HEAT STRESS DURING OPERATION BANYAN TREE I
Abstract
In Operation Banyan Tree I, 1500 unacclimatized paratroopers were flown from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Panama where they parachuted and engaged in a strenuous 2-day combat exercise against seasoned Army units stationed in Panama. Measurements of body weight, pulse rate, oral temperature, urine volume, urine specific gravity, and urinary electrolytes were made on a test squad of ten men on two successive days before the operation, once during the flight to Panama, on both days of the exercise, and finally one eek after its return to Fort B Results indicated that these physically fit but unacclimatized men experienced significant degrees of dehydration, accompanied by reduced urinary volume, and depletion of urinary electrolytes, as well as elevation of oral temperature and resting pulse rate. Clinical symptoms of muscle cramps in one subject together with low urinary electrolytes in all subjects suggests the presence of marginal salt deficiency. In comparing them with control subjects, observers noted serious impairment of ragg. Results indicated that these physically fit but unacclimatized men experienced significant degrees of dehydration, accompanied by reduced urinary volume, and depletion of urinary electrolytes, as well as elevation of oral temperature and resting pulse rate. Clinical symptoms of muscle cramps in one subject together with low urinary electrolytes in all subjects suggests the presence of marginal salt deficiency. In comparing them with control subjects, observers noted serious impairment of combat efficiency. (A thor)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 14, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0265893
Entities
People
- David Minard
- George A. Grayeb Jr
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center