'Health, Environment and Training': Guidance on conduct of physical exertion in hot and humid climates

Military operations and training in hot environments present a special set of challenges to medical personnel who must support them.

Various meteorological parameters such as relative humidity (RH), ambient air temperature (Ta) and radiant temperature (Tg), were evaluated at training sites in a desert region. Development of a colour coded Heat Stress Prevention Decision Aid Tool was done using an existing guideline chart.

Temperatures were being recorded routinely by ordinary meteorological instruments mounted within a Stevenson Screen. Onsite measurements with a USB datalogger was found to be relevant in making a decision on suitability of weather for conduct of training. Heat casualties occur when the stresses imposed by some combination of environment, work, and clothing combine to exceed individual tolerance limits. Personnel may encounter high environmental heat loads while working outdoors; during road marches; and while carrying loads or undertaking mechanical maintenance activities. Preventive strategies cannot be expected to eliminate heat stress but should minimize its impact on training while preserving the health of personnel to the extent possible.

It is recommended that onsite measurement of meteorological parameters should be done, and a decision tool should be utilized for arriving at a spot decision by junior leaders.