COLD INJURY PREVENTION

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COLD INJURY PREVENTION

• Environmental Health
• 596-1062

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TYPES OF COLD WEATHER INJURIES

• Chilblains
• Immersion Foot
• Trench Foot
• Frost Bite
• Hypothermia

• Snow Blindness
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Dehydration
• Heat Exhaustion

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SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORS

• 1. Previous Cold Weather Injury
• 2. Rank Below E-4
• 3. Fatigue
• 4. Race and Geographic Origin
• 5. Nutrition 3000 to 4000 calories
• 6. Overactive or Immobile

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SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORSCont.

• 7. Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco
• 8. Exposed Situation Guard Duty, Sleeping
  Areas, Vehicles
• 9. Wind Velocity
• 10. Temperature of Exposure
• 11. Duration of Exposure

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USE OF ACRONYM C.O.L.D.

• A. C keep it clean
• B. O avoid overheating
• C. L wear it in loose layers.
• D. D keep it dry.

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CHILBLAINS

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

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CHILBLAINS1. Symptoms

• Pale and colorless
• Upon rewarming, red in color
• Hot, tender, and itchy
• Skin may blister

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CHILBLAINS2. First Aid

• Mild Case Warm and dry gently
• Severe Case Dry sterile dressing and protect
  from further exposure

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CHILBLAINS3. Prevention

• Protect exposed areas with adequate clothing
• Use the Buddy System

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TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT

• Results from prolonged exposure of skin to cold
  or wet conditions, usually at 50 degrees F or
  colder

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TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT1. Symptoms

• Cold toes and feet
• Swollen
• Discolored
• Waxy and numb
• Blisters may develop

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TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT2. First Aid

• Dry feet carefully
• Apply foot powder
• Clean and wrap loosely
• Do Not break blisters
• Evacuate to nearest medical facility

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TRENCH/IMMERSION FOOT3. Prevention

• Keep feet dry
• Avoid tight boots
• Exercise feet and legs
• Wear proper clothing

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FROSTBITE

• Freezing of tissue or moisture in the skin due to
  exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees F

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FROSTBITE1. Symptoms

• Loss of sensation or numb feeling
• Sudden blanching of the skin, followed by
  tingling feeling
• Redness of skin in light-skinned people Grayish
  color in dark-skinned people

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FROSTBITESymptoms cont.

• Blisters may develop 24-36 hours (superficial)
  12-30 (deep)
• Swelling or tender areas
• Loss of previous sensation of pain in affected
  areas
• Pale, yellowish, waxy looking skin
• Frozen tissue, solid to the touch

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FROSTBITE2. First Aid

• Protect injury from further cold
• Move casualty to warm area
• Warm affected area evenly with body heat
• Improve circulation by exercise
• Remove constricting clothing and jewelry
• Reassure the casualty

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FROSTBITEFirst Aid cont.

• Do Not rub the affected area with snow
• Do Not rewarm the affected area by massaging or
  exposing to open flame
• Do Not allow the casualty to walk if feet are
  frozen
• Do Not attempt to thaw seriously frozen areas

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FROSTBITE3. Prevention

• Eat properly and often
• Wear clothing properly
• Avoid direct skin exposure
• Do Not stay inactive for long periods
• Use the buddy system to check exposed areas

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HYPOTHERMIA

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

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HYPOTHERMIA1. Symptoms

• Pale skin
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Disoriented
• Slurred speech
• Stumbling
• Mind dimmed

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HYPOTHERMIASymptoms cont.

• Body slows down
• Exercise tires you quicker
• Casualty stops shivering
• Person wants to lay down and sleep
• Pulse is faint or undetectable
• Unconsciousness
• DEATH

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HYPOTHERMIA2. First Aid

• Rewarm body evenly and without delay
• Keep dry and protect from elements
• Give food and warm liquids to produce body heat
• Do not massage casualty
• Do not give casualty alcohol

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HYPOTHERMIAFirst Aid (Severe)

• Evacuate immediately
• Avoid further heat loss
• Handle gently
• Stabilize temperature

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HYPOTHERMIA3. Prevention

• Eat properly and often
• Dress in layers
• Drink plenty of water
• Stay physically fit
• Keep active
• Stay dry

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SNOW BLINDNESS

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

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SNOW BLINDNESS1. Symptoms

• Feeling of grit or sand in eyes
• Pain in and over the eyes
• Watering and redness of the eyes
• Headache

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SNOW BLINDNESS2. First Aid

• Instruct casualty not to move his/her eyes
• Protect eyes with bandages or sunglasses
• Seek medical attention

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SNOW BLINDNESS3. Prevention

• Wear sunglasses
• Use improvised sunglasses
• Dont wait until discomfort begins to wear
  sunglasses

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CARBON MONOXIDE

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

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CARBON MONOXIDE1. Symptoms

• Headache, nausea, dimmed vision, dizziness, and
  chest pain
• Symptoms may or may not give warning prior to
  collapse
• Skin turns cherry red

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CARBON MONOXIDE2. First Aid

• Move casualty to fresh air
• Artificial respiration if necessary
• Keep warm and allow the casualty to rest

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CARBON MONOXIDE3. Prevention

• Assure proper ventilation
• Dont use unvented engines or equipment
• Turn heaters off when not needed (during sleep)
  or provide fire guard

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Heat Exhaustion 1. Symptoms

• Mouth, tongue and throat become parched and dry.
• A feeling of general tiredness and weakness sets
  in.
• Muscle cramps
• Sudden loss of consciousness.

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Heat Exhaustion 2. First Aid

• Keep the victim warm, but loosen clothing
• Gradually feed the victim warm liquids
• They will need plenty of rest
• Get the victim to medical personnel as soon as
  possible

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Heat Exhaustion 3. Prevention

• Increase water intake
• Take off clothing in layers when working

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Dehydration1. Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Dark urine

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Dehydration2. First Aid

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

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Dehydration3. Prevention

• Increase water intake
• If urine is dark, more water is needed

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UNIFORM WEARMilitary Cold-Weather System
Principles

• INSULATE
• LAYER
• VENTILATE

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UNIFORM WEARExtended Cold-Weather Clothing System

• First Layer-Polypropylene undershirt and shorts
• Second Layer-Synthetic Fiber Pile shirt and
  polyester trouser liners
• Third Layer-Polyester field jacket liner and
  field trousers

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UNIFORM WEARCont.

• Fourth Layer-Windproof, waterproof parka and
  trousers
• Fifth Layer-Camouflage over whites

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REFERENCE MATERIAL

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