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)
Previous CWI
Race
Geological Origin
Ambient Temperature
Wind Chill Factor
Type of Mission
Terrain
Nutrition
Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco |
Clothing
Moisture
Dehydration
Age
Fatigue
Other Injury
Discipline
Activity
Sharp Changes in Weather |
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.
|
CAUSES: Heat loss exceeds heat production |
| |
Wind/water chill
Radiation--heat like light
Conduction--sitting on cold surface--handling cold objects
Convection--wind/water
Evaporation--wet clothing
Respiration--breathing cold air |
|
Symptoms:
|
| |
Intense shivering
Feeling of deep/cold numbness
Muscle tensing
Fatigue
Poor coordination
Disorientation |
Blueness of skin
Slow, weak, irregular pulse
Slurred speech
Retreat inward psychologically
Dullness
Apathy |
|
Treatment:
|
|
|
Immediately raise body temperature
Shelter from wind and weather
Insulate from ground
Replace wet clothing with dry
Increase exercise if possible
Give hot drinks and food
Get in warm sleeping bag
Shared body warmth
Hot packs/hand warmers under armpits and groin area
|
DEHYDRATION
Cause:
Not consuming as much water as
the
body uses
|
Symptoms of normal dehydration: |
Higher temperature
Poor skin tugor
Upset stomach
Dizziness |
Weakness
Confusion
Dryness of mouth and throat
Difficulty swallowing |
Cold weather
dehydration can lead to total body core cooling.
TRENCH
FOOT
|
Cause: |
Exposure to wet and cold around freezing |
|
Symptoms:
|
Feet and toes are pale and numb, cold, and stiff |
|
NOTE: |
If preventive action not taken at this stage feet will
swell and become painful!
|
|
Treatment: |
Do NOT rub or massage |
| |
Clean carefully with soap and water if indoors
Dry, elevate, and expose to room temperature
Stay off feet and replace socks |
IMMERSION FOOT
|
Cause:
|
Prolonged immersion in cold water < 50 F or in wet
footwear > 12 hours. Aching and stinging
pain on prolonged exposure. Initially no unusual |
|
Symptoms:
|
Sensations of pain. Shin becomes shriveled and soft. |
|
NOTE: |
Handle gently--same as trench 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.
|
SYMPTOMS: |
First degree: |
Aching,
tingling sensation with cold and numbness. Skin usually turns red.
|
| |
Second degree: |
Pale grey and waxy
white. |
| |
Third degree: |
Black--no feeling no blood
flow |
|
TREATMENT:
|
Handle gently--same as
trench foot. DO NOT use water to warm affected areas. |
|
CHEEKS:
|
Cover with warm
hands until pain returns |
|
FINGERS:
|
Place uncovered
under arm pits or belly next to skin. |
|
FEET:
|
Bare feet against
belly of companion, under clothing avoid rubbing or massaging. Don’t pop
blisters! |
|
CLOTHING:
|
DRY, and proper for
weather. |
|
EXERCISE:
|
Routine exercise of
face, fingers, and toes. |
Cold-Weather Injuries - Unnecessary
Casualties
Military plans to prevent cold-weather injuries, such as frostbite, chilblain, and hypothermia.
Establish a cold-weather policy and enforce it. Make sure your plan includes the following:
- 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
Cold weather accidents are preventable this winter and every winter.
- Plan ahead
- Take steps to minimize the dangers involved when using heating systems and fuels
- Don’t take chances-use extreme caution in driving, walking, and sports
Wind Chill Chart
