Cold
Information on policies, reports and guidelines for surviving and performing in cold environments.
Cold injuries have played a major role in the loss of combat efficiency, and fatalities from cold exposure occur in almost all types of military operations. This section provides awareness of symptoms and management of cold injury.
Position Statements
This area contains any formal positions adopted by the military to advise warfighters on preventing or dealing with cold injuries.
Prevention of Cold Injuries during Exercise [PDF]
This evidence-based review provides guidance to enable individuals exercising in the cold to avoid injury.
Policies and Reports
Here are general guidelines for performing as well and safely as possible in cold environments.
Sustaining Health and Performance in the Cold [PDF]
This document provides general guidelines for cold weather operations.
TB MED 508: Prevention and Management of Cold-Weather Injuries
Resources
Resources for information on performing safely and optimally in cold and freezing environments.
USARIEM Cold Weather-Related Injury Prevention
USACHPPM and the US Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) have developed valuable cold weather-related injury prevention materials, including useful guidelines, publications, training aids, and presentations, as well as policies.
Prevention and Treatment of Heat and Cold Stress Injuries [PDF]
This technical manual provides current Navy knowledge on heat and cold stress injuries, including their causes, prevention, treatment, and effects.
Institute of Medicine's Nutritional Needs in Cold and High-Altitude Environments
Applications for Military Personnel in Field Operations
Cold Injury Prevention
The United States Army Public Health Command web page on Cold Injury Prevention provides information to help Warfighters cope with cold environments, including how to prevent injuries and casualties. Links to additional sources of information are available on the associated Resource Materials page; note that most of these require CAC or AKO/DKO log-in.
Sun Safety
Although normally associated with hot environments, sun exposure can also be a serious issue in cold environments. The United States Army Public Health Command has a web page that addresses sun safety regardless of the temperature or altitude.
Wearing Army Combat Boots in Cold Weather
Keeping your feet warm and dry is one of the essentials to maintaining performance in cold environments. The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine has developed a fact sheet on the various types of Army combat boots available.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of Tactical Importance to U.S. Central Command
This U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Technical Guide 273 includes detailed information on cold-weather injuries, primarily targeted for health professionals.
