Human performance and medical treatment during cold weather operations – synthesis of a symposium

Figures & data

Table 1. Presentations at the symposium, October 2022.

Introduction Haugom J. Keynote: Training for cold weather operations in the NATO Center of Excellence for Cold Weather Operations Potter A. Frozen Russian soldiers in Ukraine Stromberg E. Basis of the U.S. cold weather ration Preparation for operations in the cold Kingma B. We are all exposed to the same environment, but some are more exposed than others Weller A. Aircrew glove cold protection: defining thermal requirements accounting for loss of manual dexterity Teien H. Training videos to prevent cold weather injury Xu X. Development of interactive guidance for warfighters in cold using thermal models Norheim A. Position paper: Classification of freezing cold injuries Van de Laar D. Demonstration: immersive cold weather experience Brain and cognitive function in the cold Kallinen K. Cognitive performance among Finnish paratroopers during and after 20-day winter military field training Dunn T. Low hand temperature predicts individual differences in cognitive adaptability during cold water immersion Zheng W. Altered neural network oscillations and impaired cognitive performance during military cold water immersion Cold immersion and diving issues Sullivan-Kwantes W. Extremity cooling during Op NU 2019 Saunders S. Scoping study of the thermal strain experienced by UK military dive support boat personnel Wheelock C. Prediction of the decrease in core temperature during cold-water immersion in thermally protected men and women Lundell R. The human diving responses to arctic diving – assessment of ANS activity with heart rate Jones D. Prevalence of hypothermia and critical hand temperatures during military cold water immersion training Wittnam D. Keynote: Training for cold weather operations at the US Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Metabolic balance and stress of field training in the cold Ojanen T. Physiological changes during a 20-day winter military training course and its subsequent 10-day recovery Pihlainen K. Effects of paratroopers’ initial body composition on changes in physical performance and recovery during a 20-day winter military field training Vaara J. Can physiological and psychological factors predict dropout from intense 1-day winter military survival training? Margolis L. Fueling performance for cold-weather military operations Freezing cold injuries and their treatment Steinberg T. Freezing cold injuries in the Norwegian Armed Forces between 2004 and 2021 Lowe J. Iloprost at the point of injury? A literature review. Norheim A. Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of frostbite sequelae – a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled pilot study Lechner R. Control of major bleeding by application of tourniquets over clothing in cold weather warfare Kölegård R. Acral skin vasoreactivity and thermosensitivity to hand cooling following short-term, whole-body cold acclimation Poole A. Keynote: Clinical experience with iloprost in the treatment of freezing cold injury Rund T. U.S. perspective on medical issues and training for Arctic operations Medical training and treatment planning for medicine in austere cold environments Lowe J. Optimising “reachback” capabilities to maintain operational effectiveness – lessons from military practice Howes RJ. Developing a bespoke extreme cold weather medical course for UK forces operating in the Arctic Ferraby D & Hayhurst D. MSKI in UK service personnel and the impact of in-theatre rehabilitation during cold weather warfare training

Figure 1. Factors that contribute to warfighters’ performance.