There is an old saying that has to do with hypothermia – “Stay Dry…Stay Alive.” Hypothermia is the #1 killer of people in the outdoors and a serious concern for individuals preparing for both natural and man made disasters (TEOTWAWKI).
If you are caught out in the elements unexpectedly without proper clothes and shelter,
To always be prepared for the unexpected when you travel outdoors is easier said than done, I know, but try to at least plan for the most common contingencies before you walk out the door. Ask yourself; do I have everything I need in case something unexpected happens? Keep an emergency bag in all of your vehicles. It should contain food, water, warm clothes, hat, winter gloves, warm socks, flashlight, boots, first aid kit, survival knife, fire starting kit and a winter type jacket & pants.
What to Wear
Have a plan, if hiking or camping always carry a personal first aid kit and wear the appropriate gear. Always wear clothes that are warm and made of material that continues to insulate even when wet or is quick drying, such as wool (SmartWool), or lightweight moisture wicking synthetic material, such as Polartec or polypropylene. Always avoid wearing cotton, just remember the saying “Cotton is Rotten” as it loses all its insulating properties when wet and when it is against your skin it can quickly lower your body temperature. There is another saying in the outdoor world, “Friends don’t let friends wear cotton”.People make this common mistake with cotton especially with their t-shirt and underwear
Bug Out Bag & Emergency Car Kit
When planning your Bug Out Bag or Emergency Car Kit, it is good to have a solid pair of warmMedical Conditions
Before medical experts knew much about hypothermia, being cold and wet was simply considered part of of being outside in the elements. If you became cold and wet, you did not complain or whine, you would just keep going. Hypothermia, however, is a physical condition where the body loses heat faster than it can be replaced. This cycle results in the body core temperature dropping below 98.6 degrees. Exposure to cold water, snow, rain, wind and even one’s own perspiration will accelerate the progression of the condition. Eventually the brain, heart, lungs and other vital organs are affected. Even a mild case of hypothermia can exhaust a person’s physical and mental abilities and increase the risks of serious accidents. If left untreated, severe hypothermia may result in unconsciousness and in some cases….death.A person may be alert, but unaware that he or she has mild hypothermia (described as
Recognizing the symptoms of hypothermia is paramount for treatment and preventing further heat loss. With a mild case of hypothermia, allowing the body to re-warm itself and retain body heat will correct the situation. This can be accomplished by replacing wet clothing with warm and dry ones, sipping on a warm non- alcoholic drink, applying a gentle heat source, or doing some light exercises to warm up. Do not exercise to the point of perspiration, as it can limit the body’s ability to warm back up in the cold. With severe and critical cases of hypothermia it is important to obtain medical help as soon as possible. Treat the person for shock and handle them with extreme care. Do not give the victim any food or drink. Apply a mild heat source to the head, neck, chest and groin to minimize further loss of body heat. In severe conditions, try to put two people in the same sleeping bag, removing any wet clothes to re-warm the person suffering from hypothermia.
Expedient Lean-To Shelter Using Snow or Tree Branches
If you are caught out in the elements unprepared, get out of the wind, rain or snow, find shelter,Hypothermia can occur in almost any environment at air temperatures below or above freezing. However, most cases tend to take place between 30 and 50 degrees, when victims underestimate the danger of exposure to the elements. Anyone can get hypothermia; it can strike even the most highly trained and experienced individuals in the outdoors. So no matter the scenario, if you are caught out in the elements immediately seek shelter or put on protection against moisture because once you become wet and cold, hypothermia is sure to follow.
Remember “Stay Dry…Stay Alive.”
The Future Belongs to Those Who PreparePhoto credits:
eri-online.com
cicerotroop103.org
zastavki.com
The movie “The Road”
outdoored.com
NICE blog.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of one of mine... (smile)
~Jeff