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Armed Forces: Heatstroke

Answer

Military personnel operating in Iraq and Afghanistan are subjected to extreme temperatures, both in armoured vehicles and in their day-to-day duties, and commanders on the ground constantly review the necessity of the tasks they face in order to reduce the exposure of troops.Various steps are taken to prevent heat related illnesses. Personnel undertake an acclimatisation programme as part of their reception, staging and onward integration (RSOI) training which commences at the beginning of an operational tour and generally lasts for five days. Commanders are provided with heat illness prevention instructions in order to monitor heat stress. Temperature and humidity levels are forecast daily as part of standard operating procedures (SOPs) thereby allowing commanders to schedule workloads accordingly. Wherever operationally feasible air conditioning is used in accommodation, business offices, facilities such as welfare and catering and medical facilities in the main camps in operational theatres, although clearly not possible in all operational areas. Canteen areas have large fridges which are stocked with a plentiful supply of cold water.It is also important that air conditioning does not hinder acclimatisation. Research conducted by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM), which has been reflected in permanent joint headquarters (PJHQ) SOPs, recommends that acclimatisation will be achieved and maintained if personnel are exposed to two hours of heat per day, undertaking some physical activity sufficient to cause sweating.Advice given to officers, soldiers, trainers and medics on the treatment of heat and cold injury is contained within JSP 539 (““Climatic Injuries in the Armed Forces: Prevention and Treatment””). Additionally, PJHQ issues advice relevant to individual theatres of operation. A copy of the JSP 539 is in the House Library.Since 2003, coroners’ inquests to date have found that one reservist private, one regular army corporal and one RAF senior aircraftsman have died as a result of heat-related conditions while serving in Iraq.In Iraq during the 34 month period from September 2004 to July 2006, 284 service personnel were recorded with a complaint of climatic injury—all heat related—of whom 80 needed to be admitted to a field hospital or otherwise bedded down. In Iraq, the temperature and humidity can change very quickly, increasing the likelihood of sudden increased instances of heat illness. In Afghanistan during the four month period from April to July 2006, PJHQ recorded 33 cases of climatic injury—all likely to be heat related, of whom 16 needed to be bedded down.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

457 c2307-8W;457 c2293-4W; 121518

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Armed forces Heatstroke

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk