COLD WEATHER COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONSPRECAUTIONS

ALL OF A SUDDEN…..ALL OF A SUDDEN…..

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet, and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers.

The winter season is The winter season is upon us, which may upon us, which may mean snow, ice, sleet, mean snow, ice, sleet, rain and freezing rain and freezing temperatures. This temperatures. This time of year, it’s nice time of year, it’s nice to see snow blanketing to see snow blanketing the streets, trees and the streets, trees and rivers, but it can also rivers, but it can also be dangerous if you’re be dangerous if you’re not careful.not careful.

YOUR CAR YOUR CAR

Prepare your car for winter. Start with a checkup that includes:Prepare your car for winter. Start with a checkup that includes: Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan

belts. belts. Changing and adjusting the spark plugs. Changing and adjusting the spark plugs. Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the

PCV PCV valve. valve. Inspecting the distributor. Inspecting the distributor. Checking the battery. Checking the battery. Checking the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread Checking the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread

depth. depth. Checking antifreeze level and the freeze line. Checking antifreeze level and the freeze line. Your car should have a tune-up (check the owner's Your car should have a tune-up (check the owner's

manual for the manual for the recommended interval) to ensure better recommended interval) to ensure better gas mileage, quicker starts and faster response on pick-up gas mileage, quicker starts and faster response on pick-up and passing power. and passing power.

FIGHT OFF THE COLD…FIGHT OFF THE COLD…

WORKERS BE SURE WORKERS BE SURE TO DRESS TO DRESS PROPERLYPROPERLY

LAYERS OF WARM LAYERS OF WARM CLOTHINGCLOTHING

WATERPROOF WATERPROOF COATS OR COATS OR OUTERWEAROUTERWEAR

HAT & GLOVES HAT & GLOVES

FROSTBITEFROSTBITE

SKIN FEELS COLD SKIN FEELS COLD & NUMB& NUMB

SURFACE OF SKIN SURFACE OF SKIN HAS A WAXY LOOK HAS A WAXY LOOK

SKIN IS STIFF TO SKIN IS STIFF TO THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH

LARGE BLISTERS LARGE BLISTERS MAY APPEAR AFTER MAY APPEAR AFTER REWARMINGREWARMING

HEALING……HEALING……

GET OUT OF THE COLD & INTO A WARM GET OUT OF THE COLD & INTO A WARM PLACE PRONTOPLACE PRONTO

REMOVE ALL CONTRUCTIVE CLOTHING OR REMOVE ALL CONTRUCTIVE CLOTHING OR JEWELRY ITEMS THAT COULD IMPAIR JEWELRY ITEMS THAT COULD IMPAIR CIRCULATIONCIRCULATION

PLACE DRY STERILE GAUZE BETWEEN PLACE DRY STERILE GAUZE BETWEEN FINGERS & TOES TO ABSORB MOISTURE & FINGERS & TOES TO ABSORB MOISTURE & KEEP THEM FROM STICKING TOGETHERKEEP THEM FROM STICKING TOGETHER

SLIGHTLY ELEVATE AFFECTED AREAS TO SLIGHTLY ELEVATE AFFECTED AREAS TO REDUCE PAIN & SWELLINGREDUCE PAIN & SWELLING

HOW COLD IS TOO COLD???HOW COLD IS TOO COLD???

…….WHEN THE BODY .WHEN THE BODY IS UNABLE TO IS UNABLE TO WARM ITSELF. WARM ITSELF. WHEN THAT WHEN THAT OCCURS, COLD-OCCURS, COLD-RELATED STRESS RELATED STRESS MAY RESULT WHICH MAY RESULT WHICH IS JUST AS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS DANGEROUS AS HEAT STRESSHEAT STRESS

COLD STRESSCOLD STRESS A COLD ENVIRONMENT A COLD ENVIRONMENT

FORCES THE BODY TO FORCES THE BODY TO WORK HARDER TO WORK HARDER TO MAINTAIN ITS CORE TEMP. MAINTAIN ITS CORE TEMP. THE BODIES ENERGY IS THE BODIES ENERGY IS USED TO KEEP THE USED TO KEEP THE INTERNAL TEMP WARM. INTERNAL TEMP WARM. THUS BLOOD WILL SHIFT THUS BLOOD WILL SHIFT FROM EXTREMITIES SUCH FROM EXTREMITIES SUCH AS HANDS , FEET, LEGS & AS HANDS , FEET, LEGS & ARMS TO THE CORE OF THE ARMS TO THE CORE OF THE BODY: CHEST & ABDOMEN. BODY: CHEST & ABDOMEN. THUS ALLOWING EXPOSED THUS ALLOWING EXPOSED AREAS TO COOL RAPIDLY & AREAS TO COOL RAPIDLY & INCREASES RISK OF INCREASES RISK OF FROSTBITE & FROSTBITE & HYPOTHERMIA.HYPOTHERMIA.

