| Chapter
5 - First Aid for Climatic Injuries
Introduction
It is desirable, but not always possible, for an individual’s body to become adjusted
(acclimatized) to an environment. Physical condition determines the time adjustment,
and trying to rush it is ineffective. Even those individuals in good physical
condition need time before working or training in extremes of hot or cold weather.
Climate-related injuries are usually preventable; prevention is both an individual
and leadership responsibility. Several factors contribute to health and well-being
in any environment: diet, sleep/rest, exercise, and suitable clothing. These factors
are particularly important in extremes of weather. Diet, especially, should be
suited to an individual’s needs in a particular climate. A special diet undertaken
for any purpose should be done so with appropriate supervision. This will
ensure that the individual is getting a properly balanced diet suited to both
climate and personal needs,
whether for weight reduction or other purposes.
The wearing of specialized protective gear or clothing will sometimes add to the
problem of adjusting to a particular climate. Therefore, soldiers should exercise
caution and judgment in adding or removing specialized protective gear or clothing.
5-1. Heat Injuries (081-831-1008)
Heat injuries are environmental injuries that may result when a soldier is exposed
to extreme heat, such as from the sun or from high temperatures. Prevention depends
on availability and consumption of adequate amounts of water. Prevention also
depends on proper clothing and appropriate activity levels. Acclimatization and
protection from undue heat exposure are also very important. Identification of
high risk personnel (basic trainees, troops with previous history of heat injury,
and overweight soldiers) helps both the leadership and the individual prevent
and cope with climatic conditions. Instruction on living and working in hot climates
also contributes toward prevention. NOTE
Salt
tablets should not be used in the prevention of heat injury. Usually, eating field
rations or liberal salting of the garrison diet will provide enough salt to replace
what is lost through sweating in hot weather. a.
Diet. A balanced diet usually provides enough salt even in hot weather. But
when people are on reducing or other diets, salt may need to come from other sources.
DO NOT use salt tablets to supplement a diet. Anyone on a special diet
(for whatever purpose) should obtain professional help to work out a properly
balanced diet.
b. Clothing.
(1) The type and amount of clothing and
equipment a soldier wears and the way he wears it also affect the body and its
adjustment to the environment. Clothing protects the body from radiant heat. However,
excessive or tight-fitting clothing, web equipment, and packs reduce ventilation
needed to cool the body. During halts, rest stops, and other periods when such
items are not needed, they should be removed, mission permitting.
(2) The individual
protective equipment (IPE) protects the soldier from chemical and biological agents.
The equipment provides a barrier between him and a toxic environment. However,
a serious problem associated with the chemical overgarment is heat stress.
The body normally maintains a heat balance, but when the overgarment is worn the
body sometimes does not function properly. Overheating may occur rapidly. Therefore,
strict adherence to mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) levels directed
by your commander is important. This will keep those heat related injuries caused
by wearing the IPE to a minimum. See FM 3-4 for further information on MOPP.
c.
Prevention. The ideal fluid replacement is water. The availability of sufficient
water during work or training in hot weather is very important. The body,
which depends on water to help cool itself, can lose more than a quart of water
per hour through sweat. Lost fluids must be replaced quickly. Therefore, during
these work or training periods, you should drink at least one canteen full
of water every hour. In extremely hot climates or extreme temperatures, drink
at least a full canteen of water every half hour, if possible. In such hot climates,
the body depends mainly upon sweating to keep it cool, and water intake must be
maintained to allow sweating to continue. Also, keep in mind that a person who
has suffered one heat injury is likely to suffer another. Before a heat injury
casualty returns to work, he should have recovered well enough not to risk a recurrence.
Other conditions which may increase heat stress and cause heat injury include
infections, fever, recent illness or injury, overweight, dehydration, exertion,
fatigue, heavy meals, and alcohol. In all this, note that salt tablets should
not be used as a preventive measure.
d. Categories. Heat injury
can be divided into three categories: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
e.
First Aid. Recognize and give first aid for heat injuries. WARNING
Casualty
should be continually monitored for development of conditions which may require
the performance of necessary basic lifesaving measures, such as: clearing the
airway, performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, preventing shock, and/or bleeding
control. *
CAUTION
DO NOT use salt solution in first aid procedures for heat injuries. (1)
Check the casualty for signs and symptoms of heat cramps (081-831-1008).
•
Signs/Symptoms. Heat cramps are caused by an imbalance of chemicals (called
electrolytes) in the body as a result of excessive sweating. This condition causes
the casualty to exhibit:
o Muscle cramps in the extremities (arms and legs).
o
Muscle cramps of the abdomen.
o Heavy (excessive) sweating (wet skin).
o
Thirst.
