Military Heat Stroke Incident: Successfully Overcoming a Core Temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius
In a series of recent studies and case reports, the importance of immediate cooling in exertional heat stroke (EHS) cases has been highlighted. This condition, characterised by an elevation of the core body temperature above 40°C (104°F) and associated with neurological disorders, can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
One of the key findings from these studies is that the number of EHS deaths among high school students has remained relatively stable since the 1980s, with a notable peak between 2002 and 2011. However, it's important to note that these figures may be underestimated due to the nature of the reporting system. In the United States, another category of young adults is particularly at risk: high school athletes.
A study published in December 2024 reported a case series of 4 Israeli soldiers who died from EHS during intense physical exercises in the desert heat. The cases involved soldiers who collapsed during a march in the afternoon under strong heat, with rectal temperatures measured at 45°C and 44°C upon arrival at the hospital.
Immediate cooling methods significantly improve survival rates and reduce recovery time for patients with EHS. Cooling techniques like cold water immersion or applying ice packs to areas with large blood vessels (armpits, groin, neck) are especially effective and considered standard emergency care.
Rapid restoration of normal body temperature and brain function within one hour of symptom onset leads to most patients recovering fully without long-term damage. Cold water immersion (ice baths) is one of the fastest ways to reduce core temperature and is prioritized if available. When ice baths are not accessible, applying ice packs to the groin, armpits, and neck or using cool wet cloths and fans can effectively accelerate heat loss and improve outcomes.
Delays in cooling increase the risk of organ breakdown, including kidney, heart, and liver failure, which worsens prognosis and prolongs recovery. In addition to cooling, IV hydration after immediate cooling supports electrolyte balance and vital organ stabilization, which also influences recovery.
In a rare case reported in 1982, a 52-year-old man was admitted to the hospital in a deep coma after suffering a heat stroke, with an initial body temperature above 42°C. Despite subsequent multi-organ failure, intensive care allowed for a full recovery, with a return to his previous health status and hospital discharge on the 24th day.
A 23-year-old American soldier, previously in good health, collapses during an individual training exercise in the field. The soldier exhibits a significant language disorder (aphasia) during his seven-day stay in the intensive care unit. Not all military personnel who have suffered from exercise heat stroke have been as lucky as this young soldier, whose story was recounted at the beginning of this article.
Prevention remains crucial to avoid deaths. Simple and low-cost measures, such as the presence of trained health professionals and rapid cooling devices on site, ensure survival in 100% of cases. It's important to note that ambient temperature is not an indispensable condition for the onset of EHS, although it increases the risk.
In conclusion, immediate cooling is critical for EHS survival and speed of recovery, with cold water immersion as the gold-standard method, supported by ice packs and other cooling techniques when immersion is impractical. Cooling is an absolute therapeutic emergency in heat stroke cases and should be initiated immediately.
- The importance of science, specifically medical research, has shed light on the effectiveness of immediate cooling methods in combating medical-conditions like exertional heat stroke (EHS).
- Besides space-and-astronomy, health-and-wellness also plays a significant role in our lives, with transport playing a crucial part in ensuring prompt access to medical care for life-threatening conditions such as EHS.