AGE & THE COLD…..AGE & THE COLD…..

ANYONE IS AT RISKANYONE IS AT RISK THE OLDER YOU ARE THE THE OLDER YOU ARE THE

MORE AT RISK YOU WILL MORE AT RISK YOU WILL BECOMEBECOME

OLDER PEOPLE ARE NOT OLDER PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO GENERATE HEAT ABLE TO GENERATE HEAT AS QUICKLY & CERTAIN AS QUICKLY & CERTAIN MEDICATIONS MAY MEDICATIONS MAY PREVENT THE BODY FROM PREVENT THE BODY FROM GENERATING HEAT GENERATING HEAT NORMALLY.NORMALLY.

WEAR A HAT, 40% OF THE WEAR A HAT, 40% OF THE BODY’S HEAT IS LOST BODY’S HEAT IS LOST THRU EXPOSED HEADS.THRU EXPOSED HEADS.

PREVENTION…..PREVENTION…..

DRINK PLENTY OF LIQUIDSDRINK PLENTY OF LIQUIDS AVOID CAFFEINE & AVOID CAFFEINE &

ALCOHOLALCOHOL SCHEDULE HEAVY WORK SCHEDULE HEAVY WORK

DURING THE WARMER DURING THE WARMER PARTS OF THE DAYPARTS OF THE DAY

TAKE REGULAR BREAKS & TAKE REGULAR BREAKS & WORK IN PAIRSWORK IN PAIRS

AVOID FATIGUE, ENERGY AVOID FATIGUE, ENERGY IS NEEDED TO KEEP WARMIS NEEDED TO KEEP WARM

EAT WARM HIGH CALORIE EAT WARM HIGH CALORIE MEALS LIKE PASTA TO MEALS LIKE PASTA TO MAINTAIN ENERGY MAINTAIN ENERGY RESERVES.RESERVES.

TRAVEL TIME…..TRAVEL TIME…..

From Thanksgiving From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, through New Year’s, ensure that everyone ensure that everyone takes every step takes every step necessary to avoid necessary to avoid mishaps. Because this mishaps. Because this is a period commonly is a period commonly used for winter leave used for winter leave and vacation, more and vacation, more people will be on the people will be on the road to visit family and road to visit family and friends for the holidays.friends for the holidays.

““WEATHER”WEATHER”

No matter what the No matter what the temperature, weather temperature, weather affects road and affects road and driving conditions and driving conditions and can pose serious can pose serious problems. It is problems. It is important to listen to important to listen to forecasts on radio, TV, forecasts on radio, TV, cable weather cable weather channel, or forecasts channel, or forecasts in the daily papers.in the daily papers.

IF YOU BECOME IF YOU BECOME STRANDED….STRANDED….

Do not leave your car unless you know Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation. improve your situation.

To attract attention, light two flares To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna. colored cloth from your antenna.

If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank. of gas in the tank.

To protect yourself from frostbite and To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm. blankets to keep warm.

Keep at least one window open Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut. car shut.

Eat hard candy to keep your mouth Eat hard candy to keep your mouth moist. moist.

DRIVING IN SNOW & ICE…DRIVING IN SNOW & ICE… If you don't have to drive--don't!  But if you must, drive If you don't have to drive--don't!  But if you must, drive

defensively and smart. defensively and smart. Before beginning your trip, know the current road Before beginning your trip, know the current road

conditions.  Call 1-800-367-ROAD or visit your state’s conditions.  Call 1-800-367-ROAD or visit your state’s Department of Transportation website.Department of Transportation website.

Be alert for potential driving hazards including downed Be alert for potential driving hazards including downed branches, trees, electric lines and icy areas, such as shady branches, trees, electric lines and icy areas, such as shady spots and bridges. spots and bridges.

Leave a few minutes early to allow extra time to get to your Leave a few minutes early to allow extra time to get to your destination. destination.

Slow down. Triple the usual distance between your car and Slow down. Triple the usual distance between your car and the one ahead. the one ahead.

Stay in the plowed lane; avoid driving over the ridges Stay in the plowed lane; avoid driving over the ridges between the plowed areas. If you must switch lanes, slow between the plowed areas. If you must switch lanes, slow down, signal and move over slowly. down, signal and move over slowly.

Don't pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely Don't pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary. necessary.

DEHYDRATIONDEHYDRATION

Cause - loss of body Cause - loss of body moisturemoisture Dry air.Dry air. Cold diuresis.Cold diuresis. Not enough fluid intake.Not enough fluid intake.

Signs/symptomsSigns/symptoms Dry lips and mouth.Dry lips and mouth. Dark yellow or orange urine.Dark yellow or orange urine. Fatigue.Fatigue.

