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KLE/NFELOER (�H e a l t h& Safety Procedure HSP-5-09 Version 10 COLD STRESS Number: Number: Published 5/4/2018 Revised N/A Date: Date: fully conscious. Do not give beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Give warm broth or water. Monitor airways, breathing, and circulation. 5-09.5.2 Frostbite Frostbite can occur without hypothermia when the extremities do not receive sufficient heat from central body stores. This can occur because of inadequate circulation and/or because of inadequate insulation. Frostbite occurs when there is freezing of the fluids around the cells of the body tissues. This freezing is from exposure to extremely low temperatures and can result in damage to and loss of tissue. The most vulnerable parts of the body are the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes. Damage from frostbite can affect the outer layers of skin only, or it can include tissue beneath these outer layers. Damage from frostbite can be serious; scarring, tissue death, and amputation are all possibilities, as is permanent loss of movement in the affected parts. The freezing point of skin is about—10C (300F). As wind velocity increases, heat loss is greater and frostbite will occur more rapidly. If skin should come in contact with objects colder than freezing, frostbite may develop at the point of contact, even in a warm environment. There are three degrees of frostbite: first degree, which is freezing without blistering or peeling; second degree, which is freezing with blistering or peeling; and third degree, which is freezing with death of skin tissues and possibly of deeper tissues. 5-09.5.2.1 Symptoms Symptoms of frostbite include the following: • the skin changes color to white or grayish-yellow, progresses to reddish-violet, and finally turns black as the tissue dies; • pain may be felt at first, but subsides; • blisters may appear; and • the affected part is cold and numb. When frostbite of the outer layer of skin occurs, the skin has a waxy or whitish look and is firm to the touch (the tissue underneath is still resilient). In cases of deep frostbite, the tissues are cold, pale, and solid. Injury is severe. The first symptom of frostbite is usually an uncomfortable sensation of coldness, followed by numbness. There may be a tingling, stinging or aching feeling, or even cramping pains. The victim is often unaware of the frostbite until someone else observes the Symptoms. Copyright 2019 Kleinfelder, Inc. Page 3 of 11 Important: When modifying this document, update properties with your name, date, and nature of changes made.