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8/3/2019 How to Avoid Cold Feet
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How to avoid cold feet
How to Avoid Cold Feet
Major Per Kristian Dahl, Centre of Excellence for Cold Weather Operations
Introduction
Throughout the centuries battles and wars have been lost because of bad weather conditions.
One of the most famous ones is Napoleons campaign against Russia in 1812. You have most
certainly heard stories from World War I and the problem the soldiers faced in the trenches
getting immersion foot (trench foot). This is for many a distant problem ignorant to the fact that
this also was a problem for soldiers during the Falklands War and still is especially for units
operating in littoral waters. This short introduction in history points out some lessons to belearned. First of all; cold weather is more than low temperatures and includes humidity as well.
Secondly; the weather conditions will recur and affect future operations as well.
Cold feet feels devastating for many soldiers since it creates more concern, reduces the
motivation and combat readiness more than anything else. I have taught some lessons
throughout the years, which I will share with you in this article. I will bring you through a short
introduction to the multilayer system. Then the article will focus on three faces; preparations
before operations, routines during activity and routines in bivouac.
Multilayer System
The multilayer system does also apply with regard to your feet. The system or starting point we
normally have in the Norwegian Army during winter conditions is two pair of socks, one thin and
one thick pair, boots and insulated waterproof overboots.
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A single layer of socks is not always sufficient. Several thin layers of socks create betterinsulation trapping air between the layers. This gives a far better insulation than just one thicklayer. The outer layer of waterproof and insulated overboots offers protection against wetness.Insulating layers of clothes in themselves do not produce any heat but retain the body heatmore or less effectively according to their characteristics.Getting wet in a cold climate should be avoided at all costs. For this reason your attention tooverheated or sweaty feet must be emphasized. The moisture or sweat your feet produce willget cold when activity stops. It can even turn to ice inside or outside your footwear. This willdraw heat from the body until it evaporates and you will get cold.The multilayer system allows you to adjust the footwear according to the activity andtemperature. If in danger of becoming overheated remove the overboots if practical (i.e. in drycold weather), change from one thin and one thick pair of socks to two thin pairs or reduce toonly one pair of socks. Always adjust the combination of footwear according to the prevailingclimate and activity.Preparations
The more you prepare the less you will freeze. The following subjects include some advices you
should consider before leaving the barracks.
Personal hygiene
Spend some time taking care of your feet. Wash them properly, cut nails and remove old/ deadskin. Removal of dead skin should be done days in advance since some will experience sore
feet immediately after. This will help prevent getting blisters during the operation and blisters are
more exposed to frost injuries.
Socks
- Types of socks. Cotton socks or socks of only synthetic fibres should be abandoned
when operating in a cold weather climate. Cotton absorbs and accumulates moisture next to the
skin during strenuous activity. It also reduces moisture penetration through layers and to the
outside. The alternatives are wool and a blend of wool and synthetic fibres. Synthetic fibres in
general absorb very little vapour and transport it away from the body, but have poor insulating
properties when wet. Wool is less durable but can absorb a great amount of vapour equal to its
own weight, transport moisture away from the body and maintains its insulating properties even
when wet.
Some state that Gore-Tex boots need special socks of synthetic fibres in order to maintain
the full breathing effect. But remember when the moisture is transported to the outside it can
freeze to ice depending on the weather conditions. Icy boots has a similarity to rubber boots
keeping all the moisture inside. You will definitely freeze without proper socks.
- Number of socks. Always carry two different types of socks, one thick type of pure wooland another thin type of a blend of wool and synthetic fibres. The pair of thin socks should at
least consist of 60% wool. This set of two different types of socks enables you to keep warm
and gives you the possibility to vary depending of the weather conditions. Carry (minimum) one
set to wear, one set of socks for sleeping and one set for emergency. Spare socks can be used
as emergency gloves or scarf if required. Remember to waterproof your spare socks inside your
backpack.
- Laundry. Wash the socks regularly to ensure that the garment is able to function properly.
This should also be done during lasting operations if the situation allows it and you have the
possibility to dry them in a heated room. It is best to wash the socks by hand. If they are washed
by machine the loop stitch will lie flat very quickly, which results in the garment life andefficiency being shortened. Wash socks inside out to ensure that you get rid of dead skin and
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dirt.
Boots
- Type of boots. I will not go into a discussion about the different types of boots and todebate what the better might be. Every kind of boots has its advantages and disadvantages
depending on the climate and weather conditions. More important is to know the limitations of
your boots and use this knowledge to solve the problem you might face. Another reason for not
debating is that most soldiers do not have a choice but use the standard e quipment issued. I
normally use our standard issued military leather boots. These boots do fit well into our
insulated overboots giving me the possibility to make the full use of the multilayer system. Not
all boots manufactured do fit into the overboot and is something you must consider if purchasing
your own boots.
