The six months that hot shot crewmembers spend together consist of long periods of waiting interrupted by days of heightened demands on the mind and body. Life on and off the fireline becomes a cycle of preparation, performance and recovery. Injuries are an economic hardship when overtime hours on assignment are missed. Sharp tools, falling trees and rolling rocks, toxic plants, exhaustion and dehydration are some common environmental hazards to hot shots. Crew morale also affects their ability to work safely.