Heat Safety: How WBGT Monitoring Saves Lives in Military Training

Military training and operations happen all year round, whether it be in the scorching heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter. In hot and humid conditions, heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion pose serious risk for trainees. Kestrel Instruments Heat Stress Trackers and the Kestrel Heat Stress Flag Kit equip leaders with the tools required to ensure personnel safety.

Optimize Military Training Performance & Ensure Safety in the Toughest Environments 

Health.mil states, "In 2021, there were 488 incident cases of heat stroke and 1,864 incident cases of heat exhaustion among active component service members." (2022).

The Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker is your indispensable tool for monitoring environmental conditions and ensuring the safety and well-being of your military personnel in training and operations. The Kestrel 5400 empowers you to implement preventive measures, adjust work schedules, and provide appropriate protective equipment, ensuring the well-being of your team and minimizing heat-related incidents. Designed to withstand the harshest environments, this advanced WBGT monitor empowers you to make informed decisions, enhance safety, and maximize performance. 

Key features and benefits include:

• Accurate, waterless WBGT heat stress monitoring
• Real-time data display, and LiNK Bluetooth wireless connectivity allows users to take proactive measures to prevent heat-related injuries.
• The 5400 comes with pre-programmed WBGT military zones, allowing quick identification of safe, cautionary, and dangerous heat stress conditions, enabling timely decisions to safeguard military personnel during training and operations.
Built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, the Kestrel 5400 is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance.
• Backed by a 5-year warranty, its durable construction ensures reliable performance in extreme temperatures, high humidity, and challenging terrains, guaranteeing the device remains operational when it matters most. 


Accurate WBGT & Environmental Monitoring for Heat Safety

The Kestrel 5400 measures environmental parameters such as Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), heat stress index, crosswind, and headwind/tailwind, making it an excellent tool to determine safe working and performance conditions for personnel. The Kestrel 5400 has a built-in globe temperature sensor that ensures accurate readings and gives a measure of acclimatization time, allowing command to make informed decisions concerning the welfare of their personnel.

“For those who work and train outdoors, it's essential to understand the risk of strenuous activity, heat and humidity to physical health. This is why each unit on Fort Gordon should track these factors and be prepared to raise awareness of dangerous conditions before they happen.

“For those who work and train outdoors, it's essential to understand the risk of strenuous activity, heat and humidity to physical health. This is why each unit on Fort Gordon should track these factors and be prepared to raise awareness of dangerous conditions before they happen.

Eisenhower Army Medical Center's Environmental Health department regularly measures these conditions with a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature device which takes a measurement of the heat stress in direct sunlight, taking into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas. If you train, work or exercise in direct sunlight, this is the proper element to monitor weather conditions.”

WBGT aids safe work, training, exercise; sets flag conditions
By Capt. Matthew Frickey

Versatile Deployment Options

Whether in the field, on a mission, or during training exercises, the compact and lightweight design of the Kestrel 5400 makes it a versatile tool for any military operation. Its long battery life ensures uninterrupted operation, while its intuitive interface guarantees easy and efficient use by all personnel. Equip your military units with the Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker and gain a competitive edge by optimizing performance, improving safety, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. Stay one step ahead of heat stress risks and make informed decisions in real-time. Trust in the Kestrel 5400 to help you protect your personnel and achieve mission success. 

The Kestrel Heat Stress Flag Kit

The Kestrel Heat Stress Flag Kit is the perfect complement to the 5400 Heat Stress Tracker. The Kestrel Heat Stress Flag Kit is designed to help military personnel stay safe in hot weather conditions while training or conducting operations. The kit includes a 6'4" telescopic flagpole, ground stake, six 2'x3' Heat Stress zone flags in colors white, green, yellow, orange, red, and black, and a portable travel bag. With this kit, you will have everything you need to convey current WBGT heat stress zones and prevent heat-related illness in both personnel and equipment. The included bag can also fit your Kestrel 5400 WBGT Heat Stress Tracker (HST) & Weather Meter and a standard tripod. The Heat Stress Flag Kit is adjustable based on the current heat levels. The six-zone flags represent varying levels of heat stress from safe (white) to extreme conditions (black). Green and yellow indicate caution, while orange and red show dangerous heat levels. When the black flag is raised, it signifies that all non-essential outdoor activities must cease except for emergency response.



When it comes to military training and operations in high-temperature environments, safety is a top priority. The Heat Stress Flag Kit and Kestrel 5400 are designed to help keep personnel safe by providing accurate measurements of environmental conditions and displaying them visibly. With this equipment, leaders can make informed decisions regarding the safety of their personnel and ensure mission readiness. We understand the importance of keeping our troops safe and ready for any mission, and that's why we offer equipment designed to withstand the harshest environments while providing reliable data.

*(2022, April 1). Heat Illness, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2021. Health.mil. https://health.mil/News/Articles/2022/04/01/Update-Ht-MSMR