Arctic Cold Weather Medicine and Accidental Hypothermia.

摘要

Arctic ice camp diving operations require routine and emergency medical care to be provided by a U.S. Navy Corpsman trained as a Diving Medical Technician (DMT). This report will discuss common medical illnesses and injuries that occur in the Arctic. It is based on a review of medical and operational literature and a recent deployment to the Arctic. Topics discussed in this report include: cold acclimatization, recommendations for staying warm, conducting sick call and common medical problems such as dehydration, skin conditions, upper respiratory conditions, cold injuries including nonfreezing cold injury and frostbite, eye conditions, infectious diseases, psychological stresses, and common accidents and injuries encountered in the Arctic. Due to much controversy in the medical and lay literature, the field treatment of hypothermia is discussed separately, reviewing both medical research and current treatment guidelines. Keywords: Hypothermia, Cold, First aid, Medical support, Arctic cold weather medicine, Accidental hypothermia, Diving operations. (JG)