APPENDIX C
RISK MANAGEMENT STEPS FOR PREVENTING COLD CASUALTIES FOR USE BY COMMANDERS, SENIOR NCOs, AND INSTRUCTORS
C-l. Introduction
A comprehensive cold weather injury prevention and management program will follow the principles of risk management by identifying hazards, assessing the hazards in terms of severity and probability, and implementing appropriate controls to abate the hazards. Spotchecking and supervision by first-line leaders must be employed to ensure control measures are being implemented. Units train using risk-management principles; therefore commanders and leaders will apply the same framework to prevent cold weather injuries. Cold-casualty prevention is a command responsibility. This appendix provides information that will assist in presenting cold weather injury prevention in this format. A more detailed guide on risk management of cold casualties can be obtained from http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/coldinjury.
C-2. Identifying hazards
Cold weather may present a hazard if any one of the following is present:
a. Cold (temperature 40 of and below).
b. Wetness (rain, snow, ice, humidity) or wet clothes at temperatures below 60 °f. c. Wind (wind speed 5 mph and higher).
d. Lack of adequate shelter/clothing. e. Lack of provisions/water.
f. Other risk factors, such as-
(1) Previous cold injuries or other significant injuries. (2) Use of tobacco/nicotine or alcohol.
(3) Skipping meals/poor nutrition. (4) Low activity.
(5) fatigue/sleep deprivation.
(6) Little experience/training in cold weather operations. (7) Cold casualties in the previous 2 to 3 days.
C-3. Assessing hazards
The potential for cold casualties can be assessed by determining-
a. The magnitude of cold exposure. Reliable measurement equipment must be used to determine-
(1) Air temperature (thermometer). (2) Wind speed (anemometer).
(3) Wetness.
(4) Weather forecast (local weather station or another source such as the worldwide web). b. The readiness of troops. Soldiers must have-
(1) Proper gear (appropriate clothing in good condition (clean and without stains, holes or blemishes that could decrease the insulation)).
(2) Adequate shelter. (3) Proper fitness.
(4) Proper food and hydration.
c. Mission-related concerns, to include-
(l) Degree of mobility, which impacts on soldier heat generation.
(2) Contact with ground or other surfaces that may increase conductive cooling. (3) Exposure to wet conditions (for example, st