Inspired by the other Winter survival threads around I decided to make this little list/guide about important things to remember when going out in wintertime. I'm using Finnish Defense Forces' Soldier's Handbook as reference in addition to my own experience.
Some basics of human functioning capabilities:
Before your ability to function starts to degrease:
few hours without water.
a day without food.
70 hours without sleep.
for 9 days with 3-5 hour sleep per day.
At least goes with Finnish conscripts, they have tested.
1. Proper clothing.
- Use suitable clothing for the situation. Layered clothing is the key. Touching your skin something that will pass sweat forward to the next layer, which should be wool, as it is light and keeps you warm even if wet. Then a windbreaker layer. When you are moving, you can well remove the wool layer, to reduce sweating and heat. After sweating, and when you stop, change the layer on your skin to a dry one. Have a proper hat as almost 30% of body heat escapes from your head. Remember, your limbs are the parts that'll freeze first.
- Feet. You need them, don't you. So, in order to keep 'em functioning properly, use good socks and shoes. I personally favor rubber boots with removable felt lining. You need to have big enough shoes to fit proper undersocks, woolen socks and the felt lining. Remember that your feet also swell a bit when you walk. Important is, that the shoes are NOT tight. Air is what insulates, not fabric. Do not use dirty or wet socks, you'll just end up having a frostbite. Always dry your socks and other clothing when possible. Also make sure your shoes are dry. Good way is to put the close(not too close) to fire/stove and put a piece of wood under the heel, so that the evaporated water can get out from the whole shoe.
2. Water.
- It might surprise some of you, but cold is just as bad as heat when it comes to water. You'll need to drink a lot. If in hard physical strain, about 1 liters per hour. How to carry this whit you and keep it from freezing is another matter.
- Drink about 2dl in every 20 minutes or a mouthful every 10-15 minutes.
- Keep your primary water bottle under your clothes, so that your body will keep it warm.
- Carry your other bottles upside down as they'll start freezing from the top. this gives you a little more tome to drink them before they freeze shut.
- Always fill your bottles with hot water. This'll keep them from freezing for a longer time. There is little use to drink water that is cold. Your body has to use a lot of energy to warm it enough for the body to use it.
- DO NOT eat snow or ice. BOIL it to water and then drink the water.
3. Food.
- Proper, extra high energy diet is extremely important for keeping you functioning in cold weather. So no died foods, real mans food!
- Eat in small patches, around 4-6 times per day. Avoid sugar! Carbohydrates is what'll keep you going. Rye crackers are a good snack. Put some jerky on it. Active moving in extreme cold can duple your energy usage. So, you use around 2000 kcal for breathing and other basic functions. 3000 - 3500 kcal in regular active life, so in extreme cold, working hard, you'll have to take up to 7000 kcal per day! (if you get fat, move more...)
-Eat warm food at least two times a day.
4. Preventing frost bites.
- Proper clothing.
- Large enough shoes.
- Clean socks, don't use nylon!
- Keep your feet clean, but not with soap or anything that washes off the natural oils of the skin.
- Avoid sweating, but keep moving.
- Change on dry clothes when ever possible.
- Move your facial muscles to keep blood circulation working in your face too.
- Avoid soap washes, deodorants and face lotions that have water in them.
- Have a partner. Check each others faces for frostbites.
- Eat and drink warm food and water. Store both near your body to keep 'em warm.
- Don't smoke. It affects your blood circulation and increases significantly the change of getting a frost bite.
- Don't touch metal with bare hands. If you have no option, dry the metal and your hands before touching it.
- Numbness is a signal of a circulation problem. Do push-ups and other exercises to keep you warm.
- White area on your skin is a frost bite. Warm it with your bare hand, DO NOT RUB! NEVER RUB WITH SNOW! You'll just get an infection.
One more time:
Pay special attention to your feet.
- Keep 'em dry.
- Try to change your socks daily.
- Take your shoes off during rest and dry your socks.
- Wear warm clothes, as warm general clothing also helps to prevent your limbs from freezing.
There is typos, I know. Feel free to point 'em out so they can be fixed. I didn't write about shelters because it is now 1:13am. Maybe later.
Hope this proves useful. Feedback is always apreciated. (as long as it's good... :innocent:)
