Osan AB Airman Remains In Coma After Receiving Heat Injury During A Road March
|It seems to me that the heat wave in South Korea did not cause this heat injury considering the article says he fell out when the temperature was 77 F. It seems like other factors such as how well hydrated he was before and during the ruck march might be more responsible than a 77 degree F temperature, especially with the humidity in South Korea. A major question that will need to be asked is how much water were the airmen carrying on the march and were there water stations for access to more water?:
A South Korea-based airman who collapsed during a ruck march is among thousands hospitalized from a heat wave that has claimed dozens of lives this month in the Far East.
A GoFundMe page seeking donations for the family of Airman 1st Class Mikhahael Ragay says that “during a ruck at Osan Air Base, South Korea, A1C Ragay fell out due to heat exhaustion/dehydration. His core body temperature was 108 degrees Fahrenheit and he is currently in critical condition in a comatose state. His family flew out to Osan to be with him, and all proceeds will go to his family to support them during this difficult time.”
Members of the 51st Security Forces Squadron participated in a ruck march at about 6 a.m. Saturday, said Staff Sgt. Tinese Jackson, a 51st Fighter Wing spokeswoman. The trek culminated an eight-day Combat Readiness Course, which is an initial training exercise for airmen new to the unit.
“A member of the 51st SFS passed out during the ruck march and was taken to the emergency room,” she said. “The Airman is currently being treated and recovering at an off-base hospital in the Republic of Korea.” [Stars & Stripes]
You can read more at the link, but hopefully the airman makes a full recovery.
The young lad needs additional training. Give him a Code Red. – COL Jessup
USAF, not USMC, McGeehee… Guarding airbases and picking up cigarette butts requires a different level of training than storming beaches or guarding embassies…
Or at least it did…
Saturday morning ruck and obstacle course….hmmm wonder if it was a welcome to the unit kinda thing, go out drinking the night before then call no notice event on Saturday for the new guys.
No one here knows what happened in this case but, as a general rule, drinking alcohol can accelerate heat stroke.
Guess he wasn’t a PJ or Combat Controller……comes out of guard shack and salutes smartly at sticker on windshield.