• Treatment.
o Move the casualty to a cool or shady
area (or improvise shade).
o Loosen his clothing (if not in a chemical environment).
o
Have him slowly drink at least one canteen full of cool water.
o Seek medical
aid should cramps continue. WARNING
DO
NOT loosen the casualty’s clothing if in a chemical environment. (2)
Check the casualty for signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion (081-831-1008).
•
Signs/Symptoms which occur often. Heat exhaustion is caused by loss
of water through sweating without adequate fluid replacement. It can occur in
an otherwise fit individual who is involved in tremendous physical exertion in
any hot environment. The signs and symptoms are similar to those which develop
when a person goes into a state of shock.
o Heavy (excessive) sweating with
pale, moist, cool skin.
o Headache.
o Weakness.
o Dizziness.
o Loss
of appetite.
• Signs/Symptoms which occur sometimes.
o
Heat cramps.
o Nausea—with or without vomiting.
o Urge to defecate.
o
Chills (gooseflesh).
o Rapid breathing.
o Tingling of hands and/or feet.
o
Confusion.
• Treatment.
o Move the casualty to a cool or shady
area (or improvise shade).
o Loosen or remove his clothing and boots (unless
in a chemical environment). Pour water on him and fan him (unless in a chemical
environment).
o Have him slowly drink at least one canteen full of cool water.
o
Elevate his legs.
o If possible, the casualty should not participate in strenuous
activity for the remainder of the day.
o Monitor the casualty until the symptoms
are gone, or medical aid arrives.
(3) Check the casualty for signs and symptoms
of heatstroke (sometimes called “sunstroke") (081-831-1008). WARNING
Heatstroke
must be considered a medical emergency which may result in death if treatment
is delayed. •
Signs/Symptoms. A casualty suffering from heatstroke has usually worked in
a very hot, humid environment for a prolonged time. It is caused by failure of
the body’s cooling mechanisms. Inadequate sweating is a factor. The casualty’s
skin is red (flushed), hot, and dry. He may experience weakness, dizziness, confusion,
headaches, seizures, nausea (stomach pains), and his respiration and pulse may
be rapid and weak. Unconsciousness and collapse may occur suddenly.
•
Treatment. Cool casualty immediately by—
o Moving him to a cool or shaded
area (or improvise shade).
o Loosening or removing his clothing (except in
a chemical environment).
* o Spraying or pouring water on him; fanning him
to permit a coolant effect of evaporation.
o Massaging his extremities and
skin which increases the blood flow to those body areas, thus aiding the cooling
process.
o Elevating his legs.
o Having him slowly drink at least one canteen
full of water if he is conscious. NOTE
Start
cooling casualty immediately. Continue cooling while awaiting transportation
and during the evacuation. •
Medical aid. Seek medical aid because the casualty should be transported to
a medical treatment facility as soon as possible. Do not interrupt cooling process
or lifesaving measures to seek help.
• Casualty should be continually
monitored for development of conditions which may require the performance of necessary
basic lifesaving measures, such as clearing the airway, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,
preventing shock, and/or bleeding control.
f. Table. See Table 5-1 for
further information.
5-2.
Cold Injuries (081-831-1009)
Cold injuries are most likely to occur
when an unprepared individual is exposed to winter temperatures. They can occur
even with proper planning and equipment. The cold weather and the type of combat
operation in which the individual is involved impact on whether he is likely to
be injured and to what extent. His clothing, his physical condition, and his mental
makeup also are determining factors. However, cold injuries can usually be prevented.
Well-disciplined and well-trained individuals can be protected even in the most
adverse circumstances. They and their leaders must know the hazards of exposure
to the cold. They must know the importance of personal hygiene, exercise, care
of the feet and hands, and the use of protective clothing.
a. Contributing
Factors.
(1) Weather. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, and
wind modify the loss of body heat. Low temperatures and low relative humidity-dry
cold—promote frostbite. Higher temperatures, together with moisture, promote immersion
syndrome. Wind-chill accelerates the loss of body heat and may aggravate cold
injuries. These principles and risks apply equally to both men and women.
(2)
Type of combat operation. Defense, delaying, observation-post, and sentinel
duties do create to a greater extent—fear, fatigue, dehydration, and lack of nutrition.
These factors further increase the soldier’s vulnerability to cold injury. Also,
a soldier is more likely to receive a cold injury if he is—
• Often in
contact with the ground.
• Immobile for long periods, such as while riding
in a crowded vehicle.
• Standing in water, such as in a foxhole.
•
Out in the cold for days without being warmed.
