Emergency War Surgery NATO Handbook: Part I: Types of Wounds and Injuries: Chapter IV: Cold Injury
United States Department of Defense
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer
Reviewed
Cold injury is preventable. Well-trained, fit, disciplined soldiers can be protected from cold injury even in adverse, pinned-down positions if they are knowledgeable concerning the hazards of cold exposure and informed regarding the importance of personal hygiene, care of the feet, exercise, and the rational use of clothing. Such discipline and training are a command and not a medical responsibility and reinforcement of these principles throughout the field operations is essential to the goal of protection from cold injury. Although cold injury is preventable, commanders may be faced with circumstances that are likely to lead to large numbers of casualties, and a decision may have to be made to accept a certain number of cold injuries to win the battle. The need for a major offensive in a cold, wet environment, or a retreat when faced by an overwhelming foe, may prompt a commander to accept cold injuries to change the tide of battle. The highest levels of command must be aware of the medical implications of such decisions. The combination of fit, disciplined soldiers, trained for cold weather operations, plus the provision of dry clothing, adequate food, water, and shelter will minimize the number of cold injuries.
All contents copyright © 1997-2000 The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.vnh.org/