‘Low-tech’ solutions have high impact on reducing U.S. Army heat injuries

FORT BENNING, Ga. (WRBL) — Despite high temperature readings this summer, U.S. Army heat experts say heat injury incidents at Fort Benning are on track for record lows. Much of the technology reducing risk for soldiers is relatively simple.

“To call it a ‘technology’ kind of elevates it — it’s extremely low-tech,” Lt. Col. David DeGroot said with a chuckle, pointing out a set of essentially cold water tanks. The Army calls them “arm immersion cooling systems” or AICS.

The systems may be basic but “low-tech” is the point. It’s effective.

“The intent when we developed this was to come up with a simple technology,” said DeGroot, director of the U.S. Army Heat Center and inventor behind the AICS which are used across the Army. “All they need to do is make sure they keep the water cold.”

In 2025 so far, Fort Benning has recorded 20 heat injuries, compared to 90 in 2018 before the Army’s Heat Center was formally established on post in 2019.

Research published by DeGroot in 2015 studied the impact of AICS on soldiers undergoing Ranger training. It indicated use of the systems can reduce heat illness severity by lowering soldiers’ body temperatures quickly and effectively.

The Army also uses handheld technology, like a monitoring device which shows leaders air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and windspeed specifics at the current location.

Information from the monitor is used to determine appropriate use of another “low-tech” heat injury mitigation tactic: rest.

“Rest does not mean not training,” DeGroot explained, pointing out a group of soldiers kneeling in a field behind him.

Readings for the day were not as high as a few weeks prior, and the sun wasn’t out, but it was still hot and humid.

“They’re practicing some sort of skill or they might be receiving instructions from the drill sergeants,” DeGroot said. “But for the purposes of … protecting [soldiers] from heat illness, they’re at rest right now, even though they are still engaged in training.”

According to DeGroot, the risk of heat injury typically declines in mid-September. Though that risk further drops in winter months, the expert said it can still be a concern in lower temperatures if strenuous effort and/or humidity bring someone’s body temperature too high.

In February 2023, the U.S. Army Heat Center treated a Fort Benning soldier who got heat stroke when it was just 68 degrees outside.