Cold Injuries
Cold injuries can develop quietly. A wet glove, a tight boot, a long pause in the wind, or exhaustion can turn an ordinary outing into a medical emergency. The key is to notice changes early and act before the body loses its ability to keep you warm. Today, we’ll look at the main cold injuries, what to watch for, and how to reduce the risks in the field.
First, recognize hypothermia. It happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, and it can occur even in cool, wet weather—not just in deep winter. Early signs may include persistent shivering, clumsiness, slowed thinking, and slurred speech. As it worsens, shivering can stop, and the person may become confused, unusually sleepy, or unresponsive. Treat those changes seriously. Get the person out of wind and wet, insulate them from the ground, replace wet clothing with dry layers if possible, and warm the center of the body. Offer a warm, sweet drink only if they’re alert and able to swallow. Severe symptoms need urgent medical help. Handle a severely hypothermic person gently, and don’t rely on them to assess their own condition.
Second, frostbite affects tissue that has frozen, most often on fingers, toes, ears, cheeks, and the nose. Numbness is a warning sign, but damaged skin may also look pale, waxy, or unusually firm. Don’t rub the area, massage it with snow, or put it near a fire or heater; numb skin can burn without the person noticing. Protect it from further cold and seek medical care. Rewarming is safest when there’s no risk of the area freezing again, because refreezing can cause severe damage. If professional care is available, follow medical guidance rather than improvising.
A third problem is non-freezing cold injury, sometimes called trench foot, which can follow prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions. The feet may become numb, swollen, painful, or discolored, and symptoms can intensify as they warm. Prevention matters: keep feet as dry as conditions allow, change socks when you can, and avoid boots that restrict circulation. If you suspect this injury, move to a warm, dry place, remove wet footwear, and arrange medical assessment. Don’t aggressively heat or rub affected feet.
Prevention is the field skill that makes the biggest difference. Dress in adjustable layers, protect hands, feet, and head, and keep spare dry insulation sealed from rain. Eat and drink regularly; fatigue and dehydration can undermine your ability to stay warm and make good decisions. Check each other, not just yourselves. A companion who becomes quiet, clumsy, or strangely indifferent may be in trouble before they say so. If the weather turns, shorten the route, seek shelter, or turn back early—good judgement is part of survival, not a failure of toughness.
Cold injuries are easier to prevent than to treat. Learn the warning signs, keep clothing dry and unrestrictive, and respond promptly when someone’s coordination, sensation, or thinking changes. In cold conditions, small decisions—adding a layer, stopping to eat, or turning around—can protect both health and the rest of the journey.
