Cold Weather Issues

Military recommendations to prevent cold- weather injuries.

Weather, state of the atmosphere at a given time and place with regard to temperature, air pressure (see barometer), wind, humidity, cloudiness, and precipitation. The term weather is restricted to conditions over short periods of time; conditions over long periods, generally at least 30–50 years, are referred to as climate.
The earliest evidence of scientific activity in the field of meteorology, the study of the earth's atmosphere, especially as it relates to weather forecasting, is from the 4th century B.C. Aristotle wrote what is probably the first treatise on the subject. The first attempt to chart weather from reports over a considerable area was made (1820) in Europe by H. W. Brandes, but it was not until after the invention of the telegraph that the rapid collection of weather data from remote stations became possible.
Cold, arctic, chilly, cool, frigid, frosty, gelid, glacial, icy. These adjectives mean marked by a low or an extremely low temperature: cold air; an arctic climate; a chilly day; cool water; a frigid room; a frosty morning; gelid seas; glacial winds; icy hands.

Wet Cold
Wet-cold conditions occur where variations in day and night temperatures cause alternate freezing and thawing. These conditions are often accompanied by wet snow and rain causing the ground to become slushy and muddy. Wet cold requires clothing with a waterproof or water-repellent, wind- resistant outer layer, and an insulated inner layer sufficient for moderately cold weather of 14°F and above. Waterproof footwear is essential.

Dry Cold
Dry-cold conditions occur when average temperatures are lower than 14° F. The ground is usually frozen and the snow dry. These low temperatures and wind increase the need to protect the entire body. Dry cold requires layered clothing that insulates against a wind-chill. The inner layers of insulation must be protected by a water-repellent, wind-resistant outer layer.

Intense Cold
Intense cold air temperatures ( -5 to -25°F) are in the range where materials begin to change, adversely affecting operations. Fuels gel, back blast areas triple, artillery fires drop 100 per 1000 meters, water in containers freezes quickly. Appropriate protective clothing is required.

Extreme Cold
Extreme cold (below -25° F) inhibits full-scale combat. Special fuels and lubricants are required, rubber becomes stiff and brittle, and close tolerances are affected. Operator personnel must have special protection from the elements.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE COLD WEATHER INJURIES (CWI)

PREVENTION OF COLD WEATHER INJURIES

HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia is when your body’s heat loss exceeds the rate that your body can produce it. Your body can produce only a limited amount of heat to keep yourself warm. When your body is producing as much heat as it can and your body temperature is still lowering, you are suffering from hypothermia. Hypothermia can occur no matter what the temperature is. It is important to know the symptoms and treatment for hypothermia.

DEHYDRATION

Cause: Not consuming as much water as the body uses

Cold weather dehydration can lead to total body core cooling.

TRENCH FOOT

IMMERSION FOOT

FROSTBITE
Cause: Freezing of skin or tissues due to exposure to temperatures at or below freezing.

Commonly by exposure to liquids that freeze at low temperatures such as gasoline, cleaning solvents, and salt water, or high velocity wind flow or metal surfaces.

EXPOSURE CAN OCCUR IN MINUTES!
Wind or contact with wet clothing may produce an effective temp in freezing range when air temperature is above freezing.

Cold-Weather Injuries - Unnecessary Casualties

• Enforce the buddy system
• Never allow a soldier to wear wet clothing unnecessarily
• Require soldiers to change socks regularly
• Enforce the hydration requirement; make sure your soldiers drink water on a recurring basis
• Never allow soldiers to sleep in vehicles with engines running or in confined areas with portable heaters going
• Require fire guards in sleeping areas