Risk Factors Cold Injury Risk Factors 1. Poorly conditioned soldiers are more susceptible to cold injury. They tire more quickly and are unable to stay active to keep warm as long as fit soldiers.
Dehydration reduces skin blood flow.
This increases susceptibility to cold injury. Fat is an excellent insulator against heat loss. Persons 45 years old or older may be less cold tolerant than younger persons, due to the decline in physical fitness that often occurs with aging. This emphasizes the importance of physical fitness training, particularly for older soldiers. Alcohol, and to a lesser extent caffeine, cause the blood vessels in the skin to open which may accelerate body heat loss.