Cold-Weather Operations:
Sun, Wind, Rain, Snow and Low Humidity

Besides cold temperatures, other environmental stressors will be encountered during cold-weather operations. For example, winter operations in the coastal regions of the eastern United States (or even the Arabian Gulf of Southwest Asia) may be conducted during periods of near-freezing temperatures, rain and wind. Heavy snow may be encountered during winter operations in areas of northern Europe and America, and throughout the year in mountainous regions. In desert, arctic, and high altitude regions, very low temperatures are often accompanied by high winds, low humidity, very bright sun, or a combination of those conditions. The influence of wind and rain on the severity of cold stress has been discussed in the last section. However, sun, wind, snow, rain and low humidity each present environmental health threats in and of themselves.

Understanding the Problems:

1. Exposure of unprotected skin and eyes to sunlight may cause sunburn and snow blindness.
   1. The threat of sunburn and snow blindness depends on the intensity of sunlight, not the air temperature.

   2. Snow, ice, and lightly colored objects reflect the sun's rays, increasing the potential for injury.

   3. Sunburned skin will appear red, hot to the touch, possibly swollen and blistered, and will be painful.

   4. Solar radiation can "sunburn" unprotected eyes, resulting in snow blindness. Sunburned eyes are painful. There is often a gritty feeling, profuse tearing, blurred vision, and headache.

   5. Sunburn and snow blindness can last hours to days, and can cause temporary incapacitation.

2. Cold weather is often accompanied by winds and low humidity.
   1. Wind-blown debris entering the eyes can lead to eye irritation, injury, and infection.

   2. Low humidity and windy conditions cause drying of the lining (mucous membranes) of the nose, mouth, and throat, causing nosebleeds, sore throat, and minor respiratory difficulties. Low humidity and wind can dry and cause chapping of the skin, increasing the sensitivity to sunburn and chaffing.

3. Working in snow, ice, or mud is very strenuous. Building fighting positions and moving troops requires more time and physical effort. Digging may be very difficult or impossible in frozen ground.

FIRST AID FOR OVEREXPOSURE TO SUN AND WIND: PREVENT FURTHER EXPOSURE TREAT MILD SUNBURN, WINDBURN AND CHAPPING WITH MOISTURIZING LOTIONS, AND ASPIRIN OR TYLENOL, BUT EVACUATE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IF LARGE AREAS OF SKIN ARE INJURED OR BLISTERED FOR SNOW BLINDNESS, HAVE VICTIM REST IN DARK AREA WITH EYES COVERED WITH COOL, WET BANDAGES UNTIL EVACUATED

Coping with the Problems:

1. Prevent overexposing skin and eyes to solar radiation and wind.
   1. Using sunscreen which contains para amino benzoic acid (PABA) or other chemicals capable of blocking ultraviolet radiation (at least 15 Sun Protection Factor) and covering exposed skin will prevent most sunburns. In cold weather, use alcohol-free sunscreen lotion (Sunscreen Prep, NSN 6505-01-121-2336).

   2. The use of protective eyewear (Sunglasses, Polarized, NSN 8465-00-161-9415) or goggles that block at least 90% of ultraviolet radiation helps to prevent snow blindness. Not all commercially available sunglasses block enough solar radiation to protect against snow blindness.

   3. Chapped lips and skin can be prevented through the use of lip balm (Cold Climate Lipstick, Antichap, NSN 6508-01-277-2903) and limiting exposure of skin to the environment. Skin moisturizing lotion may help the skin retain water.

   4. Covering the nose and mouth using a balaclava or scarf will limit the drying of mucous membranes.

Source: SUSTAINING HEALTH & PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS