1. Cold WX Injury Awareness Stephen Sammons Alaska EMT 2 1

2. Cold WX Hypothermia Frost/Flash (Thermal) Injuries Treatment/Prevention 2

3. Hypothermia Is a life threatening condition. Is defined by core body temperature and physiologic responses Does not have to be below freezing 3

4. Hypothermia Dehydration and Fatigue increases the likelihood of onset Cold-wet conditions are most likely to bring it on Cold water immersion can induce hypothermia 4

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7. Hypothermia TX Prevention Adequate caloric intake (4000-6000 Kcal/day) Proper attire Rest 7

8. Frost Injuries Chilblains (Wind Burns) Immersion Injuries (Trench Foot) Flash frost injuries Frostbite (Superficial and Deep) 8

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14. Immersion Syndrome Prevention Appropriate footwear (shoes and socks for the climate) Changing socks routinely Powder feet 14

15. Flash Frost Injuries (Contact Frostbite) A rapid transfer of heat from an area of the body to another object A.Fluid spills on bare skin (fluids that remain liquid below freezing) that evaporate removing heat B.Rapid cooling of surface temperature by touch Keep body surfaces covered Requires medical treatment Treatment similar to thermal burns 15

16. Frostbite Superficial Deep 16

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18. Superficial Frostbite Upper layers of skin Numbness Soft and pliable Light skin turns white, waxy and pale Darker skin turns red, pale or darkened 18

19. Deep Frostbite Can be down to the bone Blisters form as tissue is rewarmed Skin color is similar to superficial frostbite Skin is no longer pliable and dents to pressure 19

20. Frostbite If you haven't seen enough 20

21. Treatment of Frostbite Prevent Remove the Threat: Evacuate v. Shelter in Place Superficial: remove the threat to the tissue, rewarm slowly Deep: remove the threat to the tissue, Do not rewarm if there is a potential to refreeze! Do not use friction to rewarm frosbitten parts! Observe and re-assess for repeat injury 21

22. Frostbite vs. Hypothermia Frostbite takes place in the outer layers, starting with the skin, then progresses through layers on into the bone Hypothermia takes place in the body's core Frostbite has anatomical effects primarily, while Hypothermia has physiological effects Prevention is the same, treatment is different 22

23. Bibliography State of Alaska. Cold Injuries Guidelines. Department of Health & Human Services. 2003. United States Army. Cold Weather Student Handout. Northern Warfare Training Center, USARAK. (2011) 23

24. Cold WX Injury Awareness Questions? Comments. Suggestions. Keep remarks to yourself! 24