COLD WEATHER INJURY PREVENTION

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COLD WEATHER INJURY PREVENTION
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INTRODUCTION

• While cold makes military tasks more difficult,
  it does not make them impossible.
• Viewing cold as a challenge to be overcome is the
  key to the positive attitude required to
  successfully complete the mission.
• ALL COLD WEATHER INJURIES ARE PREVENTABLE!!!

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OUTLINE

• Types of Cold
• Heat Loss
• Susceptibility Factors
• Types of Cold Weather Injuries/Treatment
• Prevention Techniques

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TYPES OF COLD

• Wet
• down to 14 degrees F
• Dry
• below 14 degrees F
• Heat Loss
• Convection Radiation
• Conduction Respiration
• Evaporation

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SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORS

• Previous cold weather injury
• Inadequate nutrition
• Dehydration
• Overactivity
• Underactivity
• Long exposure to the cold

• Sick or injured
• Acclimatization
• Ethnic/geographic origin
• Wind
• Age
• Discipline
• Physical stamina

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SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORSThe Typical Cold Injury
Casualty

• Male
• E-4 or below
• Approximately 20 years old
• From a warm climate
• Less than 18 months time in service
• Uses tobacco, alcohol or medications
• Neglects proper foot care

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BASIC RULES

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Keep in shape
• Get plenty of rest
• Maintain a positive attitude

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CLOTHING PRINCIPLES

• INSULATE
• CLEAN
• LOOSE AND LAYERED
• VENTILATION
• DRY

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CHILBLAINS

• Temperatures above freezing with high humidity
  32-60 degrees.
• Red and swollen, hot and itchy during recovery.
• Ears, nose, fingers and toes.
• Keep exposed areas covered and dry.
• Rewarm affected parts, seek medical aid.
• Continued exposure could lead to infection.

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CHILBLAINS

• Treatment
• apply body heat with firm, steady pressure.
• dont massage or rub.
• Prevention
• wear uniform properly.
• cover exposed skin.
• stay dry.

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IMMERSION SYNDROME(Trench foot/ Immersion foot)

• Signs and Symptoms
• prolonged exposure to wet cold below 50 degrees.
• cold, swollen, discolored, waxy and numb toes and
  feet.
• red, swollen, tingling and hot after warming.
• blisters may develop.
• skin turns red, bluish then black.

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IMMERSION SYNDROME(Trench foot/ Immersion foot)

• Contributing Factors
• immersing feet in cold water.
• not changing socks frequently.
• standing in wet defensive positions.
• poor hygiene.

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IMMERSION SYNDROME(Trench foot/ Immersion foot)

• First Aid
• get to warm area.
• dry feet carefully.
• powder feet.
• clean socks and dry boots.
• DO NOT break blisters.
• wrap loosely.
• elevate above head, if possible.
• seek medical aid - evacuate.

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IMMERSION SYNDROME(Trench foot/ Immersion foot)

• Prevention
• keep feet dry.
• change socks at least every 8 hours or whenever
  wet and apply powder.
• bring extra boots to field.
• no blousing bands.
• report all suspected cases to leadership.

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FROSTBITE

• Occurs when a part of the body freezes or
  partially freezes due to exposure to very low
  temperatures.
• Superficial - involves only the skin and
  occasionally the layer immediately below.
• Deep - extends beyond these layers and may
  include the bone.

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FROSTBITE

• Signs and symptoms
• tingling, stinging sensation.
• redness or grayness of skin.
• numbness/loss of feeling.
• pale, yellow, waxy looking skin.
• frozen area feels solid to the touch.
• swollen.
• blisters may develop.

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FROSTBITE

• Contributing Factors
• dehydration.
• below freezing temperatures.
• wind chill.
• contact with supercold metals or petroleum.
• Neglect.
• tobacco use.

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FROSTBITE

• First Aid
• remove from cold and prevent further heat loss.
• place bare feet against belly of a buddy to warm
  until pain returns.
• DO NOT massage affected parts or rub with snow.
• place hands in armpits to warm until pain
  returns.
• when skin thaws it hurts!!

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FROSTBITE

• Prevention
• wear uniform properly - not tight fitting.
• keep socks and clothing dry (use wet weather
  bag).
• protect yourself from wind.
• drink hot fluids and eat often.

• use mittens versus gloves.
• keep moving.
• insulate yourself from the ground.
• buddy system.
• seek medical aid for all suspected cases.

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HYPOTHERMIA

• Results from a drop in the core body temperature
  - MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
• 98.6-95 degrees - slowing pace or fatigue,
  uncontrolled fits of shivering, poor
  coordination.
• 95-91 degrees - stumbling, thickness of speech,
  poor judgment, feeling of deep cold or numbness,
  shivering persists, amnesia begins.

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HYPOTHERMIA

• 91-86 degrees - decrease in shivering, stiffening
  of muscles, disorientation, irrationality,
  hallucinations/exhaustion.
• 86-81 degrees - bluishness of skin, decreased
  heart and respiratory rate, weak and irregular
  pulse, dilation of pupils.

