Working outdoors in Phoenix (Tucson, Glendale: relocation, job, houses)

[borat s]

I live in New Jersey and work outdoors and honestly when it reaches the 90s with high humidity it is pretty unbearable but I manage obviously. I am thinking of a possible relocation to the Phoenix area and my hours would be 6-2:30. Does anyone here work outdoors in such hours? Is working in 110+ with no humidity better or worse than 95 w/ 90% humidity? Any responses greatly appreciated.

[azgurl]

Even moderately warm temperatures with high humidity seem A LOT hotter than high temperatures with little to no humidity.

I don't live in AZ any longer, but in Tx. We have high humidity even tho the temp doesn't get as hot. The humidity really sucks the life out of you when it gets warm.

And in Phx. if you step out of the sun you cool down quickly. Don't get me wrong, you'll sweat if you work outdoors in AZ, but the high heat/low humidity combination is much easier on your body than the medium heat/high humidity conditions.

Folks in Phx who work outdoors generally get started really early in the A.M. (btw, they don't observe daylight savings time) and finish early in the day before the sun is at its hottest.

Hope this helps. I say, go for it. I would move back to the Valley in a heartbeat if family conditions made it possible.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by borat s

I live in New Jersey and work outdoors and honestly when it reaches the 90s with high humidity it is pretty unbearable but I manage obviously. I am thinking of a possible relocation to the Phoenix area and my hours would be 6-2:30. Does anyone here work outdoors in such hours? Is working in 110+ with no humidity better or worse than 95 w/ 90% humidity? Any responses greatly appreciated.

I spent my summers in college framing houses in Tucson. It is not quite as hot as Phoenix, but 100-105. You get used to it, but you are pretty drained at the end of the day. It is about 10 at night before your face is not all flushed anymore. I've also done construction work in Oklahoma in 95 degree super humidity last summer, though I am older now. I'd take working in the desert heat any day over that.

[Big B]

I work outdoors in Arizona. It is unbearable in July August and September. I usually drink , and im not kidding, 3.5 gallons of water a day in the 110+ temps.

People say "Oh its a dry heat!" They are usually the ones that spend about 5 minutes a day outdoors, running from their office to their car.

What they dont understand is that water is evaporating from your body so fast that if you dont constantly drink water you will perish. The people that die trying to cross the border dont last that long due to dehydration. Only a few hours.

If you move here, Chug lots of water and take a mineral supplement and salt tablets because you lose too much salt sweating.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by Big B

I work outdoors in Arizona. It is unbearable in July August and September. I usually drink , and im not kidding, 3.5 gallons of water a day in the 110+ temps.

People say "Oh its a dry heat!" They are usually the ones that spend about 5 minutes a day outdoors, running from their office to their car.

What they dont understand is that water is evaporating from your body so fast that if you dont constantly drink water you will perish. The people that die trying to cross the border dont last that long due to dehydration. Only a few hours.

If you move here, Chug lots of water and take a mineral supplement and salt tablets because you lose too much salt sweating.

I think this person summed it up absolutely great. Ive spent a few weeks there a couple times in June and it is bearable but after June into July and August, it gets real hot.
He makes a great comment about the mineral supplement. 98% of people would never do this and dont realize how many minerals and electrolytes they are losing. I know youre not asking but here is my recommendation on what to use - Nature's Sunshine
I use this when I play basketball alot and in the summer when I sweat alot. I just throw a teaspoon in my water bottle and shake it up. It has almost all basic minerals and electrolytes and the best part about it, is that it tastes great! I know its kinda expensive though

[BillyBaroo]

I've spent many years working outside on golf courses in Arizona. Big B is correct, you need to drink a lot of water, gallons of water every day. Funny thing is you'll drink that water all day and never have to go pee. Get a wide brimmed hat too. Keep the sun off your face and head. You'll also see a lot of guys wearing long sleeve shirts and pants, not shorts. I never could do that though, I always wear shorts and short sleeve shirts. But I spend a lot of money on good hats.

The big advantage is starting early and adapting to the day as it gets hotter. The summer heat is harder on me if I find myself going in and out of air-conditioned buildings. If you're outside all day, it's not that bad and quitting time comes right about when you've had enough. That's when you head to the pool! I also used to head home for a siesta in the afternoon and then I was ready to go out in the evening.

[rambrush]

We used to get started working before sunup using lights getting things prepped then when there was light we would start painting.
We would be off by noon or 1 at the latest.

[aj661]

It is definitely easier here. During the summer of 1976 I was stationed in Arlington VA. On Sunday day shift, we had to wear the wool dress blue uniform and on those 90+/90+ days I thought I was going to die. I spent 25 years of my law enforcement career working here in the valley. I wore 27 pounds of gear every day, including body armor. You will need to drink a lot of water. Although I was told it wasn't good for me, I drank hot coffee most of the time, even in the summer. I'd switch to ice tea during the monsoon season. I never took salt tabs but there's plenty of salt in my diet to begin with. When I played baseball (pitched), I'd sweat off up to 7 lbs in 9 innings. As long as you drink lots of water and maybe toss in some Gatorade from time to time, you'll be okay.

The long sleeve suggestion is good if you can do it. The hat is almost a must, even if it's just to keep the sweat out of your eyes. Just remember, if you're working outside here in the summer and you STOP sweating, you are in trouble! Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can sneak up on you if you don't stay hydrated. Don't wait until you feel thirsty. Chug down some fluids at least once every thirty minutes or so.

[nitram]

Everyone is correct in keeping hydrated and wearing a hat along with proper clothing. Skin cancer is prevalent here and the wearing of proper clothing (long sleeves, long pants, and a wide brimmed hat) cuts down the chances of getting skin cancer big time.
Gatorade helps also with electrolytes.

[borat s]

i appreciate the responses from all the real people that have actually done work outdoors. My family lives in Glendale and they work indoors and they swear oh its not that hot! Little do they know is that I actually have to work in that heat if I move there.
Anyway my job requires a hard hat and long sleeves and pants so Im covered in that aspect. i guess Im just going to have to jump into in and see if I can handle it. Thanks again.