The cold weather is not just uncomfortable. It's the second deadliest environmental stressor after a lack of oxygen. It changes the way your body moves, reacts, and performs.

Dr. François Hammond, a human kinetics researcher and professor with 25 years studying cold exposure from Arctic communities to special forces, shares the real risks of working in the cold, including muscle strain, slips, dehydration, and impaired nerve function, and explains why even brief exposures can add up over time. He also separates fact from hype on using cold for recovery and explains how to do it safely.

Learn practical strategies to protect yourself, build adaptability, read your body’s signals, and make smarter decisions when the temperature drops.

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RESOURCES

• Winter Readiness Training Resources

• Cold Exposure Response Zone Chart

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to WorkReady

04:20 The Science of Thermoregulation

13:38 Practical Tips for Cold Weather Safety

22:31 The Hidden Dangers of Non-Freezing Cold Injuries

25:54 Lessons from Indigenous Communities on Cold Management

35:30 Monitoring and Managing Cold Stress in the Field

48:10 Recognizing the Danger Zones of Cold Exposure

52:17 Cognitive and Physical Impacts of Cold

01:03:00 Musculoskeletal Risks and Cold-Related Injuries

01:08:21 Hydration and Dehydration in Cold Environments

01:15:22 The Cold-Weather Readiness Triangle

01:21:43 The Science of Cold Plunging