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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

MEDIA Preliminary Loss Reports

About Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

PLRs are intended to be used as an engagement tool for leaders to discuss the hazards and trends impacting Soldier safety and readiness. A PLR contains only basic information, as the investigation is ongoing, but provides sufficient background to allow leaders an opportunity to communicate risk at the Soldier level.

 

PLR 25-009 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation
A 26-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 8 November 2024 in Richmond Hill, Georgia, at 0224 local. While fishing from a dock, the Soldier jumped into the river to retrieve a loose crab trap. He was last seen submerging underwater. Fellow Soldiers attempted to locate him but were unsuccessful. The Soldiers immediately contacted local authorities and notified their chain of command. Local authorities recovered the Soldier and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the first fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY25 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Fishing Dock Safety Tips:
 
  • Check the weather conditions. Stormy weather and thunderstorms are extremely dangerous if you’re out on the water but can be just as deadly for someone standing on a dock. If the weather seems rough, reschedule your fishing trip.
     
  • If the weather is appropriate for fishing, let someone close to you know about your fishing plans. Just in case something happens, it will be good for someone to know where you are and when you are expected to return.
     
  • Regardless of your swimming skills, always wear a properly fitted life jacket when you’re on the dock. It can be a lifesaver if you accidentally slip or fall into the water.
     
  • Be aware of unseen water hazards. Natural water bodies like rivers, lakes and oceans have many hidden hazards below the surface of the water that you can’t see such as swift currents, submerged trees, unexpected holes and steep drop-offs to name a few.
     

 

PLR 24-093 - Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation

A 43-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap at local. The Soldier was a passenger on a single-engine aircraft that crashed into a wooded area. The investigation is being conducted by local law enforcement and the National Transportation Safety Board. No additional information is currently known.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the ninth fatal off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training of FY24 and the same number of fatalities for the same period last year.

 

 

PLR 24-091 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation

A 39-year-old Sergeant Major assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap on South Franklin Mountain, El Paso, Texas, at local. Two Soldiers were hiking when they reached the summit and started their descent. Soldier No. 1 ran out of water, began to feel faint, and sat down. while Soldier No. 2 ran to the bottom of the trail to get more water. When he returned, Soldier No. 1 was no longer there. Soldier No. 2 searched for Soldier No. 1 with no success. He then alerted authorities. The El Paso police and fire departments, state police and a mountain rescue team arrived and found Soldier No. 1 unresponsive, they pronounced Soldier No.1 dead at the scene.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the eighth fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

  • Use the buddy system. You and your companions should discuss a few things before you set out, like how strenuous a hike you're all OK with and your general itinerary.
  • Make an emergency plan. Before heading out, know how you will call or send for help in the unlikely event something bad happens. Remember, you may not have reliable cell service where you are hiking.
  • Drink and carry plenty of water (a minimum of one quart per person every two hours). Although stream, river and lake water may look clean, it can make you ill.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to help prevent injury.
  • Don’t walk off-trail. Cutting across switchbacks erodes the hillside and eventually destroys the trail. Plus, walking off-trail increases your chance of suffering an injury or getting lost.
  • Tell a responsible person back at camp or at home where you are going and when you plan on returning. Ask that person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return on time.
  • Never feed or touch wildlife. Do not approach or attempt to move sick or injured wildlife. Report any encounters with aggressive, sick or injured animals to a park ranger.

 

For more information, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/hiking.

 

 

PLR 24-085 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation
A 19-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Moore, Georgia, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 2 September 2024 in Columbus, Georgia, at 1400 local. The Solider dove from a bridge support 50 feet above the water and landed on his stomach. He swam to shore but was having difficulty breathing and lost consciousness. Local police responded and performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived. The Soldier was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later pronounced dead

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 fourth fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

From FY19-23, 36 Soldiers lost their lives in water-related mishaps, and another four suffered permanent total disabling injuries after diving into shallow waters.

Think Ahead
Once you’ve started your dive, you don’t have time to think. Know the depth of the water. Plan your dive path. Never dive where you don’t know the water depth or where there may be hidden obstructions.

Steer Up
When you dive down, you must be ready to steer up. As you enter the water, your arms must be extended over your head, hands flat and aiming up. Hold your head up and arch your back. This way, your whole body helps you steer up, away from the bottom. Plan a shallow dive, immediately steering up. Don’t try the straight vertical-entry dives you see in competition. These dives take a long time to slow down and must be done only after careful training and in pools designed for competitive diving.

Head and Hands Up
Your extended arms and hands not only help you to steer up to the surface, they can also protect your head. If a diver’s head hits bottom, major injury to the neck and spine can result. So always remember, head and hands up!

Control Your Dive
Sometimes divers lose control through improper use of their hands and arms. Practice holding your arms extended, hands flat and tipped up. Like learning to swim or ride a bicycle, you have to learn to make the right moves automatically. Carefully rehearse the proper diving technique before you dive.
 

 

PLR 24-084 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation

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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