- Size. What many do wrong is that they have chosen too small sized boots. The size of
your boots must be large enough to fit using two pair of socks including insoles. If your bootsfeel uncomfortable small or are so tight that the garment are under pressure it indicate that the
layers of air is reduced and the result could be cold feet. Most people have to increase their
boot size with one number (or even two) when operating in a cold weather climate. Remember
that brand new boots can cause blisters indicating that you need time to get them well used
before operations.
- Waxing. Wax your boots and gaiter straps to prevent them from freezing up and to
prevent moisture from forming. This should not be done every day as wax tends to penetrate
the leather and makes it loose some of its insulation property. It is best to do this when you see
the leather is worn.
- Insoles. One thing that is of equal importance to the chose of socks is the insoles. To myshock I have noticed that some doesnt wear insoles and still wonder why freezing. I prefer pure
wool or felt insoles. There are different types of chooses but I have ended up using a relatively
thick wool insole with very short hair. Do always check to see if your insoles are worn out and
change if needed. This should be easy to remember as your insoles should be removed every
day to be dried. For lasting operations bring a spare set of wool or felt insoles waterproofed
inside your backpack.
The Insulated Overboot
Check to see if your overboots are without damage. If damaged in any way make sure to
change or repair if possible.
In most cases the overboots do not need insoles. However, if you are in a position with no or
little activity i.e. guards duty you might consider to wear insoles to your overboots as well. This
can easily be made by cutting up an old and thin insulated groundsheet for camping and shape
it to fit your overboots creating an extra insulated layer to stand on. Remember to test this
concept in advance since this might require larger sized overboots. In addition it might cause
some inconvenience if used during walking for longer distances and should be tested in
advance as well.
When not in use, these homemade insoles should be placed easy to access and be used as
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extra insulation when seated in snow or on frozen ground.
Newspaper
One trick of the trade is to always carry with you a couple of newspapers. I always carry mine
waterproofed in the back pocket of the field uniform easy to access. Newspaper is brought with
me for two main purposes, as emergency or spare insoles and to soak up water from the boots
and overboots.
As mentioned earlier our body will continuously produce moisture or sweat which in turn will
cool down your feet. In order to reduce the humidity inside my boots during activity I normally rip
off two to three sheets of newspaper equal to the size of the insoles. These sheets are thenplaced inside the boots under the insoles and will soak up a lot of the humidity that are
produced during the day. But this require some self-discipline as you will have to check these
newspaper-insoles whenever you have the possibility and swap to dry ones when they turn too
humid.
The same principal is used if you have to replace worn out or wet wool insoles, but in this case
you should increase the thickness of the newspaper-insoles.
I do also use newspaper to remove humidity from my boots and overboots during rest or sleep.
Take off your boots and remove the insoles. Crush some sheets of newspaper and wipe out the
humidity inside your boots. Place new and dry crushed newspaper sheets inside your boots and
overboots, and leave them there to soak out the humidity absorbed by the boots.
Routines during Activity
The preparation is half the job. Self-discipline is needed during the operation by continuously
working the details in order to avoid cold feet. The advices listed below should be followed
whenever possible.
- Technical break. In the Norwegian Army there is a routine to carry out a so calledtechnical break. This break is initiated every day and just after 10 minutes of activity (10 minutes
after the march have started) and will only last for 10 minutes. This allows the soldiers to adjust
their equipment if needed. Since the greatest challenge in winter is heat regulation, this break
should be spent to regulate clothing and footwear according to temperature and work load.
Dress as economically as possible if there is a risk of becoming damp or wet.
Think the operation through. If you know your men will become wet during insertion, plan to
conduct another technical break just before the action starts in order to prevent soldiers to
freeze during lasting periods on target (combat).
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- Buddy system. Pair up and take responsibility for each other. Check each others
equipment, clothes and look for frost injuries etc. Whenever you have the chance let your buddy
check your feet for blisters, touch toes to check for reduced feeling and give advices for
improvement etc. Blisters must be treated at once.Talk together and remind each other of important details. Be honest and tell each other if
you do not feel warm any longer. This goes not only for pauses, but also during activity.
- Nutrition. Your body needs energy and water. Be aware that you not will feel as thirsty in
cold weather as in hot weather. But your body still needs the same amount of fluid to function
properly. Reduced intake of energy and fluid will affect your bodys blood circulation and heat
regulation. This can result in shivering, headache, cold hands and feet. Establish good and
regular routines!
- Evaporation. Whenever possible untie your shoes and open up to allow the humidity to
evaporate. Consider to walk with your shoes untied during periods of low activity. If practical
take off your boots for better evaporation. This allows the moisture to escape into free air andwill result in drier socks and boots. Some say that a minute or so will reduce the moisture with
up to 40% by evaporation.
