Heat Illness: A Comparison between UK and Cyprus Reports

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the reports of heat casualties to Medical Branch, United Kingdom Land Forces (UKLF) for the period 1986-1994. There was a marked reduction in reports for 1990-1993 compared to the remaining period studied. This may have been the result of improved prevention or under-reporting. This data has been compared to the reports of heat casualties occurring in Cyprus from 1990-1994. Forced marches and military runs were the primary activities causing heat casualties in UK compared to military exercises in Cyprus. There were many more severe casualties in UK than in Cyprus. If it is necessary to reduce the annual rate of heat casualties in the Army then changes in policy should be focused on the problem in UK. This should consider the generation of metabolic heat as the primary cause of heat illness as opposed to environmental factors. In overseas commands (eg Cyprus) the relative effects are reversed.