fan with me to gigs.

Similar to this:

[PureRockFury]

Having been in some of the hottest and most humid weather throughout the years here are some pointers. DRINK DRINK DRINK DRINK water and sports drinks (powerade/gatorade) rotating between the two. You need the salt and electrolytes in the sports drinks, but your body also needs the water to keep you cool. Drinking A LOT of those drinks before you go in the heat is key. But always keep some with you...you will need it.

Keep a towel on ice in cooler to put around your neck and shoulders. Also wear a hat and sunglasses. You can even put the hat in cool water if your that hot. There have been times where I've had to do this.

Another thing worth mentioning is where 100% cotton clothing. Polyesters and other synthetic fabrics will only keep the heat trapped to your body.

Don't over do it if you don't have to. i.e., don't play so hard you feel like you are going to pass out. Remember to breathe and relax.

Hope these help. If you aren't drumming these can also be applied to being around the house too.

[beatsMcGee]

umm, just a fan should do.. spend the extra $$ and get a good one.

[jeffwj]

With the show that I am playing now, we are supplied with under armor. It helps a bit to keep you cooler. It also helps to keep my tux shirt nice and dry. Here is a link.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-under-armour-heat-gear-full-t-shirt-mens--pi-525461.html

Jeff

[PreppieNerd]

Also Try DuoFold Shirts. They're quick-drying, and cheaper than UnderArmor because they don't have as big of a name.

Whenever I'm doing physical activity that makes me sweat (Mowing the lawn, Ultimate Frisbee, etc.) I wear a rolled-up bandana around my head. I like them better than sweatbands.

[drumtechdad]

PureRockFury, you make some great points, except: cotton is among the worst fabrics to wear, because it does not wick moisture. All-cotton is a recipe for wet, clammy, clothes that never dry while you're in them.

Pro cyclists used to wear wool, even in the stifling heat, because it wicks moisture away from the skin--the method by which the body cools itself.

Nowadays there are synthetics (such as polypropylene) that are even better than wool at wicking moisture. I used to wear polypropylene kit while riding, for 30-40 miles sweating profusely, yet be nearly dry at the skin on my return.

I presume some of the products recommended below are synthetic--but the right synthetic.

PS: Also, most sports folks will tell you that if you have a normal diet you don't need to be taking in any extra salt in the heat.

[fijjibo]

Sorry - I don't know. I live in England. Here we have to figure out how to stay warm and dry in the summer.

I hear that...........

[rendezvous_drummer]

I know how ye feel. I play in 35+ degree weather, sometimes in Leather Pants...fun times n all, but to keep cool, i'd try to wear a shower cap with ice in it. Look like a goof, but it works. Either that or a fan.

[That Guy]

I'm guessing you mean when playing the drums....

I carry a rather large (20-24 inch) floor fan with me to gigs.

Similar to this:

I live in Florida, one of the most humid and hottest spots on the planet. As long as you drink water and have one of the fans shown... you will be good. But, I suggest having 2 of them. One on the left and one on the right.

[PureRockFury]

PureRockFury, you make some great points, except: cotton is among the worst fabrics to wear, because it does not wick moisture. All-cotton is a recipe for wet, clammy, clothes that never dry while you're in them.

Pro cyclists used to wear wool, even in the stifling heat, because it wicks moisture away from the skin--the method by which the body cools itself.

Nowadays there are synthetics (such as polypropylene) that are even better than wool at wicking moisture. I used to wear polypropylene kit while riding, for 30-40 miles sweating profusely, yet be nearly dry at the skin on my return.

I presume some of the products recommended below are synthetic--but the right synthetic.

PS: Also, most sports folks will tell you that if you have a normal diet you don't need to be taking in any extra salt in the heat.

My bad, I had the fabrics the other way around. However, I have heard many times about runners who have died from too much water intake. Diluting the blood which is merely depleting all the salt in your body will cause you to die. I highly doubt anyone in here is exerting themselves to this degree, except for some drum corps drummers out there.

[Ozzy Biz]

You really have to have air conditioning. I've even had to run it in December just to get the humidity out.

At home in January (summer) it can hit around 49 degrees celcius. That's when the aircon doesn't really work any more. And we have three units; a reverse cycle, an in-ceiling one and another older reverse cycle. And fans. But fans only work if they are positioned correctly

[Skitch]

Towel and lots of ice water (which will keep you hydrated as opposed to any alcoholic beverage which will dehydrate you rapidly).


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
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