Heat Exhaustion at the USNA Today

lovethenavy

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
255
Has anyone heard anything about the Yahoo news story that was posted earlier today by another forum member concerning potential Black Flag days? I had just posted that I saw the class on Facebook doing endurance testing....now I am very worried. What is the protocol if something like this happens to your son or daughter? See below what I copied from a previous post:


"ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Four midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy are being treated for signs of heat exhaustion after running an obstacle course in near 90-degree weather that is part of an Eastern heat wave.

Naval Academy spokeswoman Judy Campbell says first responders at the Annapolis, Md., academy were called about 10 a.m. to assist four midshipmen. The four had completed an endurance course that included climbing cargo netting and jumping over logs.

The midshipmen were on the course with a larger group from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Campbell said they were being treated and monitored. She did not know if the individuals were men or women or if they were taken to a hospital."
 
USNA response (from Facebook):

"At approximately 10 a.m., Naval Academy first responders were called to treat four 4th Class midshipmen (plebes or freshmen) who were exhibiting possible signs of heat exhaustion. The plebes had been participating in training at the endurance course early this morning (between 7-9 a.m.). After completing the course, they returned to the Naval Academy whereupon they began exhibiting possible symptoms of heat exhaustion. As a result, medical authorities were notified. The midshipmen were transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis as a precaution and were treated.

Over 1,200 plebes reported to the Naval Academy less than one week ago (July 1) to begin a rigorous six-week training program. The plebes involved today are from companies that did not conduct physical fitness training earlier in the morning, but instead conducted their first training on the academy’s endurance course. At the time of their participation in the endurance course, the weather conditions were evaluated as “Green flag” – i.e. WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) between 80-84.9 F which imposed no restrictions on their outdoor activities. As weather conditions deteriorated today, at 9:25 a.m. outdoor training with the exception of sailing and weapons was curtailed. Hydration is an important consideration of physical training, and water was available and used during training. These are examples of the precautionary measures and training modifications the academy planned for and has implemented. Consistent with Navy fleet standards, outdoor training conditions throughout the Yard are frequently monitored so that the academy can adjust training in the interest of safety."
 
I had just posted that I saw the class on Facebook doing endurance testing....now I am very worried. What is the protocol if something like this happens to your son or daughter? See below what I copied from a previous post:
Seriously. Do NOT worry. 4 mids is only 1% of the class. They are watching carefully for heat exhaustion and will yank them out and IV them if necessary. A pint or two of fluid and they can be back at it.
Many times heat exhaustion is self inflicted. They forget to drink - hence mandatory hydration. Or they don't tell the cadre they don't feel well, since it's a sign of 'weakness' - until they have bad stomach cramps and can't walk.
Some kids will just be more susceptible to the heat than others. This is nothing worse than normal boot camp which thousands of young men and women undertake each year.
 
Careful words

"possible" signs of heat exhaustion? The response does not say whether the mids have been released from AAMC. This kind of careful parsing of words does not sit well with this Plebe parent. "Heat Exhaustion" is the precursor to "Heat Stroke", both defined medical terms.
 
2-3 hours seems to be a little long. I would assume they had water.

As a swab, we were forced to drink water...so much I thought I would throw up, but I didn't pass out, thought I might once, but I didn't.
 
"possible" signs of heat exhaustion? The response does not say whether the mids have been released from AAMC. This kind of careful parsing of words does not sit well with this Plebe parent. "Heat Exhaustion" is the precursor to "Heat Stroke", both defined medical terms.

Huge, huge difference between "heat exahustion" and "Heat Stroke".

"Possible" could also mean that they showed one sign of heat exhaustion and erred on the side of caution. You will not find private medical information released to the press. time to chill. drink a glass of lemaonade. :wink:
 
Just as a side note, we were at the Color Parade during CW this year and watched from behind. The temperature went above 90 that morning and during the parade, we lost count after 50, the number of Mids that went down and were either help or cared off of the field. It was a little discerning, but all were all right, although it looked as at least one or two did end up in the ambulance and possibly even the hospital.
 
I'm guessing that you're not currently a Plebe Parent.


LOL. You will survive. So will your plebe. Honest! If your child becomes seriously ill, they will call!
No doubt, plebe summer is distracting to parents' whose love and worry become all consuming. Your children are being cared for, hence the ambulance call. Can't stop fighting a war because it's hot.
My heartfelt advice is to go do something fun and quit obsession. Read a book. Take the younger one's (if you've got them) mini golfing. Have a cookout.
In the Military, No News is Good News. :smile:

PS - Write them a letter tonight and remind them to hydrate! They need to be drinking plenty of fluids round the clock, even in the evening. Drink everytime they pee, have them monitor their output - frequent and clear.
Not hydrating sufficiently in the evening and going back out the next day can cause heat exhaustion.
 
Here is the latest update from the USNA on Facebook:
Update: Three of the four Plebes have returned to USNA. The fourth Plebe is expected to return before this evening.
 
