E138: Heat Safety with Lexi Engelbart — Hydration, TACO Method, and Cooling PPE

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I am joined by Lexi Engelbart, Product Development Manager at Ergodyne, specializing in heat stress prevention and PPE innovation.

In this episode, we dive into heat safety, exploring why heat is the #1 weather-related killer, common warning signs of heat illness, and the critical “30-minute window” to act. Lexi shares practical prevention tips, the importance of hydration, OSHA’s “water, rest, shade” guideline, and innovative PPE solutions—from UPF clothing and cooling gear to the TACO method for emergencies.

Whether you’re working in construction, coaching on the sidelines, or just braving Tampa Bay’s summer, you’ll learn life-saving strategies to stay cool, safe, and healthy.
00:28 – Introduction & guest welcome
01:47 – What Ergodyne does and Lexi’s role in safety innovation
02:17 – Why heat safety awareness matters
05:16 – Hydration & cooling strategies for athletes and workers
08:08 – Warning signs of heat-related illness
11:43 – Emergency response & the TACO cooling method
13:31 – The mission of Project Heat & culture change
16:32 – PPE solutions: sun protection, fabrics, and cooling vests
20:58 – Phase-change cooling explained
21:28 – Simple prevention tips for everyday life
23:33 – Electrolytes, cramps, and hydration packets
26:29 – Where to find Ergodyne products & closing thoughts

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