COLD ENVIRONMENT

Cold Weather Safety

 The short answer is yes. Both very cold and very hot
temperatures could be dangerous to your health.
Is th er e a te mp er atu re at wh ich wor kb e co me s d an ge r ou s and sh o uld b e sto p pe d ?

Excessive exposure to heat is referred to as heat stress

and excessive exposure to cold is referred to as cold stress.
At very cold temperatures, the most serious concern is
the risk of hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the
body.
Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or
freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes,
nose and ear lobes.
Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of
immediate medical attention.
Historical Information
Results of Cold Weather Injuries
Napoleon and Hitler both lost Russia due to Cold
Weather Injuries.

In the Korean War

8,000 cold weather casualties.

4
5 Methods of Heat Loss
Evaporation
 Evaporation
Convection
 Convection
Conduction
 Conduction
Radiation
 Radiation
Respiration
 Respiration

5
5 Methods of Heat Loss
Evaporation––Method
Evaporation Method11
Body heat turns liquid into
Body heat turns liquid into Conduction––Method
Conduction Method33
watervapor.
water vapor. Lossof
––Loss ofheat
heatdue
duetotodirect
direct
1.5 quarts or more of water loss
1.5 quarts or more of water loss contactenvironment.
contact environment.
perday.
per day. Clothingconducts
––Clothing conductsheat.
heat.
Active work contributes to
 Active work contributes to Sittingin
––Sitting inthe
thesnow.
snow.
water loss. Wetclothes
clothes==5x5xthe
the
water loss. ––Wet
STAY HYDRATED: Drink
 STAY HYDRATED: Drink conduction.
conduction.
PLENTY ofwater.
water. Immersion==25x25xthe
the
PLENTY of ––Immersion
conduction.
conduction.
Convection––Method
Method22 STAYDRY!!!
––STAY DRY!!!
Convection
Loss of heat through the air by
Loss of heat through the air by
blowingover
blowing overyour
yourskin.
skin.
Wind chill cools skin faster
Wind chill cools skin faster
than stillair.
than still air.
COVER exposed skin.
COVER exposed skin.
Take SHELTER from wind.
Take SHELTER from wind.
6
5 Methods of Heat Loss
Radiation––Method
Radiation Method44
Body radiates or ‘leaks’ heat
 Respiration––Method
Respiration Method55
Body radiates or ‘leaks’ heat
throughrays
raysor
orwaves.
waves. Air is warmed, then exhaled;

through Air is warmed, then exhaled;
40-45% lost through your resultHEAT
result HEATLOSS.
LOSS.
40-45% lost through your
Conduction in the lungs.
head &&neck.
head neck.  Conduction in the lungs.
Up to 60% is lost if your  QUITBREATHING?
QUIT BREATHING? No!!!
No!!!
Up to 60% is lost if your
hands,wrists
hands, wrists&&ankles
anklesare
are Breathe through nose.
Breathe through nose.
exposed.
exposed.  UseaaNeck
NeckGaiter
Gaiteror
orBalaclava.
Balaclava.
Use
COVER exposed, high
COVER exposed, high
radiatingareas.
radiating areas.

7
Cold Weather Injuries
Non Freezing Freezing
Hypothermia –Frost nip
Chilblains –Frostbite
Trench/Immersion foot

Associated Injuries
–Snow Blindness
–Dehydration

8
Cold Workplace
Refrigerated rooms
Freezers
Arctic exploration
Deep sea diving
Taxidrivers
Commercial fishing
Roofs in cold weather
Bridges near water bodies
Non work cold environment
Cross-country skiing
Outdoor camping
Ice skating
Rock climbing
Ice fishing
Sledging
Risk factors related to cold injuries
Three ways:-
Air temperature – measured by thermometers
Wind speed- measured by anemometers
Humidity – water conducts heat away from body 25
times faster
Other risk factors
Physical activity
Work/Rest schedule acc to TLV
Clothing to work below 4 deg celcius
Body’s reaction to cold
Tries to maintain core temp of 98.6 deg F
Decrease blood flow to extremities to prevent heat
loss

Keep internal organs warm

Increases chance of frost bite

Shivering generates heat

 1st Degree Frostbite (Frost Nip)
– Partial freezing
– Signs/symptom
– Stinging
•Most superficial form of frostbite
• No permanent Cold Weather Injury
• Redness, mild swelling, pale, and
edema

