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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

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 23-092 – On-Duty Sports, Recreations and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation
A 38-year-old Specialist assigned to the Army National Guard, North Riverside, Illinois, on drill status, died in an on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 11 August 2023 on Camp Shelby, Mississippi, at 1002 local. After completing the 2-mile run event of the Army Combat Fitness Test, the Soldier collapsed on the side of the track. Onsite medics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until emergency medical services arrived. The Soldier was transported to the local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the second on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY23 and below the number of on-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.
 

 

 

 

PLR 23-085 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreations and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation
A 20-year-old Private assigned to Fort Cavazos, Texas, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 3 August 2023 near Belton, Texas, at 1750 local. While swimming at Belton Lake in the vicinity of Morgan’s Point Resort with four other Soldiers, the Soldier went underwater and did not resurface. The other Soldiers contacted the Bell County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD). The Morgan’s Point Resort Police Department (MPRPD) dive team began search-and-rescue efforts. The Criminal Investigation Division was notified and initiated a joint investigation with BCSD. The dive team recovered the Soldier’s body the following morning.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This was the fifth off-duty water-related mishap of FY23 and above the number of off-duty water-related fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tips

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 underwater in a murky lake, making them very hard to find, or be swept away in currents.
 
  • Swim in a life-guarded area, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.

  • Be cautious of sudden drop-offs 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.

  • For more information, please visit https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Sports-and-Recreation/Water-Safety.

 

 

PLR 23-071 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreations and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 7 July 2023 in Neptune City, New Jersey, at 1800 local. While on leave, the Soldier was swimming 30 meters offshore with four friends when he suddenly submerged without notice. Local police were contacted and retrieved the Soldier after being underwater for 20 minutes. The police started CPR, established a heartbeat and transported him to the local hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator. The Soldier was removed from life support and died 11 July 2023. Alcohol and drug use is currently unknown.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This mishap was the third off-duty water-related fatality of FY23.

Safety tip

Swimming in lakes, rivers and oceans
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 underwater in a murky lake, making them very 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 drop-offs 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.

  • 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-2023.

 

 

PLR 23-068 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreations and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 36-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to United States Army South died in an off-duty water-related mishap 3 July 2023 in San Antonio, Texas, at 0930 local. A group of Soldiers was fishing on Calaveras Lake in a privately owned boat when the operator turned the boat to maneuver to another fishing site. While turning, another Soldier stood up and fell into the lake. He treaded water briefly and began to call for help. The Soldier operating the boat stopped and entered the water to assist but was unable to rescue the other Soldier. The two other Soldiers remained in the boat and moved to shore. At 0935, nearby civilians notified 911. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, San Antonio Fire Department, game warden and emergency medical technicians with helicopter support initiated search-and-rescue efforts. The Soldier’s body was recovered the next day.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This mishap was the second off-duty water-related mishap of FY23

Safety tip

Safety tips to prevent an overboard mishap
One of the most common causes of an overboard and subsequently drowning is an onboard member standing in an unsecured position and falls over the side of the boat.
 
  • Prepare for emergency situations beforehand. Overboard victims face a number of dangers, including panic, injury during the fall, and hypothermia. For those aboard the boat, quick thinking and coordinated action are essential to an effective rescue.

  • While on board you should always strive to have three points of contact with the boat.

  • This means, you should have both feet planted and
  • holding on with at least one hand.

  • If you are moving about, hold on with both hands to something firm like a grab rail or stanchion and take one step at a time.

  • If seated, have your feet touching the floor or holding on with both hands.

  • Having three points of contact assures that your body is positioned in such a way that the majority of your body is in contact with the boat, and you won't be set off-balance easily.

  • Avoid standing and sudden movements whenever operating your boat and plan ahead to avoid unsafe operating and environmental conditions like bad weather or rough water.

  • If the boat is in operation while standing, assure solid footing and brace yourself if it has a leaning post or bolster chair.

  • Always wear your engine cut-off lanyard so that the engine stops if you go overboard.

  • Before departing on your boat venture, ensure everyone on board knows where the life-saving gear is located and how to use it.


Life jacket safety
A life jacket (or personal flotation device - PFD) is the single most important piece of equipment on your boat. More than two-thirds of all boating fatalities are drowning incidents and 90% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.
 
  • There should be at least one life jacket for each person aboard.

  • Life jackets should be properly sized for each person aboard.

  • Selecting a proper life jacket and wearing it is the best thing a boater can do to ensure a safe and enjoyable day on the water. A hang tag with important information will accompany each new life jacket.

  • Children under a certain age are required to wear their life jacket (typically under 13 – see state requirements).

  • Participants engaged in certain water sports are required to wear a life jacket (typically skiing and personal watercraft operation – see state requirements).

  • These life jackets should be readily accessible and not in an out-of-reach location or in original packaging.

  • If throwable devices are on board, they should be immediately available for use.

  • A life jacket should be viewed as an investment. You should care for it like you would anything else aboard that depends on proper function, with the exception this one could save your life!

 

 

PLR 23-062 – Off-Duty Sports, Recreations and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

An Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Fort Carson, Colorado, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 16 June 2023 in Buena Vista, Colorado, at 1430 local. The Soldier was floating on an innertube on the Arkansas River when he was swept away by fast-moving waters. The conditions or circumstances surrounding the mishap sequence are unknown. The Soldier was found unresponsive approximately two miles downstream. Emergency medical services personnel performed lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful in resuscitating the Soldier. Local law enforcement and Army CID are investigating the mishap.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This was the second off-duty water-related mishap of FY23 and less than the number of off-duty water-related fatalities from this time last year.
 

 

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