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The following pull down menu box will direct you to the major sections of the CWO (Cold Weather Operations) guide.
 History is filled with examples of the significant impact of cold on military operations. Among U.S. Army and Army Air Force troops, there were over 90,000 cold injuries requiring medical treatment during World War II, and another 10,000 during the Korean War, accounting for 10% of all casualties experienced during these conflicts. German casualties due to cold injury during World War II were comparable or greater than experienced by the U.S. Army. Given that the average air temperature recorded when cold injuries were experienced during World War II was 30°F, and that temperatures this low are experienced over about 60% of the earth’s surface, leaders must appreciate cold-weather effects on Soldier health and performance. Prevention of cold injuries is the responsibility of commanders at all levels.
During cold weather, the environment can directly affect an individual’s health and performance. Cold can lower body temperature, resulting in cold injuries and impaired performance. Moreover, cold weather is often accompanied by wind, rain, snow and ice, which can worsen the effects of cold, as well as contribute to injury and performance impairments in and of themselves. Cold-weather conditions impair many aspects of normal military functioning in the field, which can in turn influence Soldier health and performance. Food and water problems are common during cold weather, since requirements are high and supply is difficult. Cold weather contributes to increased disease and non-battle injury, since maintaining proper field sanitation and personal hygiene is difficult, sick and injured individuals are susceptible to cold injuries, and the use of indoor stoves may lead to burns or suffocation. Operational problems often arise in cold weather. Heavy clothing restricts movements, equipment often malfunctions, travel can be difficult, cold-weather clothing and NBC protective clothing and equipment are difficult to integrate, and fogging and freezing of eyepieces and windows occur frequently. While cold makes military tasks more difficult, it does not make them impossible. Viewing cold as a challenge to be overcome is the key to the positive attitude required to successfully complete the mission. The purpose of this portion of HOOAH 4 HEALTH is to describe how the environmental conditions stress Soldier health and performance during cold weather operations, and to explain ways of overcoming that stress.
Additional Materials:
Headquarters, Department of the Army TB-MED 508, April 2005 "Prevention and Management of Cold Weather Injuries"  - 1.84 MB
CHPPM’s downloadable Cold Weather Injuries Material:
Card
Poster
Injury Chart
Presentation Information Courtesy of U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Reference Technical Note No. 92-2 Source: SUSTAINING HEALTH & PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS
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