Finger temperatures during military field training at 0 to −29 °C

Abstract

1. Skin and rectal temperatures were recorded continuously in 70 measurements during typical tasks of infantry and artillery training at 0 to −29 °C. The duration of the measurements varied from 55 min to 9.5 h. 2. The distribution of finger skin temperatures was quite similar at ambient temperature ranges 0 to −10 °C and −10 to −20 °C, while at −20 to −30 °C the finger temperatures were clearly lower. 3. At different ambient temperature ranges, 20–69% of finger temperatures were low enough to cause cold thermal sensations. 4. Sensation of cold was experienced at a finger temperature of 11.6±3.7 °C (mean±SD).