The Plan: Start at 0900 No water Points No safety Briefing No enforcement of Eye Protection No Qualified Safety Personnel O/H No Medical Plan Execution: Started at 0900 Without Safety Brief Event Participants were not checked for Eye protection 0910 Participants took the field Lead element departed 1st halt 10 minutes later Side Commander issued FRAGO to shift route to firebreak and skip Lunch From 0910 to 1050 heat went from Cat III to Cat V 1101 Players are injured, one by welts at body and ear at close range, another by Injury to the left eye Sporadic communications after injury 1134 to 1312 Hospital trip lengthened due to lack of knowledge of location
Other Contributing Factors : Temperatures in excess of 90+ Degrees Inadequate full sealing eye protection Only two radios available to the organizersboth had weak batteries and worked only sporadically Non use of minimum engagement ranges
2 civilians evacuated 1 serious condition, hospitalized (loss of left eye) 1 treated and released (Minor flesh injuries)
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•PCI / PCC’s not conducted to standard •No review of risk assessment, or safety brief •Review of controls and positive leader checks •Change to plan without consideration to risk •Cumulative effects of heat
“Tip of the spear”
Lessons Learned : Review plan with risk management and identify safety hazards prior to execution. Provide Water Points O/H to account for high risk heat injuries. Conduct safety Briefings outlining field rules Maintain enforcement of Eye Protection at all times and conduct PCC/ PCI of all players attending prior to the Event. Have Qualified Safety Personnel O/H to monitor Game play and established safety rules with working radios Have a Medical Plan to include qualified medical personnel O/H, designated Medical vehicle, and a strip map to the nearest medical facility. Require event participants to wear full sealing Eye protection, full length uniforms to include arm and leg Minimum engagement distances (MED) in place (400FPS MED at 30 Feet) To lessen the impact of Airsoft Rounds.
“Tip of the spear”