FRT Aug Training Part 1

Enable Nuclear Deterrence & Community Wellness through an Integrated Health Care System

341st Medical Group

UNCLASSIFIED

FRT AUGUST TRAINING

Maj Gacioch

FRT Team Chief

Part 1: Cold Weather Injuries

Enable Nuclear Deterrence & Community Wellness through an Integrated Health Care SystemUNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

Cold Weather

Cold decreases your ability to think and weakens your will to do anything except to get warm. Cold is an insidious enemy; as it numbs the mind, it subdues the will to survive. Cold makes it very easy to forget your ultimate goal – to survive.

FM 21-76 (Survival), Pg 15-1

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Typical Victim of a Cold

Weather Injury

Male

A1C or below

20 years old (approximately)

From a warm climate

Less than 18 months time in service

Uses tobacco, alcohol or medications

Neglects proper foot care

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General Protection

Use multiple layers, loose enough to trap air

Cover your head (can lose 40-45% of body heat from

head, and even more from neck, wrists and ankles

Outermost layer should be wind/water resistant

Consider higher protein/fat foods for calories

Consider portable heaters, glove warmers, etc

C- Keep clothing clean

O- Avoid overheating

L- Wear clothes loose and in layers

D- Keep clothing dry

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Factors Increasing Risks

The body is better at losing heat than producing it

Taking certain drugs or medications such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and medication that inhibit the body's response to the cold or impairs judgment

Having a cold or certain diseases, such as diabetes, heart, vascular, and thyroid problems (may make a person more susceptible to the winter elements)

Male sex (♂ have far greater mortality from cold than ♀, perhaps due to inherent risk-taking activities, body-fat composition or other physiological differences)

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Hypothermia

DEFINITION: lowering of body temperature at a rate

faster than the body can produce heat

Initial symptom is shivering, sign is progressive pallor

of skin in extremities

At 96 degees F – shivering progresses to the point of

being uncontrollable. Patient can’t care for self

At 95-90 degees F – sluggish thinking, irrational

reasoning, & false perception of warmth. Weak pulse

At 90 – 86 degees F or less symptoms include muscle

rigidity, unconsciousness & barely detectable signs of

life (inaudible heart beat & pulse, unreactive pupils,

very slow respirations

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Mild

Moderate

Severe


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Frostbite

DEFINITION: Freezing of tissues. Light frostbite

produces areas of dull, whitish, pallor that are numb

when cold and burn when rewarmed “chillblains”

Tend to occur on thin skin (face, feet & hands).

Counter effect by covering, wiggling (making faces)

and periodically exposing to heat.

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Severe Frostbite

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Trenchfoot

Exposure for many hours or days to wet/damp at

near freezing temperatures

Presents as pins & needles sensation tingling

numbness pain

Skin appears wet, soggy, wet, white & shriveled. As

damage occurs red bluish black in color.

Walking becomes difficult. Muscles & tendons

become damaged. If persists long enough can

progress to gangrene and possibly amputation.

Prevention is keeping feet warm and dry.

Change socks frequently!

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Trench Foot

(Mild to Severe)

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Trenchfoot Treatment

prevent further exposure

dry carefully

DO NOT break blisters, apply lotions, massage,

expose to heat, or allow to walk on injury

rewarm by exposing to warm air

clean and wrap loosely

elevate feet to reduce swelling

evacuate for medical treatment

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Cold Weather Survival

DO

Periodically check self/buddy for frostbite.

Rewarm frostbite

Keep injured areas from refreezing

DON’T

Rub injuries with snow

drink Alcoholic beverages

Thaw out deep frostbite if away from definitive care

(better to leave it frozen)

Smoke

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More Advanced Care

If the person is conscious give hot, sweetened fluids

(honey, dextrose or sugar)

To treat hypothermia rewarm the whole body, starting

with the trunk only in warm water (100-110 degrees F)

then slowly stimulating peripheral blood flow

Do not warm too rapidly

– BEWARE “afterdrop”

If warm-water submersion is not available, use

naked-buddy treatment in a sleeping bag

– BEWARE: monitor buddy for hypothermia

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Other Cold Weather Risks

Dehydration – fluid loss to expiration & sweating

Cold Diuresis – cold increases urinary output so

increase fluids 2L > normal amounts; Urine = Lt yellow

Constipation –add fruit/fiber to induce BMs regularly

Sunburn – skin is exposed to reflected rays from every

direction. Aggravated at high altitude.

Snow Blindness – ultraviolet rays reflected from snow cause

sunburn to the eyes

Eyes feel gritty Pain that increases with eye movement

eyes become teary and reddened headaches (often)

Use sunglasses on bright days!

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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

When oxygen in the body is replaced by carbon

monoxide

colorless, odorless, tasteless gas resulting from

incomplete combustion

Inadequate ventilation

from engines, stoves,

and/or heaters

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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms

headache

dizziness

weakness

excessive yawning

ringing in ears

confusion

nausea

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bright red lips, eyelids

grayish tint in dark-

skinned people

drowsiness

unconsciousness

possibly death

Treatment–move to fresh air immediately

––provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim is not breathing-Use supplemental oxygen, if available

-Transport ASAP

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Valley Forge, December 1777

FRT Aug Training Part 1

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