Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What causes cold stress?
Cold stress is primarily caused by cold temperatures, but other risks include strong winds (which contributes to wind chill), rain, ice, snow, hail, and other sources of wetness.
What is the cold stress equation?
Cold temperatures plus wind speed plus wetness equals injuries, illnesses, and cold-related problems.
What serious conditions can cold stress lead to?
Cold stress can lead to frostbite, trench foot, and hypothermia, all of which are serious.
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a type of cold stress in which a person's skin, or the tissues underneath, freeze. This can happen when a person is exposed to cold temperatures and the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.
What is trench foot?
Trench foot is caused when feet are exposed to wet and cold conditions for long periods. This is also known as immersion foot.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a type of cold stress in which the core body temperature drops from the normal 98.6 degrees F (37 °C) to 95 °F (35 °C) or below. Hypothermia can lead to death.