– Treatment
• Warm immediately

13
2nd Degree Frostbite
–Clear Blisters
–Numbness and Burning
pain
–Entire epidermis.
–Skin redness in fair
individuals.
–Grayish discoloration in
darker skinned individuals.
–Clear blister formation at
24-36 hours followed by
sheetlike desquamation.
–Persistent cold sensitivity
in the area.
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3rd Degree Frostbite
– Blue-gray discoloration
– Bleeding blisters
– Loss of sensation with pale, yellow,
waxy look if unthawed.
– Poor capillary refill.
– Tissue loss.
– Hemorrhagic bullae form in 3rd
degree injuries at 12-35 hours unless
re-warming is rapid.

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Frostbite
4th Degree
4th Degree
– Blue
–Blue
Deeply aching
––Deeply aching

– Red discoloring 1-5 days after injury.

– 4th degree characterized by gangrene,
necrosis, auto-amputation.
– Permanent anatomic and functional
loss.

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Frostbite
True
 Truefreezing
freezinginjury
injuryof
of
tissues.
tissues.
Onset
Onsetsignaled
signaledby bysudden
sudden
blanchingof
blanching ofthe
theskin
skinofof
nose,ears,
nose, ears,cheeks,
cheeks,toes,
toes,
followedby
followed bytingling.
tingling.
Frostbite
Frostbitehas
hasdeclared
declared
itselfwhen
itself whenthese
theseareas
areasare
are
painless.
painless.
Intense
Intensecoldness
coldnessfollowed
followed
bynumbness.
by numbness.

17
Frostbite Treatment
RAPID re-warming at temps slightly above body
temperature is the single most effective treatment.
Re-warm until the skin is pliable.
NO dry heat -- stoves or campfires.
No re-warming with exercise or rubbing.
Do not re-warm in the field if there is a risk of
refreezing.
Protection from further injury, pad all affected
areas.
Loosely wrap with gauze and elevate.
Remove wet and constrictive clothing.
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Snow Blindness
Cause
Light reflection off snow.

Signs and Symptoms

Red, itchy eyes.
Sensitivity to light.

Treatment
Stay indoors.
Rest eyes.
Bandage eyes.

Prevention 19

Dehydration
Cause - loss of body moisture
Dry air.
Cold diuresis.
Not enough fluid intake.
Signs/symptoms
Dry lips and mouth.
Dark yellow or orange urine.
Fatigue.
Treatment/prevention
Drink frequently.
1/2 per hour during heavy work load.
Timed drinking.
Don’t use alcohol or tobacco.

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Cold Weather Injury Prevention Tips
Principles of Care Need to maintain body heat
Frequent socks changes
In WW1, the Brits decreased trench foot cases from 29,000 in 1915
to 443 in 1917 by socks changes ONLY.
Cover head and neck, 80% of heat loss.
Use synthetic fibers, natural fibers retain moisture and have
poor wicking ability.

Modification of Risk Factors

Adequate nutrition: 3000-4000 cal/day.
Adequate hydration and rest.
Adequate clothing: loose, layered, windproof and changed
often.
Previous cold weather exposure and experience.
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Shelter
Shelter from weather is critical.
The standard shelter is the tent
Improvised shelters (quinzees,

snow caves, snow trenches, lean-tos)

In tents, sleep in long underwear,

socks and hat with all other clothing hung up to dry.

Ensure adequate ventilation to avoid moisture build
up in clothing and sleeping bags. Do not get it above
freezing.

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Cold Weather Sleep Tips
Prepare an insulation layer between ground and sleeping
bag.
In improvised shelters, only boots and the outermost
clothing layer should be removed. Place clothing under
the sleeping bag where it can add insulation without
accumulation moisture from the body.
Relieve yourself before you go to sleep.
Eat a candy bar or something else that is high in fat
before you sleep to give you energy which will help keep
you warm. (9 cal/gm)
Fill your water bottle and put in your sleeping bag so
water won’t freeze.
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Dressing for the C O L D
Keep Clothing Clean
Dirt and grease block up the air spaces in your clothing and reduce the insulation
value.

Avoid Overheating
Sweat can freeze on outer layers. Stay dry, moisture will decrease the insulating
ability of your clothing.

Wear Clothing in Layers

Loose clothing allows air spaces to help trap warm air without restricting blood
circulation. Good blood circulation helps to prevent frostbite.