- Newspaper. If using newspaper inside boots check and change if wet. Use the
opportunity to dry out as much as possible of the moisture with paper inside your boots and
overboots.
- Dress code. The moisture and dampness will be absorbed by the clothing and will make
you cold when the physical effort is reduced. Get rid of this heat and moisture by ventilation
when you stop, then closethe chimney in order to trap the warm air. During longer breaks put
on more clothes (change to dry clothes) and cover your head thoroughly. This will affect your
feet temperature as well. Damp socks can be dried using your body heat. Do so whenperforming light work. Use pockets inside the field uniform to dry socks, insoles etc. Change
back to the damp clothes after the rest. Always have a set of dry socks in case of emergency.
- Circulation. Make it a routine to move your toes when low or no activity. This will increase
the blood circulation and increase the heat. If you are still cold even with all your warm layers
on, generate your own heat by continually moving around. Do not sit on the ground as it will
drain heat from your body.
- Insulation. If you have to stand still for a longer period of time i.e. during guard duty,
place the homemade insoles cut out of groundsheet for camping into your overboots. Do also
consider to place your insulated groundsheet for sleeping on the ground to stand on. This willreduce the cooling effect from the ground to your benefit. If you still feel cold place your feet
inside a bag (emergency blanket, backpack or the cover to your sleeping bag etc.) in order to
create additional insulation by layers of air.
Remember that your body is a complex system and will reduce blood circulation to feet and
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hands in order to keep the main body parts warm. In other words, cold feet can have its origin
in an exhausted, underfed or cold body. If the temperature in rectum drops 2OC the surface
temperature in hands and feet will be reduced with up to 8OC. It is important to make sure that
your stomach, chest and head are warm in order to ensure sufficient blood circulation warming
up your hands and feet. The fact that a lot of heat is radiated from your head emphasizes theimportance to cover your head properly. Change to better headwear if your feet are cold.
Routines in Bivouac
Good and appropriate routines are vital to maintain combat readiness in a unit. This chapter will
discuss some routines to be conducted before going to sleep.
- Remove snow. Remove snow and ice from the uniform and equipment before entering aheated tent, building, vehicle etc. to avoid melting snow being absorbed by your equipment and
to avoid unnecessary dampness. A tool everybody should possess is a clothes or snow brush
easy to access.
- Reduce moisture. Take off your boots and overboots, and remove the insoles. Wipe out
the humidity. Place crushed newspaper inside your boots to soak up moisture.
- Foot inspection. Team leaders and NCOs must make sure that their units have good
routines and step up their inspections. Foot inspection must be held according to the situation,
but at least once a day. This should not be left to the individual. Use the
buddy-system, and make sure there is time enough to check their condition. Dont forget, tocheck officers and NCOs, they get frostbite too. Clean your feet by carefully rubbing them with
water, snow or a moist cloth before the inspection. This will remove dead skin and sweat. Dry
your feet properly.
- Change socks. Put on dry socks after the foot inspection. Take off dry clothes in the
morning and put on your wet clothes, they will dry out during the day. Yes, putting on wet
clothes is not very pleasant and requires self-discipline. Always have a set of dry socks in case
of emergency.
- Drying. Wet clothes should be dried in a heated room, tent, building etc. Use your time
well during the night shift to do so.
A lot of soldiers have been taught to dry clothes in their sleeping bag. It works but you need
to think it trough in order to prevent moisture being absorbed by the sleeping bag. Try only to
dry underwear, socks, insoles and gloves inside the bag, and make sure to wring it before you
put it in your sleeping bag. Boots should be kept outside the bag, under your knees. This way
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they will not freeze and remain supple. Generally you should not sleep with your boots on,
unless you absolutely have to. If you do; change your insoles, use newspaper and put on dry
socks. Dry your damp insoles/socks by placing them under your armpits.
- Sleep. Warm feet and a warm head/ neck makes you sleep better. Fill your water bottle
with hot water and place it inside your sleeping bag, make sure that its not leaking.Use your field jacket as a blanket covering the sleeping bag. This will create an extra insulated
layer of air.
Closure
It is vital that each soldier and particularly each NCO and officer has been taught proper use of
cold weather clothing in various conditions and enforces good routines. This requires
knowledge of how the human body produces heat and how the choice of correct clothing can
regulate and maintain the heat according to the activity taking place.There are no short cuts. It is not possible to buy your way past the problem. There is no
equipment that will keep you warm if you dont use it properly or take the right precautions.
Such equipment isnt invented. More important than equipment is self-discipline. The struggle to
avoid cold feet is a battle against humidity!
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