Advancing the
Science of Safe
Hydration

Providing credible, scientifically-based evidence
and education that supports awareness of proper hydration practices related to heat safety
in occupational and recreational settings.
OUR MISSION

About Pocari Sweat Science Advisory Board

The Pocari Sweat Science Advisory Board (SAB) is dedicated to advancing public health through its three foundational pillars: Science, Education, and Innovation. Its mission is to promote accurate, science-based information about hydration and fluid balance, and to support consumer understanding of proper fluid replenishment practices. Comprised of top U.S. medical experts, physiologists, and occupational health specialists, the SAB supports awareness of proper hydration practices related to heat safety across both occupational and recreational settings. Whether protecting outdoor workers, educating caregivers, or supporting active lifestyle consumers, the board bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and practical, everyday hydration solutions. Pocari Sweat compensates SAB members for their time and expertise in reviewing general hydration education content. Their involvement does not mean they endorse or recommend specific products.
Anticipation / Prevention
Recognition
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
Anticipation /
Prevention
Indicator
High workplace temperatures, intense or prolonged work, age, poor sleep, dehydration, high blood pressure, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Action
Recognition
Indicator
Feeling overheated, unusual fatigue, chills, dull headache, cramps, dizziness, loss of coordination, severe thirst, confusion.
Action
Heat Exhaustion
Indicator
Fatigue and unsteadiness, nausea, collapse.
Action
Rest in a cool, shaded area. Hydrate with cold beverages. Remove excess clothing. Apply cold water to the skin. Call EMS if no improvement within 15 minutes.
Heat Stroke
Indicator
Confusion, agitation, combative behavior, impaired motor control, incoherent speech, possible collapse or convulsions.
Action
Alert EMS immediately and begin cooling. Cold-water immersion (CWI) is preferred; if unavailable, use ice, cold water, towels, fans, or transfer the person to an air-conditioned space and continue cooling. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Educational information only. For medical concerns or severe symptoms, seek professional medical care.

Our board members

Science Advisory Board Members Science Advisory Board
Members

Member Role: Paid scientific advisor | Member Scope: Reviews educational content; does not endorse products

Bob Murray, PhD, FACSM Bob Murray, PhD,
FACSM

Exercise Science & Sports NutritionExercise Science & SportsNutrition Co-Chair of Pocari Sweat Science Advisory Board,
Managing Principal, Sports Science Insights, LLCCo-Chair of Pocari Sweat
Science Advisory Board,
Managing Principal,
Sports Science Insights,
LLC
Co-founder and director of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (1985–2008). Expert in athlete hydration, electrolytes, and performance. Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and author of three books including Sports Drinks: Science and Practice. Co-founder and director of the
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
(1985–2008). Expert in athlete
hydration, electrolytes, and
performance. Fellow of the
American College of Sports
Medicine and author of three
books including Sports Drinks:
Science and Practice.

Lacy Alexander, PhD, FACSM, FAPS Lacy Alexander, PhD,
FACSM, FAPS

Integrative Human PhysiologyIntegrative Human
Physiology Professor of Kinesiology & Physiology, Pennsylvania State UniversityProfessor of Kinesiology &
Physiology, Pennsylvania
State University
Research focuses on vascular health and microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease. Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Applied Physiology. Senior leadership roles in both the American Physiological Society and ACSM. Research focuses on vascular
health and microvascular
dysfunction in cardiovascular
disease. Editor-in-
Chief, Journal of Applied
Physiology. Senior leadership
roles in both the American
Physiological Society and
ACSM.

Thomas E. Bernard, PhD, CIH, FAIHA Thomas E. Bernard,
PhD, CIH, FAIHA

Occupational Heat Stress Professor, University of South Florida College of Public HealthProfessor, University of
South Florida College of
Public Health
Over 40 years of research and practice in the evaluation and management of occupational heat stress. Past Chair of the ACGIH Physical Agents TLV Committee and member of the ISO working group on Thermal Environments. Over 40 years of research and
practice in the evaluation and
management of occupational
heat stress. Past Chair of the
ACGIH Physical Agents TLV
Committee and member of the
ISO working group on Thermal
Environments.

