Exertional Heatstroke Support at the Acute Phase: Assessment of Professional Practices in the French Military Forces.

This article focuses on the theoretical knowledge and practical management of exertional heatstroke (EHS) among French military practitioners in relation to current gold-standard recommendations. EHS is a life-threatening condition characterized by neurological impairment and hyperthermia above 40 °C during intense physical activity, requiring rapid cooling and intrarectal temperature monitoring for optimal care. A survey of 84 French military physicians revealed that only 10.7% had perfect theoretical knowledge of EHS, while 42.9% demonstrated knowledge of optimal management; however, practical application was often suboptimal due to logistical challenges and the fact that first responders were frequently nurses or paramedics rather than physicians. The study highlights gaps in training, protocol quality, and field logistics, recommending enhanced education, updated protocols tailored for first responders, and improved preparation to ensure timely and effective cooling interventions.