By David Lohr

advertisement

Michael and his fellow soldiers arrived at the start point about 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 8.  The heat index was already starting to rise significantly.  After completing a few practice points, they were brought together as a company shortly before noon for a final briefing.  

"As the cadre spoke, we felt the temperature shoot up at least five degrees, if not more, within a 30-second time span.  We were informed of one single water point located at the top of the hill where we would begin our event, at which we could fill our canteens and Camelbacks; though not everyone had brought a Camelback, as it was not a mandatory item, nor are they typically issued to soldiers by their units.

Sgt. Lawrence Sprader

"There were three medics on site, ready to treat any possible heat casualties with IV fluid.  Finally, we were given our points to plot on a map and then find on foot.  The points were spread out in varying distances up to 1.5 to 2 kms apart.  A few of us had asked if there would be any water points manned by cadre at the more remote coordinates, but there were none.  Instead, they would have cadre roaming around the unimproved roads in a Humvee in case someone needed help.  However, not all the points were near an unimproved road, and not all the students reported even seeing the roaming Humvee upon completion of the course."

When Michael finished his portion of the event, he returned to the start point, where he discovered a large number of soldiers being treated for dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Michael continued. "There were many attending the course who were coming from areas where they wouldn't be acclimatized to such severe weather.  I later learned that a significant portion of the company had to be treated with IVs and many had to be sent to the hospital; so many, in fact, that the medics that had been brought were not enough to treat them all.  Soldiers enrolled in the course who were medics by trade were forced to step up to be able to treat the casualties.  By the time the event was over, all but one soldier was accounted for.

Next Page

Previous Page

Contact  David Lohr at           crimewriter74@hughes.net

Hyperthermia, Dehydration Killed Sgt. Lawrence G. Sprader

Fort Hood Soldiers Search for Sgt. Lawrence G. Sprader

For More Daily Crime News