Kent State Professor Ellen Glickman, who has received funding from the U.S. Army to research the body’s responses to cold, altitude changes and the effects of protein intake on exercise performance, says cold weather injuries are preventable. By following a few simple precautions, and by remembering the COLD acronym below, you can emerge from the winter months unscathed. Dr. Glickman, professor of exercise science, can be reached at 330-672-2930 or eglickma@kent.edu.

Before stepping out into the cold, remember:

• Insulation allows the creation of a microclimate around the body through which the amount of body heat lost to the environment can be regulated.
  
• Layering allows adding or removing layers of clothing in order to regulate the amount of heat lost or retained.
  
• Ventilation helps maintain a comfortable microclimate around the body, allows the release of excess heat and minimizes sweating, which can lower body temperature later as it evaporates.

Memorize the four important clothing principles, or simply "COLD"— keep it Clean; avoid Overheating; wear it Loose and layered; keep it Dry

• Keep it Clean — change clothes as often as possible, wash clothes, brush off/shake out clothes when unable to wash, make repairs to retain warmth, replace unserviceable items. Dirt and grease clog the air spaces in clothing and reduce the insulating effect.
  
• Avoid Overheating   — dress for conditions, open clothing to provide ventilation, remove clothing as necessary to prevent perspiration.
  
• Wear it Loose and Layered — avoid tight or constrictive clothing, adjust equipment to prevent it from tightening clothing, use drawstrings to trap air between layers.
  
• Keep it Dry — avoid water on clothing as mission permits, prevent perspiration, and use wet weather gear to repel water. Wet clothing conducts heat away from the body. Moisture can soak into clothing from two directions; from melting snow and frost that has collected on the outside of the clothing, and from perspiration. Be sure to brush snow and frost from clothing before entering heated shelters or vehicles.