WBGT HEAT STRESS CATEGORY MESSAGES

The current WBGT categories are recorded at the Environmental Health Section, Dwight D. Eisenhower Medical Center. For further information, please call 787-1216 or 787-1215 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.

CATEGORY 0 (below 78° F)

• DDEAMC Heat Stress Index Information for the WBGT heat index below 78°F, heat stress category ZERO. Add 5°F to WBGT index if you are wearing body armor. Training can continue as prescribed.

CATEGORY 1 (78° F-81.9°F)

• DDEAMC Heat Stress Index Information for the WBGT heat index category ONE. Add 5°F to WBGT index if you are wearing body armor. The recommended water intake is of at least ¾ of a quart per hour, not to exceed 1 ½ quarts per hour. No change in training is required. This recommendation applies to the average acclimated soldier wearing ACU’s or BDU’s and conducting moderate work outdoors. Use discretion when planning heavy exercises for unacclimated personnel.

CATEGORY 2 (82° F-84.9°F)

• DDEAMC Heat Stress Index Information for the Heat Stress Index category TWO. Add 5°F to WBGT index if you are wearing body armor. The recommended water intake is of at least ¾ of a quart per hour, not to exceed 1 ½ quarts per hour. Outdoor physical training and strenuous exercise should be limited to 50 minutes per hour. This recommendation applies to the average acclimated soldier wearing ACU’s or BDU’s and conducting moderate work outdoors. Use discretion when planning heavy exercises for unacclimated personnel.

CATEGORY 3 (85° F-87.9°F)

• DDEAMC Heat Stress Index Information for the WBGT Heat Index category THREE. Add 5°F to WBGT index if you are wearing body armor. The recommended water intake is of at least ¾ of a quart per hour, not to exceed 1 ½ quarts per hour. Outdoor physical training and strenuous exercise should be limited to 40 minutes per hour. You should unblouse trouser legs. This recommendation applies to the average acclimated soldier wearing ACU’s or BDU’s and conducting moderate work outdoors. Use discretion when planning heavy exercises for unacclimated personnel.

CATEGORY 4 (88° F-89.9°F)

• DDEAMC Heat Stress Index Information for the WBGT Heat Index category FOUR. Add 5°F to WBGT index if you are wearing body armor. The recommended water intake is of at least ¾ of a quart per hour, not to exceed 1 ½ quarts per hour. Outdoor physical training and strenuous exercise should be limited to 30 minutes per hour. You should unblouse trouser legs, remove ACU or BDU top down to t-shirt (depending whether biting insects are present), and remove helmet unless there are specific safety reasons to keep them on. This recommendation applies to the average acclimated soldier wearing ACU’s or BDU’s and conducting moderate work outdoors. Use discretion when planning heavy exercises for unacclimated personnel.

CATEGORY 5 (90° F or above)

• DDEAMC Heat Stress Index Information for the WBGT Heat Index category FIVE. Add 5°F to WBGT index if you are wearing body armor. The recommended water intake is of at least ¾ of a quart per hour, not to exceed 1 ½ quarts per hour. Outdoor physical training and strenuous exercise should be limited to 20 minutes per hour. You should unblouse trouser legs, remove ACU or BDU top down to t-shirt (depending whether biting insects are present), and remove helmet unless there are specific safety reasons to keep them on. This recommendation applies to the average acclimated soldier wearing ACU’s or BDU’s and conducting moderate work outdoors. Use discretion when planning heavy exercises for unacclimated personnel.