COLD INJURY PREVENTIONCOLD INJURY PREVENTION

Environmental HealthEnvironmental Health

596-1062596-1062

TYPES OF COLD WEATHER TYPES OF COLD WEATHER INJURIESINJURIES

ChilblainsChilblains Immersion FootImmersion Foot Trench FootTrench Foot Frost BiteFrost Bite HypothermiaHypothermia

Snow BlindnessSnow Blindness Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide

PoisoningPoisoning DehydrationDehydration Heat ExhaustionHeat Exhaustion

SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORSSUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORS

1. Previous Cold Weather Injury1. Previous Cold Weather Injury

2. Rank Below E-42. Rank Below E-4

3. Fatigue3. Fatigue

4. Race and Geographic Origin4. Race and Geographic Origin

5. Nutrition: 3000 to 4000 calories5. Nutrition: 3000 to 4000 calories

6. Overactive or Immobile6. Overactive or Immobile

SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORSSUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORSCont.Cont.

7. Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco7. Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco

8. Exposed Situation: Guard Duty, 8. Exposed Situation: Guard Duty, Sleeping Areas, VehiclesSleeping Areas, Vehicles

9. Wind Velocity9. Wind Velocity

10. Temperature of Exposure10. Temperature of Exposure

11. Duration of Exposure11. Duration of Exposure

USE OF ACRONYM C.O.L.D.USE OF ACRONYM C.O.L.D.

A. C = keep it A. C = keep it cleanclean

B. O = avoid overheatingB. O = avoid overheating

C. L = wear it in loose layers.C. L = wear it in loose layers.

D. D = keep it D. D = keep it dry.dry.

CHILBLAINSCHILBLAINS

Inflammatory swelling or sore, usually Inflammatory swelling or sore, usually below 50 degrees F. with high below 50 degrees F. with high

humidity.humidity.

CHILBLAINSCHILBLAINS1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Pale and colorlessPale and colorless Upon rewarming, red in colorUpon rewarming, red in color Hot, tender, and itchyHot, tender, and itchy Skin may blisterSkin may blister

CHILBLAINSCHILBLAINS2. First Aid2. First Aid

Mild Case: Warm and dry gentlyMild Case: Warm and dry gently Severe Case: Dry sterile dressing and Severe Case: Dry sterile dressing and

protect from further exposureprotect from further exposure

CHILBLAINSCHILBLAINS3. Prevention3. Prevention

Protect exposed areas with adequate Protect exposed areas with adequate clothingclothing

Use the “Buddy System”Use the “Buddy System”

TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOTTRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT

Results from prolonged exposure of Results from prolonged exposure of skin to cold or wet conditions, skin to cold or wet conditions,

usually at 50 degrees F or colderusually at 50 degrees F or colder

TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOTTRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Cold toes and feetCold toes and feet SwollenSwollen DiscoloredDiscolored Waxy and numbWaxy and numb Blisters may developBlisters may develop

TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOTTRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT2. First Aid2. First Aid

Dry feet carefullyDry feet carefully Apply foot powderApply foot powder Clean and wrap looselyClean and wrap loosely Do Not break blistersDo Not break blisters Evacuate to nearest medical facilityEvacuate to nearest medical facility

TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOTTRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT3. Prevention3. Prevention

Keep feet dryKeep feet dry Avoid tight bootsAvoid tight boots Exercise feet and legsExercise feet and legs Wear proper clothingWear proper clothing

FROSTBITEFROSTBITE

Freezing of tissue or moisture in the Freezing of tissue or moisture in the skin due to exposure to skin due to exposure to

temperatures below 32 degrees Ftemperatures below 32 degrees F

FROSTBITEFROSTBITE1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Loss of sensation or numb feelingLoss of sensation or numb feeling Sudden blanching of the skin, followed Sudden blanching of the skin, followed

by tingling feelingby tingling feeling Redness of skin in light-skinned people Redness of skin in light-skinned people

Grayish color in dark-skinned peopleGrayish color in dark-skinned people

FROSTBITEFROSTBITESymptoms cont.Symptoms cont.

