IDF soldier collapses on training run due to heat stroke

The IDF released the preliminary details of its investigation into the collapse of a soldier during training on Sunday.

According to the preliminary report, the soldier, who is part of the Nahal Reconnaissance Brigade, went on a run with his unit that started at 9:04 A.M. and ended at 9:51. As the soldiers were nearing the end of their run the temperatures rose, according to the report to a heat stress level of three. The commander slowed the pace but right before finishing the run the soldier collapsed.

The commander, who is a Magen David Adom-trained medic, immediately picked the soldier up and told his comrades to take him to the showers, douse him in cold water and let him drink. Throughout treatment the soldier was conscious, though confused, and communicated with the other soldiers.

The platoon commander arrived and the soldier was taken to the infirmary, where he was administered ice packs and was given fluids through an IV. An ambulance took him to a nearby hospital for signs of heat stroke.

The soldier is an immigrant from the U.S. living on a kibbutz in northern Israel. He enlisted in the IDF as part of the Garin Tzabar program, which as part of the Israeli Scouts movement provides lodging on kibbutzim across Israel for individuals from abroad who volunteer for IDF service.

The soldier's mother and sister flew in from Los Angeles on Sunday to see him. Nahal Brigade Commander Col. Yehuda Fuchs also came to the hospital to check on the soldier, whose condition is still considered serious though stable.

A senior officer noted on Monday that running in conditions of level three heat stress was allowed because it was not competitive, rather routine, training. The current IDF investigation will look into the commander's reasoning for choosing to go on the run. In the past two months three of the platoon's morning runs were cancelled due to overwhelming heat.

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