Which of the following factors significantly affects the risk of cold weather injuries?

The factor that significantly affects the risk of cold weather injuries is history. This refers to an individual's past experiences with cold weather exposure and any previous injuries related to cold conditions. For instance, individuals who have previously suffered from frostbite or hypothermia may be more susceptible to these injuries in future cold weather situations. Their history of cold weather injuries influences their physiology, awareness, and possibly their behavior in cold environments, leading to a higher risk if they do not take necessary precautions.

In contrast, while education level, geographic location, and experience level can influence awareness and knowledge regarding cold weather safety, they do not have the same direct impact on susceptibility to cold weather injuries as a personal history of such injuries does. For example, a person with extensive knowledge about cold weather safety may still suffer from cold injuries if they have experienced them before and do not adequately address the risks related to their condition or situation. Similarly, geographic location may dictate the prevalence of cold weather but does not inherently alter an individual's physical response to the cold without the context of their history. Experience level can inform someone about risks, but personal history with injuries is a more significant determinant of risk.