Blisters may develop: 24-36 hours Blisters may develop: 24-36 hours (superficial) 12-30 (deep)(superficial) 12-30 (deep)

Swelling or tender areasSwelling or tender areas Loss of previous sensation of pain in Loss of previous sensation of pain in

affected areasaffected areas Pale, yellowish, waxy looking skinPale, yellowish, waxy looking skin Frozen tissue, solid to the touchFrozen tissue, solid to the touch

FROSTBITEFROSTBITE2. First Aid2. First Aid

Protect injury from further coldProtect injury from further cold Move casualty to warm areaMove casualty to warm area Warm affected area evenly with body Warm affected area evenly with body

heatheat Improve circulation by exerciseImprove circulation by exercise Remove constricting clothing and jewelryRemove constricting clothing and jewelry Reassure the casualtyReassure the casualty

FROSTBITEFROSTBITEFirst Aid cont.First Aid cont.

Do Not rub the affected area with snowDo Not rub the affected area with snow Do Not rewarm the affected area by Do Not rewarm the affected area by

massaging or exposing to open flamemassaging or exposing to open flame Do Not allow the casualty to walk if feet Do Not allow the casualty to walk if feet

are frozenare frozen Do Not attempt to thaw seriously frozen Do Not attempt to thaw seriously frozen

areasareas

FROSTBITEFROSTBITE3. Prevention3. Prevention

Eat properly and oftenEat properly and often Wear clothing properlyWear clothing properly Avoid direct Avoid direct skin exposureskin exposure Do Not stay inactive for long periodsDo Not stay inactive for long periods Use the “buddy system” to check Use the “buddy system” to check

exposed areasexposed areas

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA

Medical term for lowered core body Medical term for lowered core body temperature, caused by exposure to temperature, caused by exposure to cold. Aggravated by wet conditions.cold. Aggravated by wet conditions.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Pale skinPale skin DizzinessDizziness DrowsinessDrowsiness DisorientedDisoriented Slurred speechSlurred speech StumblingStumbling Mind dimmedMind dimmed

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIASymptoms cont.Symptoms cont.

Body slows downBody slows down Exercise tires you quickerExercise tires you quicker Casualty stops shiveringCasualty stops shivering Person wants to lay down and sleepPerson wants to lay down and sleep Pulse is faint or undetectablePulse is faint or undetectable UnconsciousnessUnconsciousness DEATHDEATH

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA2. First Aid2. First Aid

Rewarm body evenly and without delayRewarm body evenly and without delay Keep dry and protect from elementsKeep dry and protect from elements Give food and warm liquids to produce Give food and warm liquids to produce

body heatbody heat Do not massage casualtyDo not massage casualty Do not give casualty alcoholDo not give casualty alcohol

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIAFirst Aid (Severe)First Aid (Severe)

Evacuate immediatelyEvacuate immediately Avoid further heat lossAvoid further heat loss Handle gentlyHandle gently Stabilize temperatureStabilize temperature

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA3. Prevention3. Prevention

Eat properly and oftenEat properly and often Dress in layersDress in layers Drink plenty of waterDrink plenty of water Stay physically fitStay physically fit Keep activeKeep active Stay dryStay dry

SNOW BLINDNESSSNOW BLINDNESS

Inflammation and sensitivity caused by Inflammation and sensitivity caused by exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet light rays reflected by the snow or light rays reflected by the snow or

iceice

SNOW BLINDNESSSNOW BLINDNESS1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Feeling of grit or sand in eyesFeeling of grit or sand in eyes Pain in and over the eyesPain in and over the eyes Watering and redness of the eyesWatering and redness of the eyes HeadacheHeadache

SNOW BLINDNESSSNOW BLINDNESS2. First Aid2. First Aid

Instruct casualty not to move his/her Instruct casualty not to move his/her eyeseyes

Protect eyes with bandages or Protect eyes with bandages or sunglassessunglasses

Seek medical attentionSeek medical attention

SNOW BLINDNESSSNOW BLINDNESS3. Prevention3. Prevention

Wear sunglassesWear sunglasses Use improvised sunglassesUse improvised sunglasses Don’t wait until discomfort begins to Don’t wait until discomfort begins to

wear sunglasseswear sunglasses

CARBON MONOXIDECARBON MONOXIDE

Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Created by incomplete combustion.Created by incomplete combustion.

