PLR 24-084 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life
A 29-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap in Milford, Kansas, at local. The Soldier was swimming at Milford Lake when he was reported missing. The Geary County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the Soldier unresponsive. The Geary County coroner pronounced him dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.
Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the third fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY24 and below the number of fatalities this same time last year.
Safety tip
In the U.S., an average of 3,500 to 4,000 people drown per year. That is an average of 10 fatal drownings per day. Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, ponds and the ocean) is harder than in a pool. People tire faster and get into trouble more quickly. A person can go under water in a murky lake, making them hard to find, or be swept away in currents.
- Swim in a lifeguarded area, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
- Be cautious of sudden dropoffs in lakes and rivers. People who can't swim or aren't strong swimmers have slipped into deeper water and drowned.
- Stay sober when on or in the water. Alcohol and other drugs increase the effects of weather, temperature and wave action.
- Life jackets are recommended for children swimming in lakes and rivers.
- Always keep a close eye on small children and keep them within arm’s reach.
- Know your limitations — including physical fitness and medical conditions.
- Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy or swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present.
- Understand the dangers of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout.
- Take caution of the unique risks of the water environment you are in, such as:
- River currents
- Underwater currents
- Water temperature
- Shallow or unclear water
- Underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals
- It is always best to call for assistance if possible before attempting a water rescue, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
The Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation includes a section dedicated to water-related activities which contains statistics, contributing factors, prevention tips and other relevant information. You can download the full presentation or the Water-Related Activities breakout from the In the Spotlight Series at: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Home-and-Family/Off-Duty-Safety-Awareness-Presentation-2024.
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