Citation

Candler WH, Ivey H. Mil. Med. 1997; 162(12): 788-791.

Affiliation

Preventive Medicine Department, U.S. Army MEDDAC-AK, Fort Wainwright 99703, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9433082

Abstract

Cold weather injury (CWI) reports covering 272 U.S. Army soldiers from September 1990 to May 1995 were reviewed. First- and second-degree frostbite accounted for 99.3% of all injuries. Although some soldiers had extensive lost duty time from their injuries, no one suffered tissue loss during the 5-year period. Fifty-one percent of injuries occurred during field training. Thirty-six percent occurred while engaging in garrison activities, including physical training, which accounted for 15% of all CWIs. Twelve percent of all injuries occurred during off-duty time. Seventy-one percent of CWIs occurred when the wind-chill factor was at or below -20 degrees F (-29 degrees C). Male African-American soldiers appear to be significantly more susceptible to frostbite than male Caucasian soldiers, especially with regard to frostbite of the distal extremities (relative risk = 3.94; 95% confidence interval = 2.77-5.59). Other identified risk factors include inadequate clothing, wet clothing, dehydration, inactivity, fatigue, and previous CWIs.