a. Wear Clothing Properly.
(1) Wear adequate clothing. Wear an adequate amount of properly fitting
clothes as directed by your commander. Wear your gloves or mittens (with inserts) to
protect your hands and wrists.
(2) Layer clothing. The clothing should be worn in loose layers. Layering
clothing allows air to be trapped inside the clothing. This trapped air helps to slow down
the loss of heat produced by the body. Loose clothing also helps to promote blood
circulation. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients that cells need in order to produce
heat.
(3) Keep clothing dry. When clothing becomes wet, it loses its ability to
keep the body warm. One way that clothing becomes wet is by absorbing perspiration.
You should, therefore, try to prevent excessive sweating whenever possible. If you
have some hard work to do, remove a layer or two of clothing before starting the work in
order to reduce sweating. When you have completed your work, replace the dry
clothing that you removed.
WARNING
Do not remove protective clothing in a chemical environment.
(4) Keep clothing clean. Launder clothing regularly. Dirty or wet clothing
adds to the cold injury process.
b. Exercise Your Muscles. When your body performs work, heat is produced.
Exercise the large muscle groups (shoulders, trunk, and legs) to produce heat and to
increase blood circulation.
(1) If your situation prevents excessive movement, change positions
frequently, move your feet, wiggle your toes, and exercise your arms, hands, and
fingers. Tighten and relax arm and leg muscles, fingers, and toes.
(2)
Use your hands to massage and warm your face.
(3)
Refrain from smoking; it restricts blood flow to the skin.
NOTE:
Physical and mental weariness contribute to inactivity, reduced heat,
and increased chance for cold injury.
IS0877
9-14
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