Tips to Stay Healthy

Getting sick is one of the top reasons trainees and Air Force members miss training and work — and you're more likely to catch something at BMT than anywhere else you've lived. The combination of a crowded environment, real stress, and people arriving from every part of the country (each carrying different bacteria and viruses) makes the dorm a perfect incubator. The same is true on a deployment.

The good news: a few simple habits stop most of it.

Hand washing — your single biggest weapon

Wash your hands with soap and warm running water at least 5–6 times a day, scrubbing for 15–20 seconds (about the length of one chorus of the Air Force song). Get under your fingernails and clean up to your wrists.

When to wash:

• Before every meal
• After using the latrine
• After handling garbage
• As often as possible if you're sick, so you don't pass it to your flightmates

If you can't get to a sink, use antibacterial cleanser or hand wipes — but soap and water is always better when it's available.

When you're coughing or sneezing

Wash your hands plus:

• Use a tissue every time and throw it away immediately.
• If you don't have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or upper uniform sleeve — never your hands. Then wash your hands ASAP.
• Use hand sanitizer right after.
• Encourage flightmates to cover their mouths and noses too, even when you're standing in formation.

Daily hygiene basics

• Brush teeth and shower daily. Bacteria and viruses build up in your mouth and on your skin, so this isn't cosmetic — it's preventive.
• Never use water from the toilet to wash your hands or brush your teeth (this water carries billions of harmful bacteria). You can, however, brush your teeth in the shower.
• Wear clean underwear and socks every day. Don't wear the same uniform more than two days in a row.
• Don't eat or drink after anyone — including from their water bottle.
• Eat healthy food, drink plenty of fluids, and get enough sleep.

If you get sick

Tell your MTI you're ill and go to sick call. Don't try to push through and infect everyone around you.

Don't restrict the use of sinks, latrines, or showers

It might feel like cutting these to save time will help your flight during inspections — it won't. Restricting them just means more people get sick because they can't clean up properly, and the bacteria they're carrying spreads through a small space. Wet sinks are allowed during inspections when they're being used to wash hands. Use the facilities you need.

Hygiene over your career

Practicing this stuff matters far beyond BMT. While deployed and throughout your Air Force career, good hygiene keeps you fit to fight, healthier overall, and more successful at your home station job.

Tips to Stay Healthy in the Heat

San Antonio is hot, especially in summer, and you'll be physical for much of every day. Heat illness is a real risk — pay attention to it.

Do

• Hydrate with half a bottle of water in the morning before physical training.
• Hydrate at meals as directed.
• Drink at least 3/4 to 1 bottle of water per hour when working in hot conditions. Each water bottle is 1 quart.
• Never exceed 2 bottles per hour or 16 bottles per day — too much water can cause water intoxication (hyponatremia).
• Get as much rest as possible.
• Avoid overexposure to the sun during hot summer months.
• Keep your head covered when exposed to the sun.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Take medications as prescribed by a medical provider.

Don't

• Overexpose yourself to the sun.
• Over-exercise in hot weather.

Take extra precautions if you

• Come from a colder climate
• Have an illness or were recently ill
• Have recently had a fever
• Have ever had a heat illness
• Are out of shape
• Are taking any medication, prescription or otherwise

Warning signs of heat illness or water intoxication

If you spot these in yourself or a wingman, especially more than one at once, inform your MTI immediately.

Early signs and symptoms

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Faintness
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Heavy sweating
• Cool, gray skin

Later signs and symptoms

• Loss of consciousness
• Hot body, high temperature
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Red face and skin
• Rapid pulse