• Deprived of an adequate
diet and rest.
• Not able to take care of his personal hygiene.
(3)
Clothing. The soldier should wear several layers of loose clothing. He
should dress as lightly as possible consistent with the weather to reduce the
danger of excessive perspiration and subsequent chilling. It is better for the
body to be slightly cold and generating heat than excessively warm and sweltering
toward dehydration. He should remove a layer or two of clothing before doing any
hard work. He should replace the clothing when work is completed. Most cold injuries
result from soldiers having too few clothes available when the weather suddenly
turns colder. Wet gloves, shoes, socks, or any other wet clothing add to the cold
injury process. CAUTION
In
a chemical environment DO NOT take off protective chemical gear. (4)
Physical makeup. Physical fatigue contributes to apathy, which leads to inactivity,
personal neglect, carelessness, and reduced heat production. In turn, these increase
the risk of cold injury. Soldiers with prior cold injuries have a higher-than-normal
risk of subsequent cold injury, not necessarily involving the part previously
injured.
(5) Psychological factor. Mental fatigue and fear reduces the
body’s ability to rewarm itself and thus increases the incidence of cold injury.
The feelings of isolation imposed by the environment are also stressful. Depressed
and/or unresponsive soldiers are also vulnerable because they are less active.
These soldiers tend to be careless about precautionary measures, especially warming
activities, when cold injury is a threat.
b. Signs/Symptoms. Once a
soldier becomes familiar with the factors that contribute to cold injury, he must
learn to recognize cold injury signs/symptoms.
(1) Many soldiers suffer cold
injury without realizing what is happening to them. They may be cold and generally
uncomfortable. These soldiers often do not notice the injured part because
it is already numb from the cold.
(2) Superficial cold injury usually
can be detected by numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” sensations.
These signs/symptoms often can be relieved simply by loosening boots or other
clothing and by exercising to improve circulation. In more serious cases involving
deep cold injury, the soldier often is not aware that there is a problem until
the affected part feels like a stump or block of wood.
(3) Outward signs
of cold injury include discoloration of the skin at the site of injury.
In light-skinned persons, the skin first reddens and then becomes pale or waxy
white. In dark-skinned persons, grayness in the skin is usually evident. An injured
foot or hand feels cold to the touch. Swelling may be an indication
of deep injury. Also note that blisters may occur after rewarming the affected
parts. Soldiers should work in pairs—buddy teams—to check each other
for signs of discoloration and other symptoms. Leaders should also be alert
for signs of cold injuries.
c. Treatment Considerations. First aid for
cold injuries depends on whether they are superficial or deep. Cases of superficial
cold injury can be adequately treated by warming the affected part using body
heat. For example, this can be done by covering cheeks with hands, putting
fingertips under armpits, or placing feet under the clothing of a buddy next to
his belly. The injured part should NOT be massaged, exposed to a fire or stove,
rubbed with snow, slapped, chafed, or soaked in cold water. Walking on injured
feet should be avoided. Deep cold injury (frostbite) is very serious and requires
more aggressive first aid to avoid or to minimize the loss of parts of the fingers,
toes, hands, or feet. The sequence for treating cold injuries depends on whether
the condition is life-threatening. That is, PRIORITY is given to removing
the casualty from the cold. Other-than-cold injuries are treated either simultaneously
while waiting for evacuation to a medical treatment facility or while en route
to the facility. NOTE
The
injured soldier should be evacuated at once to a place where the affected part
can be rewarmed under medical supervision. d.
Conditions Caused by Cold. Conditions caused by cold are chilblain, immersion
syndrome (immersion foot/trench foot), frostbite, snow blindness, dehydration,
and hypothermia.
(1) Chilblain.
• Signs/Symptoms. Chilblain
is caused by repeated prolonged exposure of bare skin at temperatures from 60°F,
to 32°F, or 200F for acclimated, dry, unwashed skin. The area may be acutely
swollen, red, tender, and hot with itchy skin. There may be no loss of skin tissue
in untreated cases but continued exposure may lead to infected, ulcerated, or
bleeding lesions.
• Treatment. Within minutes, the area usually
responds to locally applied body heat. Rewarm the affected part by applying firm
steady pressure with your hands, or placing the affected part under your arms
or against the stomach of a buddy. DO NOT rub or massage affected areas. Medical
personnel should evaluate the injury, because signs and symptoms of tissue damage
may be slow to appear.
• Prevention. Prevention of chilblain depends
on basic cold injury prevention methods. Caring for and wearing the uniform properly
and staying dry (as far as conditions permit) are of immediate importance. Continue
to Immersion Syndrome |
|
