Ministry of National Defense News Reference Materials

Time: June 11^th, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

Ⅰ. Press Conference Topic:

Explanation on “Armed Forces Heat Stress Prevention and Treatment”

Ⅱ. Host: Military Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense – Major General Chen Zhong-ji

Ⅲ. Attendees:

1. Deputy Chief of the Health Logistics Department of Medical Affairs Bureau – Colonel Zhang Guo-rong

2. Deputy Chief of the Military Training Department of Second Training Room – Colonel You Sen-wu

Ⅳ. “Armed Forces Heat Stress Prevention and Treatment” Information:

ⅰ. Preface

As summer arrives, the high heat becomes the main cause of heat stress (heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis); the affiliated units of Ministry of National Defense not only actively implement various heat stress prevention propaganda, but have also completed the heat stress qualified VISA procedure for all comrades before the end of April, as well as continue reinforcing the comrades’ identification in heat stress symptoms, preliminary disposals, and emergency cooling drills, in order to instill the correct concept of heat stress prevention as well as early prevention and disposal for cadres and comrades of each level.

ⅱ. Sudden temperature changes often occur during the transition from spring to summer; in order to prevent heat stress incidents from happening during military exercises, the relevant prevention and treatment are shown as below:

(1) Undergo balanced and regular sports training before various physical tests to gradually adjust the ability of heat adaptation in order to avoid sudden testing.

(2) The affiliated unit should complete roll call before military exercises to grasp on tested subjects who are feeling unwell (including obesity, prescription of cold medicine, empty stomach, excessive fatigue etc.) and provide adequate care, with suspension of testing when necessary.

(3) Specify accompanying emergency marshalling, establish a communication mechanism and complete its testing, grasp on the hospital adjacent to the venue of military exercises that is equipped with emergency disposal energy (department, equipment, and contact number), pre-exploration and be familiar with evacuation routes.

(4) Complete preparedness for equipment including first aid kits (bags), sprinklers, fans, and ice buckets before the ambulance is dispatched for duty; install dashcam and test its functions, and emergency staffs must be familiar with the operation of various emergency equipment in case of need.

(5) Regularly monitor the changes in the heat stroke risk factor (temperature + humidity *0.1) according to various training venues, replenish drinking water at any time (small quantity for a number of times with slow ingestion), and do not replace water with iced beverages.

(6) Emergency disposal treatments are shown as below:

1. Rapid Discovery: when you or the adjacent solder is experiencing symptoms including unconscious, general tiredness & weakness and muscle pain, elevation in body temperature, stop sweating, and reduction in the amount of urine (deepend color), notify the cadres immediately and receive immediate treatment from medical staffs.

2. Rapid Cooling: relocate the patient to a cool and ventilated place, remove equipment, use cold water, ice, or wet cloth to damp and wipe the entire body, put an ice patch under the neck, armpit and the arota area on either side of the groin, and provide water when necessary.

3. Rapid Medical Service: evacuate while cooling, and contact the hospital for treatment simultaneously to prepare for emergency procedure in advance; pay close attention to the patient’s vital signs during evacuation, and provide necessary medical disposals timely.

ⅲ. The blazing heat will continue to rise as we welcome the arrival of summer. Ministry of National Defense hereby calls upon all citizens and comrades of Armed Forces to pay attention to the color changes of urine and adequately replenish water during indoor and outdoor activities, as well as choose proper activity times and venues, and prepare for relevant activity equipment; consult doctors immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of heat stress to ensure a healthy physical condition.

ⅳ. Conclusion

The Armed Forces have achieved a heat stress fatality rate of 0 with the continuous effort from each level and under the proper and swift emergency disposals in recent years, and the number of severe cases has decreased substantially; however, the ministry will continue to request all comrades to implement heat stress prevention, reinforce risk management for cadres (personnel identification and environment monitoring), refine emergency treatment (health emergency treatment and continuous cooling treatment after arriving at the hospital), and elevate the ability of self-protection, so that comrades are able to achieve the target of “Safe with Zero Damage” in training environment.