![]() Common sense dictates that in colder freezing weather, we cool down much faster. Respiration causes body heat to be lost as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled thus cooling the body. In cold weather, this is one of the leading causes of heat loss from the human body. Heat can also be gained by radiation, for example, when a person stands by a fire or in bright sunlight. The body can lose heat by radiation, such as when a person stands in a cold room. Radiant energy is a type of invisible light that transfers heat. Radiation is the transfer of heat by radiant energy, such as infrared heat waves from our human body. Use appropriate sweat-wicking clothing as discussed later in this article. If a SWAT officer becomes wet from sweating and then stands quietly, especially with non-wicking clothing like cotton T-shirts and underwear, it is possible for hypothermia to occur even when the temperature is 50☏ (10☌). The temperature does not have to be below freezing for hypothermia to occur. The problem occurs when they then are forced to stand or lay quietly in a fixed position for an hour or two and thus cool down. Tactical officers with heavy gear and ballistic protection will easily sweat inside or while running or climbing into position. Evaporation is the natural mechanism by which sweating (perspiration) cools the body. A person standing outside in windy winter weather and wearing lightweight clothing is losing heat to the environment.Įvaporation is the conversion of any liquid to a gas, a process that requires energy, or heat. Heat passes directly from the body to the colder object.Ĭonvection occurs when body heat is transferred to circulating cooler air, such as when outside standing between several buildings on a windy day. Heat transfer can occur in five ways: Conduction, Convection, Evaporation, Radiation, and Respiration.Ĭonduction is the direct transfer of heat from a part of the body to a colder object by direct contact, such as when a warm hand touches cold metal of our weapons or icy pavement. The body can also gain heat from the environment. Because heat always travels from a warmer place to a cooler place, the body tends to lose heat to the cooler environment when in certain climates. Officers become combat ineffective and are a liability to the team. The definition of hypothermia is an inner core temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. When the core body temperature falls, hypo (low) thermia (temperature) occurs. ![]() ![]() Cold exposure may cause injury to individual parts of the body, such as the feet, hands, ears, or nose, or to the body as a whole. If the body is exposed to cold environments and fails to maintain a normal temperature of approximately 98.6 degrees F, these mechanisms will start shutting down and fail. Normal body temperature must be maintained within a very narrow range for the body’s chemistry to work efficiently. A quick review of the basics and then we will list the key clothing and equipment to consider that will maintain body warmth and optimize our preparedness. We as LEOs and TMPs cannot afford to be unprepared. Poor preparation in hot or cold weather extremes can lead to disaster. Cold weather can slow the tactical thinking to the point where the unprepared tactical officer may either make a mistake and touch off a round at the wrong time or may be killed or injured due to slow mentation and delayed problem solving. ![]() To make matters worse, cold weather can cause a deterioration of finger sensation (numbness), and whole-body cooling (hypothermia) that will dull the senses. Even with global warming, many of us will face the challenge of cold weather operational deployments.Ĭold weather kills. The tactical officer and other LEOs and TMPs when deployed do not have many options for avoiding cold weather when it is 20 degrees F on a windy night and the time for proper preparation has ended. Wipfler condenses his experience into recommendations on the necessary cold-weather gear and reasoning behind acquiring and using it. ![]() Proper preparation and a baseline knowledge of how to prevent cold injuries will do much to improve the likelihood of mission success.Īs cooler weather approaches in most areas of our country, the author will list the key components of "dressing for success." As an emergency physician, Professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Major (retired) with 14 years in the US Army Medical Corps, tactical physician for 28 years SWAT missions, and experienced mountain climber, Dr. This article deals with cold weather and the injuries that can be produced. The law enforcement officer (LEO) and tactical medical providers (TMP) and others involved in high threat operations faces challenges in every direction when deployed. Chair, Tactical Emergency Medicine Section ![]()
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