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Exertional Heat Illness in the Military: Risk Mitigation

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Book cover Human Health and Physical Activity During Heat Exposure

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences ((BRIEFSMEEASC))

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on exertional heat illness (EHI) in the military and covers common scenarios of EHI, the epidemiology, and guidelines related to risk mitigation and physical activity modifications. EHI risk is particularly high among new military recruits and those in combat occupational specialties. Other extrinsic and intrinsic factors are reviewed, including sickle cell trait and medications, which have received more attention recently. Military leaders are responsible for mitigating EHI risk at both the unit and individual level. The five steps of risk management are identify hazards, assess hazards, develop controls and make risk decisions, implement controls, and supervise and evaluate. Each step is discussed and elucidated with examples of work/rest hydration cycles by heat categories and Army risk management matrices. Military leaders need to remain vigilant and adapt risk management strategies; as the military’s demographic/occupational makeup changes, the evidence base for EHI risk mitigation evolves, and new technologies become available.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Josh B. Kazman, Francis G. O’Connor & Patricia A. Deuster

  2. Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    D. Alan Nelson

Authors
  1. Josh B. Kazman
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  2. Francis G. O’Connor
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  3. D. Alan Nelson
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  4. Patricia A. Deuster
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josh B. Kazman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan

    Yuri Hosokawa

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The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense, or any other government agencies.

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Kazman, J.B., O’Connor, F.G., Alan Nelson, D., Deuster, P.A. (2018). Exertional Heat Illness in the Military: Risk Mitigation. In: Hosokawa, Y. (eds) Human Health and Physical Activity During Heat Exposure. SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75889-3_5

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