CARBON MONOXIDECARBON MONOXIDE1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Headache, nausea, dimmed vision, Headache, nausea, dimmed vision, dizziness, and chest paindizziness, and chest pain

Symptoms may or may not give warning Symptoms may or may not give warning prior to collapseprior to collapse

Skin turns cherry redSkin turns cherry red

CARBON MONOXIDECARBON MONOXIDE2. First Aid2. First Aid

Move casualty to fresh airMove casualty to fresh air Artificial respiration if necessaryArtificial respiration if necessary Keep warm and allow the casualty to Keep warm and allow the casualty to

restrest

CARBON MONOXIDECARBON MONOXIDE3. Prevention3. Prevention

Assure proper Assure proper ventilationventilation Don’t use unvented engines or Don’t use unvented engines or

equipmentequipment Turn heaters off when not needed Turn heaters off when not needed

(during sleep) or provide fire guard(during sleep) or provide fire guard

Heat Exhaustion Heat Exhaustion 1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

Mouth, tongue and throat become Mouth, tongue and throat become parched and dry.parched and dry.

A feeling of general tiredness and A feeling of general tiredness and weakness sets in.weakness sets in.

Muscle crampsMuscle cramps Sudden loss of consciousness.Sudden loss of consciousness.

Heat Exhaustion Heat Exhaustion 2. First Aid2. First Aid

Keep the victim warm, but loosen Keep the victim warm, but loosen clothingclothing

Gradually feed the victim warm liquidsGradually feed the victim warm liquids They will need plenty of restThey will need plenty of rest Get the victim to medical personnel as Get the victim to medical personnel as

soon as possiblesoon as possible

Heat Exhaustion Heat Exhaustion 3. Prevention3. Prevention

Increase water intakeIncrease water intake Take off clothing in layers when workingTake off clothing in layers when working

DehydrationDehydration1. Symptoms1. Symptoms

FatigueFatigue Dark urineDark urine

DehydrationDehydration2. First Aid2. First Aid

Take casualty to cool, shaded areaTake casualty to cool, shaded area Have casualty drink water in small sipsHave casualty drink water in small sips

DehydrationDehydration3. Prevention3. Prevention

Increase water intakeIncrease water intake If urine is dark, more water is neededIf urine is dark, more water is needed

UNIFORM WEARUNIFORM WEARMilitary Cold-Weather System PrinciplesMilitary Cold-Weather System Principles

INSULATEINSULATE LAYERLAYER

VENTILATEVENTILATE

UNIFORM WEARUNIFORM WEARExtended Cold-Weather Clothing SystemExtended Cold-Weather Clothing System

First Layer-Polypropylene undershirt First Layer-Polypropylene undershirt and shortsand shorts

Second Layer-Synthetic Fiber Pile shirt Second Layer-Synthetic Fiber Pile shirt and polyester trouser linersand polyester trouser liners

Third Layer-Polyester field jacket liner Third Layer-Polyester field jacket liner and field trousersand field trousers

UNIFORM WEARUNIFORM WEARCont.Cont.

Fourth Layer-Windproof, waterproof Fourth Layer-Windproof, waterproof parka and trousersparka and trousers

Fifth Layer-Camouflage over whitesFifth Layer-Camouflage over whites

REFERENCE MATERIALREFERENCE MATERIAL

AR 40-5AR 40-5 TB MED 508TB MED 508 TC 21-3TC 21-3 FM 21-10FM 21-10 FM 21-11FM 21-11