Field Medical Training Battalion - West (FMTB-W) Block 2 Practice Exam

The key step is getting the person to a warm, sheltered environment. Stopping further cold exposure is the first, most important action in frostbite care, especially with deep frostbite where tissue damage is extensive. Moving to warmth helps prevent additional injury, reduces ongoing cooling, and paves the way for safe, controlled rewarming and definitive care. Direct heat should not be used because it can cause burns and further tissue damage. Rewarming is best done in a controlled setting, typically with warm water and medical supervision, rather than with blankets or heaters that might produce uneven warming or burns. Delaying thawing may be appropriate in some field scenarios if there’s a real risk of refreezing during transport, but it is not the standard step to always perform in the field. Applying ointments is not part of proper frostbite management for deep injuries because it can obscure assessment and trap moisture, complicating later treatment.