Keep Clothing Dry

You’ve got to keep your clothing dry, from the outside as well as from the inside.
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6 Keys to Healthy Feet
Get into a warm area if possible.
Remove your boots and socks. Dry
your feet, especially between your
toes.
Use foot powder and a
antiperspirant.
Massage your feet for about five
minutes increasing circulation.
Put on a dry pair of socks.
Dry the inside of your boots or
change the liners.
Do this every 4 hours.
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“Bunny Boots”
When to use: Anytime the
temperature is below freezing
and you must be outside most
of the time (i.e., winter
camping, snow machining,
hiking.)
Wear only one pair of socks.
Wick out excess water.
Do not blow up by mouth.
Do not wear damaged boots.

26
Protect Your Fingers
Don’t wear gloves or mittens that are too tight.
Allow blood to circulate freely.
Failure to do so will cause hands to become cold, numb,
or stiff.

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Cold Weather Survival Kit
Waterproof matches and fire starter (eg. Candle,
magnesium match, lighter).
Signaling devices (eg. Mirror and whistle).
Knife.
Pressure bandage, cold-climate lip balm,
sunglasses.
Compass.
Water container (metal for use in fire).
Small amount of concentrated food.
Blanket.
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Wind Chill Category Little Increased Great
Work Intensity Danger Danger Danger
High
  Mittens with
Increased surveillance; Postpone non-essential
Digging quinzee or Gloves optional - linersExposed skin training; Essential tasks
trenches, running, mandatory below 0 oF; covered and kept dry; only with <15 minute
hiking with backpack, Increased hydration Rest in warm, sheltered exposure; Work groups
making or breaking area; Vapor barrier boots of no less than 2; Cover
camp below 0 oF (-18oC) all exposed skin

Increased surveillance; Cancel Outdoor Training

Low Cover exposed flesh
Restrict Non-essential
  training; 30-40 minute
when possible; Mittens work cycles with
Walking, hiking without
backpack
with liner; Full head frequent supervisory
cover below surveillance for essential
0 oF. Keep skin dry tasks. .
-especially around nose
and mouth.

Postpone non-essential Cancel Outdoor Training

Sedentary Full head cover Cold-
training; 15-20 minute
  weather boots below 0
o
F; Shorten duty cycles; work cycles for essential
Sentry work, eating,
Provide warming tasks; Work groups of no
resting, sleeping, clerical
facilities less than 2 personnel;
work
No exposed skin
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Hypothermia
Number One Killer
Loss of 4 or more degrees F
Body temp. less than 35 deg celcius
Wet body contributes.
Cause
Continued Exposure.
Depleted energy supply.
Symptoms
Shivering. Or shivering but now stopped
Slow and Shallow Breathing.
Slow Speech.
Loss of Coordination.
Memory Lapse, confusion, lethargy, slurred speech
Hunger, nausea, fatigue.
Unconscious, heart beat and respn erratic.
Less than 75 deg F – death.

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Hypothermia
Treatment
End exposure.
Warm
beverages.
Keep victim in
warm, dry clothes.
Gradually re-
warm.

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Field Warming Options
Passive External
Cover the victim with dry insulating materials in a warm
environment (Blankets, sleeping bags and space blankets).
Block the wind.
Keep victim dry.

Active External
Apply hot water bottles, heat packs or warmed rocks to
areas of high circulation -- neck, axillae and groin.
Immerse victim in water bath, 104Fº.
Share body heat with second person.

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Chilblain
Cause
Repeated, chronic exposure of bare skin to temps 0-15 deg C.

Sign/Symptoms
Appear as swollen, tender, papules.
Complaint of burning or prickly sensation.
Redness.

Treatment
Passive warming at room temp.
No rubbing.
Protect from trauma and secondary infection.

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Trench/Immersion Foot
Cause
Wet conditions, low temperature.
Prolonged contact with moisture at temps between 32º-50ºF

Signs / Symptoms
Numbness and pain.
Swelling, tingling, itching.
Pale waxy skin.
Blistering.

Treatment
Elevate, wrap in loose dressing.
Passive re-warming at room temp.
No massages or rubbing.
Air dry, no immersion in water.

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 Bottom Line
Leaders that plan, train, and prepare
for the cold…
WIN IN THE COLD!!