LE1-C5S9T3pg Treatment of Cold Weather Injuries

Purpose This lesson explains how you can prevent and, when required, treat cold weather injuries.

1. Describe factors to consider in cold weather situations. 2. Explain causes and effects of cold weather injuries. 3. Demonstrate how to treat frostbite, immersion foot/trench foot, hypothermia and snow blindness. 4. Explain how to prevent cold weather injuries.

CPS Lesson Questions (1-2)

Which sentence best describes your knowledge of cold weather injuries? A.I don’t know anything about cold injuries (yet). B.I have heard of some cold injuries and treatment. C.I have experienced a cold weather injury. D.I have taken a first aid class that included cold weather injuries and treatment.

True or False: The possibility of exposure to cold weather injuries does not make outdoor activities dangerous. A.True B.False

Think about your knowledge of cold weather injuries. List 2-3 causes and effects of cold weather injuries. (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question.)

 Cold weather warrants special precautions for those who spend time outdoors.  It is also important to know how to prevent and treat cold weather injuries.

 Humans are warm blooded animals who maintain a relatively constant internal temperature.  If our core temperature drops 2 degrees we will feel cold.  If our core temperature drops 7 degrees our life may be at jeopardy.

 The human body is designed to live in tropical climates, so human heat loss mechanisms are highly developed.  If our body gets cold, cognitive functions diminish and this dangerously impairs our ability to react to cold weather.

 All cold weather injuries are similar, varying only in the degree of injury to tissues.  Fatigue, smoking, drugs alcoholic beverages, emotional stress, dehydration and the presence of other injuries intensify the harmful effect of the cold.  The most dangerous conditions that can result from cold weather exposure are frostbite and hypothermia.

 Hypothermia is a condition in which a person’s body temperature has become abnormally low.  Signs of hypothermia occur when body temperature drops to temperature of 95 degrees or lower.  If the body temperature drops as low as 80 degrees death is likely to occur.  When exposed to cold temperatures, the body loses heat faster than it can be produced.

 Prolonged exposure to cold weather will eventually use up the body’s stored energy.  Low body temperature affects the brain and a person’s ability to think clearly or move.  This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because you don’t know what is happening.  The signs and symptoms of hypothermia change as body temperature falls.

 Be aware of the weather conditions and surroundings.  Dress appropriately for cold weather, stay warm and dry.  Layer clothing to better regulate the amount of insulation covering the body.

CPS Lesson Question (3)

To prevent hypothermia… A.Layer clothing B.Be aware of the weather conditions C.Stay dry D.B and C only E.All of the above

 Frostbite occurs when ice crystals form in the skin or deeper tissues after exposure to a cold temperature, high altitude, or high wind.  Skin reddens, heat is lost, numbness of the affected area, frozen extremities appear white, yellow-white, blue-white and is cold and hard.  Frostbite is classified as superficial or deep, depending on the extent of the tissue involved.

 Take victim indoors and place affected extremity under rescuer’s armpit, against abdomen, or between their legs to warm/thaw.  Warm water immersion, skin-to-skin contact, or hot water bottles can rewarm frostbite areas.  Never rub a frostbite area.

 Under-thawing can leave permanent tissue damage.  Rewarming frostbite is generally very painful.  If hypothermia is present it takes priority.  After area is thawed, air dry and do not rub.  Swelling and blisters will occur, drain blisters then dress with Aloe Vera ointment.  Refreezing must be prevented to avoid tissue damage.

CPS Lesson Question (4)

There are a variety of ways to rewarm frostbite which of the following should never be used? A.Use of a rescuer’s body B.Warm water immersion C.Hot water bottles D.Rubbing the area

 Inflammation of the eye caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays shining on snow.  Blinking is painful, light hurts eyes, eyelids swell, eye redness and excessive tearing.  Wear good sunglasses or goggles with side shields on cloudy and sunny snow days.

CPS Lesson Question (5)

Being in wet cold conditions for over 12 hours can produce this non-freezing cold injury. A.Frostbite B.Hypothermia C.Trench Foot/Immersion Foot D.Snow Blindness

List 2-3 signs of frostbite and ways to treat frostbite symptoms. (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question.)

Images in this lesson were taken from:  Microsoft © Clip Art Gallery  Marine Corps Combat Camera  MCJROTC Student Text