Environmental Threats
Many environmental threats commonly occur at altitude.
Cold Injuries: Cold injuries are a threat at high altitude.
Frequent winds in mountain areas cause extremely low windchill.
Because altitude exposures can result in poor judgment and
decision-making, more cold injuries should be anticipated.
Countermeasures for cold injuries include command emphasis
on maintaining nutrition, drinking plenty of uids, and dressing in
multiple, loose layers.
Adequate planning and preparedness can reduce or prevent
adverse impacts.
Injuries Caused by Sunlight: Solar radiation injuries caused
by sunlight are likely at altitude due to increased ultraviolet (UV)
radiation and reection of light from snow and rock surfaces.
Solar radiation injuries can be severe and occur with much
shorter exposure at higher altitudes. Injuries caused by sunlight
include:
Sunburn may be more likely to occur on partly cloudy or overcast
days when Soldiers may not be aware of the threat and do not
take appropriate precautions. Use sun block (at least 30 SPF) to
help prevent instances of sunburn.
Snow blindness occurs when UV light is absorbed by the external
parts of the eyes, such as the eyelids and cornea. There is no
warning, aside from brightness, that sunburn-like eye damage
is occurring. Damage can occur in just a few hours. Sunglasses
or goggles with UV protection will prevent snow blindness.
Sunglasses with side protectors are recommended.
Terrain Injuries: Soldiers should be aware of the dangers of
avalanches and falls. Poor judgment at high altitude increases
the risk of injury. The potential for being struck by lightning is also
increased at higher altitudes, especially in areas above tree lines.
Take shelter in solid-roofed structures or vehicles, stay low, and
avoid tall structures or large metal objects.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning is a frequent hazard and
is caused by using stoves, combustion heaters, and engines in
enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces. Cigarette smoking is another
source of CO. To prevent CO poisoning, do not sleep in vehicles
with engines running, do not cook inside tents, and do not sleep
in tents without adequate ventilation while using combustion
heaters or stoves. Seek fresh air immediately if CO poisoning is
suspected.
Non-Battle Injuries: Altitude and cold can impair judgment
and physical performance while maneuvering in rugged
terrain. Heavy clothing worn for protection against the cold
and specialized equipment can also restrict movement. Non-
battle injuries can be prevented by carefully observing safety
procedures.
Infectious Diseases: Although there is generally a reduced
threat of disease at high elevations, Soldiers should still take
precautions to avoid diseases caused by insects, plants, and
animals, as well as diseases transmitted from person to person.
At moderate to high altitudes, insect-borne disease (from
mosquitoes, ticks and ies) is common in most regions. In some
areas, malaria-bearing mosquitoes range as high as 1800m. The
threat of diseases transmitted from person to person is increased
at higher, cold climates since Soldiers are more likely to gather
together to keep warm.
References:
Refer to USACHPPM Technical Guide 273: Diagnosis and
Treatment of Diseases of Tactical Importance to U.S. Central
Command (2005) for more detailed information regarding altitude
illnesses and treatments.
USACHPPM Technical Guide 273 is available at
https://usaphcapps.amedd.army.mil/HIOShoppingCart/.
Technical Bulletin Medicine (TB MED) 505, Altitude Acclimization
and Illness Management
Technical Bulletin Medicine (TB MED) 508, Prevention and
Management of Cold-Weather Injuries
Deployment Health Guide:
A Soldier’s Guide to Staying
Healthy at High Elevations
USAPHC
ELEVATION MEASUREMENTS
WINDCHILL CHART
SHG-028-0111
GTA 08-05-060
This deployment health guide provides
information that can reduce your risk of
injury and disease when deployed. Army
G-1 Personnel Policy Guidance (http://www.
armyg1.army.mil/militarypersonnel/ppg.asp)
requires that you receive a preventive medicine
brieng prior to your deployment.
Overview
Mountain environments are inherently
dangerous. They can be unforgiving for those
without adequate knowledge, training, and
equipment. Commanders, medical support
personnel, and Soldiers must understand that
the interaction of environmental conditions
with mission responsibilities and individual and
unit characteristics can signicantly impact
mission outcome. In order to accomplish the
operational mission, all Soldiers should be
aware of the threats associated with operations
at altitude and use personal protective
measures in order to minimize disease and
non-battle injuries.
DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED
Prepared By:
U.S. Army Public Health Command
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
In Coordination With
U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Natick, Massachusetts
JANUARY 2011
