Cold Stress and Hypothermia Quiz

Cold Stress

• Cold stress occurs when skin and internal body temperature drop, leading to serious health problems and potentially death
• Factors influencing cold stress include: air temperature, body temperature, air movement, body movement, and duration of exposure
• Body's response to cold: most energy is used to keep internal core temperature warm. Blood flow shifts from extremities to the core, cooling exposed skin and extremities quickly, increasing risk of frostbite and hypothermia
• Common cold-induced illnesses/injuries: hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, chilblains

Hypothermia

• Warning signs: confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness, stiff muscles
• First aid: seek immediate medical help. Move the person to a warm place. Remove wet clothes and cover the body with layers of blankets (with vapor barrier if appropriate), don't cover the face. Administer warm sweetened drinks (no alcohol) if person is alert. Apply warm bottles/packs to armpits, chest sides, and groin.

Frostbite

• Definition: Freezing injury to skin and underlying tissues. Occurrence rate increases with lower temperatures
• Affects: Primarily extremities (feet, hands)
• Symptoms: numbness, tingling/stinging, pain, bluish/pale waxy skin; blisters (severe cases)
• First aid: DO NOT rub affected area. Loosely cover. Do not rewarm before medical help. Rewarming by medical professionals is safer. Warm sweetened drinks (no alcohol) if alert.

Trench Foot

• Cause: Prolonged exposure to wet, cold temperatures (can occur at temperatures as high as 60°F)
• Mechanism: Non-freezing injury. Wet feet lose heat much faster than dry feet. Body constricts blood vessels to conserve heat, reducing oxygen and nutrients to the feet. Tissue can die due to lack of oxygen.
• Prevention: Keep feet dry, change wet socks frequently, use waterproof footwear, let feet warm up if feeling cold.

Trench Foot Symptoms

• Redness, numbness, leg cramps, swelling, blisters/ulcers, bleeding under skin, gangrene (dark purple/blue/gray coloration)

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

• Classification (diagram included) ranges from intact skin to gangrene of the entire foot

Immersion Foot

• First aid: Seek immediate medical help, remove wet shoes/socks, dry the feet, avoid walking.

Chilblains

• Cause: Repeated exposure to skin temperatures just above freezing (up to 60°F)
• Definition: painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin
• Symptoms: redness, itching, possible blistering, inflammation; possible ulceration in severe cases

Chilblains First Aid

• Avoid scratching, slowly warm the skin, use corticosteroid creams to relieve discomfort/swelling, keep blisters/ulcers covered and clean

Safety Tips for Workers

• General: Know the cold stress symptoms, monitor coworkers' physical condition, take regular warm-up breaks, dress appropriately for the cold, stay dry (prevent heat loss from sweating).
• Worksite: Keep extra warm clothing (underwear included) nearby, drink warm sweetened beverages (no alcohol), avoid touching cold surfaces with exposed skin, use proper engineering controls and PPE as provided by employer.