Treatment/preventionTreatment/prevention Drink frequently.Drink frequently. 1/2 –1 qt per hour during 1/2 –1 qt per hour during

heavy work load.heavy work load. Timed drinking.Timed drinking. Don’t use alcohol or Don’t use alcohol or

tobacco.tobacco.

DRIVING IN SNOW & ICE …IIDRIVING IN SNOW & ICE …II

Don't park along the street.  Snowplow drivers can't fully Don't park along the street.  Snowplow drivers can't fully clear a road if cars are in their way. clear a road if cars are in their way.

If you skid, steer into the skid. If the back of your car is If you skid, steer into the skid. If the back of your car is skidding to the left, for example, turn the steering wheel to skidding to the left, for example, turn the steering wheel to the left. the left.

Don't pump your brakes, and avoid locking them up. If your Don't pump your brakes, and avoid locking them up. If your brakes lock, take your foot off the brake pedal for a moment. brakes lock, take your foot off the brake pedal for a moment.

If you're involved in a fender-bender, move the cars out of If you're involved in a fender-bender, move the cars out of the lanes of travel. the lanes of travel.

Keep an emergency winter driving kit with a blanket and Keep an emergency winter driving kit with a blanket and flashlight in the car. flashlight in the car.

While driving, keep your headlights on. Keep snow and ice While driving, keep your headlights on. Keep snow and ice off your mirrors, windows and lights. off your mirrors, windows and lights.

As always, wear your seatbelts. As always, wear your seatbelts. If your car has an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and you If your car has an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and you

must brake, be sure to press the brake pedal and hold. must brake, be sure to press the brake pedal and hold.

Principles of CarePrinciples of Care Need Need to maintain body heatto maintain body heat

Frequent sock Frequent sock changeschanges

In WW1, the Brits In WW1, the Brits decreased trench foot decreased trench foot cases from 29,000 in cases from 29,000 in 1915 to 443 in 1917 1915 to 443 in 1917 by sock changes.by sock changes.

Cover head and neck, Cover head and neck, 80% of heat loss. 80% of heat loss.

Use synthetic fibers, Use synthetic fibers, natural fibers retain natural fibers retain moisture and have moisture and have poor wicking ability.poor wicking ability.

DRESSING FOR THE C.O.L.D.DRESSING FOR THE C.O.L.D.

Keep ClothingKeep Clothing CCleanleanDirt and grease block up the air spaces in your clothing and reduce the Dirt and grease block up the air spaces in your clothing and reduce the insulation value. insulation value.

AvoidAvoid OOverheatingverheatingSweat can freeze on outer layers. Stay dry, moisture will decrease the Sweat can freeze on outer layers. Stay dry, moisture will decrease the insulating ability of your clothinginsulating ability of your clothing..

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

Keep Clothing Keep Clothing DDryryYou’ve got to keep your clothing dry, from the outside as well as from the You’ve got to keep your clothing dry, from the outside as well as from the inside.inside.

Results of Cold Weather Results of Cold Weather InjuriesInjuries

Napoleon and Hitler Napoleon and Hitler both lost Russia due both lost Russia due to Cold Weather to Cold Weather Injuries.Injuries.

In the Korean WarIn the Korean War 8,000 cold weather 8,000 cold weather

casualties the first casualties the first winterwinter

SUSTAINING PERFORMANCESUSTAINING PERFORMANCE Limit ExposureLimit Exposure

Many tasks can be divided into shorter Many tasks can be divided into shorter segments to allow re-warming breaks: segments to allow re-warming breaks:

For tasks requiring work without gloves, brief For tasks requiring work without gloves, brief re-warming periods in a heated shelter or even re-warming periods in a heated shelter or even time spent with the gloves replaced may time spent with the gloves replaced may maintain sufficient manual dexterity that the maintain sufficient manual dexterity that the task can be completed.task can be completed.

It may be necessary to complete the task using It may be necessary to complete the task using a two-team approach, where one team works a two-team approach, where one team works while the other re-warms.while the other re-warms.

Work should be planned to avoid extended Work should be planned to avoid extended periods of inactivity while scouts are in the periods of inactivity while scouts are in the cold.cold.

IN CLOSING……IN CLOSING…… WINTER DAYS ARE WINTER DAYS ARE

SHORTER & DARKER, SHORTER & DARKER, WEAR HIGH VISIBILTY WEAR HIGH VISIBILTY CAPS & COATS & VESTS.CAPS & COATS & VESTS.

KEEP A CHANGE OF DRY KEEP A CHANGE OF DRY CLOTHING AVAILABLE.CLOTHING AVAILABLE.

WEAR AT LEAST 3 WEAR AT LEAST 3 LAYERS W/OUTER A LAYERS W/OUTER A WIND & RAIN WIND & RAIN PROTECTION LAYER. PROTECTION LAYER.