W. Larry Kenney, PhD, FACSM, FAPS W. Larry Kenney, PhD, FACSM, FAPS

Exercise Physiology & Heat StressExercise Physiology & HeatStress Marie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance, Penn State UniversityMarie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance, Penn State University
~300 publications on exercise, heat stress, and dehydration. Primary author of Physiology of Sport and Exercise (9th ed., 14 languages). Past President of ACSM; one of only 10 scientists to receive Honor Awards from both ACSM and APS. ~300 publications on exercise, heat stress, and dehydration. Primary author of Physiology of Sport and Exercise (9th ed., 14 languages). Past President of ACSM; one of only 10 scientists to receive Honor Awards from both ACSM and APS.

Francis G. O'Connor, M.D., MPH,
FACSM, FAMSSM, COL(ret), MC, USA Francis G. O'Connor,
M.D., MPH, FACSM,
FAMSSM, COL(ret),
MC, USA

Military & Sports Medicine · Exertional Heat IllnessMilitary & Sports Medicine ·
Exertional Heat Illness Professor & Medical Director, CHAMP — Uniformed
Services University of the Health SciencesProfessor & Medical
Director, CHAMP — Uniformed
Services University of the
Health Sciences
Professor & Medical Director, CHAMP at Uniformed Services University. COL(ret), U.S. Army. Past President of AMSSM. Expert in exertions heat illness and rhabdomyolysis. Recipient of the Korey Stringer Institute Lifesaving Research Award. Professor & Medical Director,
CHAMP at Uniformed
Services University. COL(ret),
U.S. Army. Past President of
AMSSM. Expert in exertions
heat illness and
rhabdomyolysis. Recipient of
the Korey Stringer Institute
Lifesaving Research Award.

Robert Sallis, MD, FAAFP, FACSM Robert Sallis, MD,
FAAFP, FACSM

Family Medicine & Sports MedicineFamily Medicine & Sports
Medicine Partner Emeritus, Kaiser Permanente · CMO, LA Football Club · Lead Physician, LA ClippersPartner Emeritus, Kaiser
Permanente · CMO, LA
Football Club · Lead
Physician, LA Clippers
Clinical Professor at Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine and UC Riverside School of Medicine. Chief Medical Officer, Los Angeles Football Club. Lead Primary Care Physician, Los Angeles Clippers. Past President, American College of Sports Medicine. Clinical Professor at Kaiser
Permanente Bernard J. Tyson
School of Medicine and UC
Riverside School of Medicine.
Chief Medical Officer, Los
Angeles Football Club. Lead
Primary Care Physician, Los
Angeles Clippers. Past
President, American College
of Sports Medicine.

June Spector, MD, MPH June Spector, MD,
MPH

Occupational Heat Stress Research Professor, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of WashingtonResearch Associate
Professor,
University of Washington —
DEOHS
Specialist in occupational heat stress using epidemiologic, field, and community-engaged approaches. Former member of the NACOSH Heat Injury & Illness Prevention Work Group and former member of the ACGIH® TLV®-PA Heat Stress/Strain working group. Specialist in occupational heat
stress using epidemiologic,
field, and community-engaged
approaches. Former member
of the NACOSH Heat Injury &
Illness Prevention Work Group
and former member of the ACGIH®
TLV®-PA Heat Stress/Strain
working group.

Otsuka America, Inc. Otsuka
America, Inc.

As part of the Otsuka Group—a leading healthcare company rooted in Japan—POCARI SWEAT is operated in the US by Crystal Geyser Water Co. The US-based POCARI SWEAT team is fully dedicated to this SAB initiative. As part of the Otsuka Group—
a leading healthcare company
rooted in Japan—POCARI
SWEAT is operated in the US
by Crystal Geyser Water Co.
The US-based POCARI
SWEAT team is fully dedicated
to this SAB initiative.
Reference Documents

Key Resources & Guidelines

OSHA
Heat Injury & Illness Prevention in outdoor and indoor work settings
DOWNLOAD PDF
AIHA
AIHA Comments to OSHA Heat Stress NPRM
DOWNLOAD PDF
ASSP
ASSP OSHA Heat Stress Comment - January 2025
DOWNLOAD PDF