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HYPOTHERMIA

• 81-78 degrees - unconsciousness, most reflexes
  cease, does not respond to spoken word, heartbeat
  erratic.
• Below 78 degrees - probable edema and hemorrhage
  in lungs, cardiac fibrillation, death.

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HYPOTHERMIA

• Contributing Factors
• dehydration.
• not using proper clothing.
• poor nutrition.
• fatigue.
• cold water immersion.
• wind chill.

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HYPOTHERMIA

• First Aid
• place in sheltered area/ remove wet clothing.
• raise the body temperature to above 94 degrees by
  slow rewarming or use of anothers body heat.
• rapid warming may cause shock.
• warm, sweet liquids if conscious.
• NO alcohol or tobacco.
• seek immediate medical aid - evacuate.

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HYPOTHERMIA

• Prevention
• proper wear of the uniform - cover head and neck.
• proper soldier conditioning.
• limiting exposure and staying dry.
• warming shelters.
• warm liquids (noncaffeinated).
• adequate nutrition and rest.

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SUNBURN

• Burning of the skin due to overexposure to the
  sun and ultraviolet light.
• Symptoms - painful, red skin with possible
  blisters.
• Contributing factors - fair skin, light or thin
  hair, exposed skin.
• Prevention - cover exposed skin with
  clothing/sunscreen (nose and ears).

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CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

• A colorless, odorless gas resulting from
  incomplete combustion
• Signs and symptoms
• headaches
• dizziness
• weakness
• ringing in ears
• nausea
• blue lips and finger nail beds

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CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

• First Aid
• stay calm
• move to fresh air immediately
• seek medical aid promptly
• provide artificial resuscitation for an
  unconscious victim

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CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

• Prevention
• never sleep in a vehicle with engine running.
• do not wrap poncho or blanket around exhaust to
  collect heat.
• ensure heated tents are properly ventilated and
  fire guards are posted.

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SNOW BLINDNESS

• Painful inflammation of the eyes caused by
  ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• Signs and symptoms
• gritty feeling in eyes.
• redness and tearing.
• movement will cause pain.

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SNOW BLINDNESS

• First Aid
• remove from sunlight.
• blindfold both eyes.
• if blindfolding is not feasible, use dark
  sunglasses or bandages with pinholes cut in them.
• seek medical aid immediately.

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SNOW BLINDNESS

• Prevention
• sunglasses with side shades or goggles.
• field expedient sunglasses.
• do not wait for discomfort to begin.

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DEHYDRATION

• Loss of body fluids to the point of slowing or
  preventing normal body functions.
• Very easy to become dehydrated in cold weather
  soldiers do not drink enough water.
• Increases chance of becoming a cold weather
  casualty, especially hypothermia.

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DEHYDRATION

• Signs and symptoms
• dark urine
• constipation
• lack of energy
• weakness
• nausea

• chapped lips
• dry mouth
• rapid heart rate
• headache
• lack of appetite

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DEHYDRATION

• First Aid
• warm liquids (noncaffeinated)
• do not eat snow
• Prevention
• drink minimum of 3 canteens of water daily
• monitor urine color
• do not wait until you are thirsty
• drink hot liquids for warmth - avoid caffeine

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OTHER PREVENTION TECHNIQUES

• Command emphasis on education and training.
• Appropriate use of weather data, especially the
  wind-chill factor.
• Liberal use of sick call.
• Providing time and locations for thorough warming
  and clothing changes.
• Teaching soldiers prevention, detection and
  treatment for cold weather injuries.

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PERSONAL HYGIENE

• If you have to choose, consume water instead of
  bathing in it.
• Use snow to dry wash body.
• Change socks often.
• Brush teeth daily.
• Change underwear at least twice weekly.
• Keep clothes clean.
• Shave at night.

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NUTRITION

• Heat and energy are produced from the food we
  eat.
• Calories needed
• moderate exertion - 4500 calories
• extreme exertion - 8000 calories
• 3 MREs 3600 calories
• Arctic ration 4000-5000 calories
• Plan for hot chow, or heat MRE

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NUTRITION

• Carry snacks - carbohydrates
• Carry emergency rations
• Heat food
• Avoid eating vegetation
• Consume minimum of 3000-4000 calories per day

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NUTRITION - LIQUIDS

• 3-4 quarts of water per day
• Avoid caffeine
• Hot juice or soup
• Protect water from freezing
• Purify water before consumption
• Allow extra time
• Avoid alcohol

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SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT TIPS

• Change wet clothes when possible.
• Change socks at least every 8 hours.
• Get out of wind.
• Take off or loosen clothing when sleeping.
• Keep socks and boots under or in your sleeping
  bag when sleeping.
• Keep sleeping area well ventilated.
• No facial camouflage below 32 degrees.

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SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT TIPS

• Relieve yourself before going to sleep.
• Eat something prior to sleeping.
• Ensure adequate ventilation in vehicle.
• Never sleep with engine running.
• DO NOT use rubber material to cover yourself.
• Use buddy system.
• Keep moving.

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CONCLUSION

• Demonstration of proper wear of cold weather
  uniform.
• Discussion of unit Cold Weather Injury Prevention
  SOP.
• Questions?