The Navy SEAL Physical Fitness Guide - Uniformed Services ...

How to avoid freezing injuries" Dress appropriately and keep hands and feet as dry as possible." Do not touch metal with bare hands/skin. Tape frequently touched metals toreduce this risk." Wear protective goggles when exposed to high wind speeds such as in snowmobiles,aircraft, skiers." Use the “buddy system” to check each other for unprotected skin.Immersion FootAlso known as “trench foot”, this nonfreezing foot injury results in tissue and nervedamage after prolonged exposure of wet feet to the cold (32 to 50° F). Immersion foot canbe prevented by keeping feet as dry as possible and by avoiding tight fitting boots.Nutritional RequirementsSpecial attention should be paid to nutritional requirements in cold environments.Energy requirements may increase several fold because of the increased work associatedwith performing physical tasks in cold weather and the caloric losses to shivering whichcan rapidly deplete glycogen stores. Carbohydrates are an excellent source of energy forreplenishing depleted glycogen. Refer to the U.S. Navy SEAL Nutrition Guide for specificnutritional needs during cold weather operations.Summary for a Cold Environment" Check weather conditions and dress appropriately." Allow for a longer warm up." Avoid profuse sweating." Replenish body fuel (carbohydrates) during endurance events." Maintain hydration." Avoid drugs that cause dehydration: alcohol, caffeine." Be aware of the signs of cold injury." Use gentle rewarming for hypothermia victims.The Navy SEAL Physical Fitness Guide 193