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Exertional heat illness in Air Force basic military trainees.
Brian Smalley1, Robin M Janke, David Cole
1Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Military Medicine
|May 8, 2003
Summary
Heat illness rates are low in Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, despite hot temperatures. However, improving the tracking and reporting of exertional heat illnesses is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Medicine
- Military Health
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Exertional heat illnesses pose a significant risk during military operations.
- Air Force basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base is a location where these illnesses can occur.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of exertional heat illnesses in Air Force basic military trainees at Lackland Air Force Base.
Main Methods:
- Data were collected from the Ambulatory Data System and the Air Force Reportable Event Surveillance System.
- A review of a published report from Military Medicine (December 1999) was also included.
Main Results:
- In 1999, 51 cases of heat illness were reported among basic trainees, with a rate of 1.3 per 1,000.
- Diagnoses included "heat effect" (21), heat syncope (4), heat exhaustion (22), and heat stroke (5).
- Seven heat stroke deaths occurred among trainees from 1956 to 1999.
Conclusions:
- Heat illness and injury rates are low in this training environment, even with high temperatures.
- Improvements are needed in the tracking and reporting systems for heat illnesses.