Once more from the USNA facebook site:

Update: Fourth Plebe returned to Bancroft Hall this evening!
30 minutes ago

about 7:50 pm EDT
 
I am actually comforted to know that these Plebes are being cared for properly. USNA is dealing with hot and humid weather that many kids are not used to. This weather is similar to what we have in Houston and what my Plebe dealt with when we lived in Singapore. He even remembered to drink quite a bit more the few days and nights before reporting so he was hydrated well for I-Day. Hopefully the kids will remember to drink at every opportunity and at night. I sent Powdered Gatorade packets in his first care package....enough for the entire squad. I hope they got to keep them.
 
Where are you finding these updates on Facebook? All I see are pictures from the choir, the endurance run, testing, etc. Any help would be appreciated. This news is difficult. We are parents and we worry and we do get over it eventually. This forum shouldn't discourage a parent from fretting. We just need to keep comforting ourselves and supporting one another.
 
They are in the comments on the endurance run pictures.
 
Just as a side note, we were at the Color Parade during CW this year and watched from behind. The temperature went above 90 that morning and during the parade, we lost count after 50, the number of Mids that went down and were either help or cared off of the field. It was a little discerning, but all were all right, although it looked as at least one or two did end up in the ambulance and possibly even the hospital.

The color parade business was very ridiculous. Nearly all of those who fell out walked away (simply a case of poor planning the day before), and many were repeat offenders at other parades and did not head the warnings to sit it out.
 
Has anyone heard anything about the Yahoo news story that was posted earlier today by another forum member concerning potential Black Flag days? I had just posted that I saw the class on Facebook doing endurance testing....now I am very worried. What is the protocol if something like this happens to your son or daughter? See below what I copied from a previous post:


"ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Four midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy are being treated for signs of heat exhaustion after running an obstacle course in near 90-degree weather that is part of an Eastern heat wave.

Naval Academy spokeswoman Judy Campbell says first responders at the Annapolis, Md., academy were called about 10 a.m. to assist four midshipmen. The four had completed an endurance course that included climbing cargo netting and jumping over logs.

The midshipmen were on the course with a larger group from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Campbell said they were being treated and monitored. She did not know if the individuals were men or women or if they were taken to a hospital."

Many more than that passed out during the Color Parade this past Commissioning Week. Most of them are usually firsties who have been partying a little too hard the night before.
 
According to the daily schedule on Thornton's, yesterday morning it was Company A on the Obstacle course and Company L on the Squad Endurance run. My son was "safely" doing weapons :biggrin:, so the heat was probably not a factor for his group.
BTW, even if I never buy a picture from Thornton's, the sign up fee was worth it just to see the schedule of what our plebe is doing each day. It also helps when searching for your Waldo on other sites, because you know what evolutions to look for. :thumb:
 
10 went to the hospital after going down at the CW Color Parade. Yes many were firsties who should have known the potential consequences of partying the night before. Back 4 years and the PPW Parade for the Class of 2010 and there were a few that went down then too. Obviously not from partying the night before!

Sea Trials for the Class of 2010 (back when it was open to parents) - my son was yanked out of the ruckrun due to signs of heat exhaustion - taken to medical and given fluids. We had no idea where he was as we saw him go out for the run but never come back in and was not present at the next activity. We did not go find anyone to ask knowing that we would be contacted if there was a serious problem. About 4 hours later our Plebe called us to meet him and he explained. Yes it was disconcerting for us. Yes we were worried. The bottom line is USNA has been doing this for many years. They have already made an investment in your Plebes. They are not going to put them in serious jeopardy. They will monitor and remove from activities as needed. You have to trust the system and know that the Academy, the Detailers, the Officers and the Senior Enlisted all are watching out for your Plebes and Midshipman. It is hard to let go but in the end your Plebe will appreciate that you too are trusting the system.
 
I'm guessing that you're not currently a Plebe Parent.

fishbowl,

You are correct that many of us (JustaMom, myself, and many others) are not current Plebe parents. My Mid is a current 2/C who was a squad leader last year for NASS. Here are some of the precautions USNA takes to take care of your Plebes:
- EVERY Plebe is given a canteen as one of their first items on I-day. That canteen is attached to the web belt they wear ALL DAY as part of their uniform. Every Plebe is ordered to drink water regularly throughout PEP and other exercises. The detailers are expected to check canteens periodically to make sure the Plebes are doing so.
- The detailers spent about a week before your Plebes arrived attending briefings to properly prepare them to take care of the Plebes. My Mid hasn't been a detailer for Plebe Summer yet, only for NASS, but they were instructed on the signs of heat exhaustion, etc. As leaders, they are expected to monitor "their" NASSers/Plebes to make sure they're OK.
- USNA sets the "flag" limits to restrict activity as necessary to reduce danger.

We DO understand your concern, because our sons and daughters have already made it through Plebe summer in the recent past.

Food for thought: Our country's sons and daughters who are serving on land and at sea in the Gulf and Afghanistan do not get "black flag" days.
 
Asked my Daughter what they did on Blck Flag days at Leatherneck? Paraphrasing her response: Their ain't no such animal at Quantico. They learn and adapt.:thumb: With full pack and gear and they are evaluated. She did say that Color Parade was a brutal day for everyone.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top