One of the most dangerous non-combative threats military personnel face is the cold.
Non-freezing cold injuries (NFCIs) are often overlooked, but are a significant risk for service personnel, especially those deployed out to places with extreme weather conditions or those who undertake training exercises exposed to the elements for weeks on end.
NFCIs are not always as obvious as frostbite or ‘trench foot’ and can be easily missed, and the impact upon service members can be devastating.
For service members, navigating life after an NFCI can be challenging, lonely and painful.
What are Non-Freezing Cold Injuries?
Non freezing cold injuries occur in wet and damp conditions, where a person is exposed for long periods of time, without being provided the proper protective equipment. This can lead to injuries in the extremities like the feet, hands, ears and face, often resulting in chronic pain disorders, disability and lower quality of life.
The cold causes blood vessels to constrict reducing blood flow to the area, causing damage to the skin, nerves, muscles, tissues and vessels. Unlike frostbite, NFCIs tend not to be as dramatic or immediate, but their long-term effects can have a profound impact upon the sufferers, leading to serious consequences when not treated.
What is the Impact of a Non-Freezing Cold Injury?
Non-freezing cold injuries have far reaching consequences for our military personnel, affecting not only their physical health but mental wellbeing and career prospects too, and the impact can be devastating.
The most immediate effect of NFCIs is the physical impact. For our soldiers, the symptoms that come alongside NFCIs can make it increasingly difficult to perform their basic military duties. Some may struggle to run, march, handle weaponry, and participate in basic training operations.
In the more severe cases, service personnel can be medically discharged and be deemed unfit to undertake their duties, often ruining future career prospects and dreams of serving their country.
Meanwhile the psychological impact upon a person is not to be underestimated. In addition to the physical discomfort a service member faces, they can struggle emotionally too. Injuries like NFCIs can leave lasting emotional trauma, leaving a person feeling frustrated, isolated and/or depressed.
The uncertainty of whether they will ever recover, if they will ever find themselves able to be fit for full duties again, or whether they will have to set aside career aspirations can lead to anxieties, undue stress and diminished morale.
Common Symptoms of an NCFI
- Tingling / pins and needles sensations
- Burning
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Pain
- Sensitivity to cold
- Altered sensation to touch
- Blisters
- Itching
- Paraesthesia
How Ison Harrison can help
Given the profound effects these injuries can have upon a service member, it is essential that those affected seek support and advice, and where necessary claim compensation.
Here at Ison Harrison, we have a dedicated military team, with decades of experience in military compensation claims. We can help you navigate and process the complex claims procedures, to ensure that you receive the care and dignity that should be afforded to all military personnel to support you in your recovery and rehabilitation.
For more information or to find out if you have a claim, contact our Military Claims team on 0113 224 7837 or email militaryclaims@isonharrison.co.uk.
