Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are cramps of stomach, arm, or leg muscles. They occur when a person sweats a lot and has not consumed extra water.

Heat Exhaustion

A victim of heat exhaustion may have a headache and be dizzy, faint, and weak. He has cool, pale (gray), moist (sweaty) skin and loss of appetite. Move him to a shady area or improvise shade and have him lie down. Loosen or remove clothing and boots, pour water on him, and fan him if it is hot. Elevate his legs and have him slowly drink at least one canteen of water. The patient should not participate in further strenuous activity and should be evacuated if symptoms persist.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly. It is caused by failure of the body’s cooling mechanisms. Inadequate sweating is a factor. The casualty’s skin is flushed, hot, and dry. He may experience dizziness, confusion, headaches, seizures, and nausea, and his respiration and pulse may be weak. Cool the casualty immediately by moving him to a shaded area. Remove outer clothing, pour water on him or immerse him in water, and fan him to permit the cooling effect of evaporation. Massage his skin, elevate his legs, and have him slowly drink water. Get him to a medical facility as soon as possible.

COLD INJURIES

Cold injuries occur when the body loses heat. They can cause the loss of toes, fingers, feet, ears, and so on.

Frostbite

If body heat is lost quickly and the tissues actually freeze, the injury is called frostbite. Frostbite usually affects the face, hands, or feet. There may be no pain. Frostbitten parts of the body become grayish or white and lose feeling. Use the buddy system to watch each other for signs of frostbite.

Treat frostbite by removing the casualty’s clothing (boots, gloves, socks) and thawing the area by placing it next to a warm part of his or somebody else’s body. Warm (not hot) water may be used. Remove constrictive clothing that interferes with circulation. Do not rewarm by walking, massage, exposure to open fire, cold water, or rubbing with snow. After the part has been warmed, protect it from further injury by covering it lightly with a blanket or dry clothing. Do not use ointments or other medications.

Trenchfoot (Immersion Foot)

Trenchfoot or immersion foot resembles frostbite but occurs when the feet are exposed to cold and wet conditions. (See the foot care section below.)

Prevention of Cold Injuries

Cold injuries can be prevented by proper leadership and by training in conserving body heat.

Leadership—command interest—is essential. Personnel must be taught how to prevent cold injuries. Reduce their exposure to cold, wet, and wind when possible. Rotate individuals and units to warming tents. Provide changes of dry clothing, hot food, and drinks.

Individuals can take the following steps:

•Do not stand in wet positions—build them up with branches and the like.

•Carry extra dry socks and change after marching or standing.

•Remove cold and wet boots and socks before going to sleep.

•Sleep back to back with a buddy to prevent loss of body heat.

•Massage the feet several times daily, especially when changing socks.

•Do not touch bare metal with bare skin.

To dress properly, remember C-O-L-D:

C: Keep clean. Dirty clothing has less insulating quality.

O: Avoid overheating. Overheating causes sweating, and clothing wet from sweat causes cold injury.

L: Wear loose clothing in layers. Warm air is trapped between layers and acts as insulation. Tight clothing, boots, and gloves leave no room for a warm air layer or for the exercise of fingers and toes and may act as a tourniquet to shut off circulation.

D: Keep dry. Dry clothing retains heat; wet clothing conducts heat away from the body.

SNAKEBITES

Keep the bitten person quiet and do not let him walk or run. Kill the snake, if possible, and keep it for identification. If the bite is on an extremity, do not elevate the limb; keep it level with the body. If the bite is on an arm or leg, place a constricting band (narrow gauze bandage) one to two finger widths above and below the bite. If the bite is on a hand or foot, place the band above the wrist or ankle.

The band should be tight enough to stop the flow of blood near the skin, but not so tight as to interfere with circulation. It should not have a tourniquet-like effect. Get the casualty to medical treatment as soon as possible.

FOOT CARE

Socks

Wash and dry socks daily. Start each day with a fresh pair. After crossing a wet area, dry your feet, put on foot powder, and change socks if the situation permits. Avoid worn or tight-fitting socks. Carry an extra pair in a pack or inside the shirt.

Blisters

Wash the area, open and drain the blister, and cover the area with adhesive tape.

Athlete’S Foot

Keep feet clean and dry. Use foot powder.

^* Text on CLS and combat casualty care procedures in the field written by Raffaele Di Giorgio, TCCC.

15

Combat Intelligence

One of the most important aspects of patrolling operations is the gathering of up-to-date intelligence. This chapter covers the standard method of what information to collect and how to report it.

REPORTING

All information should be quickly, completely, and accurately reported. Use the SALUTE report format for reporting and recording information:

Size (how many enemy?)

Activity (what where they doing?)

Location (enemy’s grid location)

Unit/uniform (what where they wearing?)

Time (exact time)

Equipment (what weapons and equipment?)

A vital aspect of the intelligence report are any tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that the enemy is using in the patrol area.

FIELD SKETCHES AND PHOTOGRAPHY

When reporting information, include a sketch or photo if possible. Limit the sketch to aspects of military importance, such as targets, objectives, obstacles, sector limits, or troop dispositions and locations. Notes should be annotated to explain the drawing.

Photos likewise need to be annotated if possible. Attach explanations to each photograph, along with the location where the photo was taken.

ENEMY PRISONERS OF WAR

Captured persons or EPWs should be treated IAW the Geneva Convention and handled by the 5-S rule: search, silence, segregate, safeguard, and speed to the rear.

Search EPWs as soon as they are captured. Take their weapons and papers, except for ID cards and protective masks. Give them a written receipt for any personal property and documents taken. When searching an EPW, have one man guard him while another searches the prisoner. The searcher must not get between the guard and the EPW. To search an EPW, have him spread-eagle against a tree or wall, or get him into a push-up position with his knees on the ground.

Silence EPWs and do not let them talk to each other. This keeps them from planning escapes and cautioning each other on security. Report anything an EPW says or does.

Segregate EPWs into groups by sex and into subgroups such as officers, enlisted, civilians, and political figures. This keeps the leaders from organizing escape efforts.

Safeguard EPWs when taking them to the rear. Do not let anyone abuse them. Watch out for escape attempts. Do not let EPWs bunch up, spread out too far, or start diversions.

Speed EPWs to the rear. Turn them over to your leader, who will assemble and move them to the rear for questioning by the S-2.

Objective Questioning