Cold Weather Survival

Imagine this: you've been at work all day, looking out the window at a glorious spring day. Finally you get off the clock and decide to go for a day hike in the hills outside of town. It's the afternoon by the time you leave, but why worry? It's a beautiful day, and the sun is shining. It's shirtsleeves weather and what little snow is left is quickly melting. What can go wrong on a quick walk in the woods?

Since it seems so nice out, you aren't keeping track of the time and without realizing it, the sun is low in the sky. You decide you'd better turn back, but on the way to your car, the sun drops below the horizon. Now it's dark, and you can't see the trail very well. You speed up, the quicker to get back to the car, but soon find yourself off of the trail completely. Since the sun has set, but the stars aren't quite out, there aren't any reference points to navigate from, and the hills are unfamiliar, even more so in the dark. And speaking of dark, now that the sun has set, the temperature is dropping rapidly you notice with a shiver. What seemed like a beautiful spring day is now a forbidding winter night. And nobody will realize that you're gone until you don't show up to work the next day. How did an innocent day hike turn into a life and death situation so fast?

Survival hinges on several factors. Maintaining a positive attitude and being prepared are the two most important things when heading outside, especially when the mercury drops and the line between life and death becomes sharper.

First off, consider your clothing. Cotton is the most common fabric that clothing is made of, but it can be deadly. Cotton is the perfect material for hot weather, but if it gets wet, it stays wet. Melting snow or sweat can get your cotton clothing wet surprisingly fast. Not only is wet clothing uncomfortable, but it sucks heat away from your body. Much better is wool, or synthetic fabrics like polypropylene. Wool and synthetic's have the property of wicking water away from your skin, so even if you get wet, you'll stay warm. But you can't stand the itchy texture of wool? Not to worry. Recent developments have resulted in warm reliable non-itchy wool clothing.

Layering is the key to operating successfully in cold weather. A common mistake made by outdoor enthusiasts is to bundle up and wear a heavy jacket or parka when the thermometer drops. This can be deadly, especially if you're engaging in intense physical activity. Imagine hiking in a heavy jacket. As you walk, you sweat, and your clothing becomes wet and heavy. When you stop for a break to cool down, the water in your clothing and on your body will freeze. And being covered in a thin layer of ice is the quickest way to hypothermia. To avoid this trap, dress in many light layers. The best combination is a base, an insulating layer, and a wind shell. If you're wearing a thin polypropylene shirt, a down vest, and a windbreaker, you'll be just as warm as if you had a heavy coat on. But when you're moving, you can remove the down vest, put it in your backpack, and maintain a constant body temperature. This way you won't be covered in sweat that will soon freeze. When you stop to take a break, just zip open your pack and put on the vest again, now keeping you warm while you aren't moving. Dressing in layers can take a little foresight beforehand, but staying warm and dry is definitely worth it.

So now you've got the right kind of clothing, and you're dressing in layers. What else can you do to stay safe in cold weather? Simple, a quick survival kit in your pocket can make all the difference. It doesn't have to be fancy, or store bought either. A small first aid kit with gauze, band aids and mole foam (to cover potential blisters and hotspots), a good pocket knife, a couple candy bars for energy, a compass and a map of the area you're in (be sure you know how to use them), a flashlight, and a lighter or waterproof matches make up the essentials. Also think about bringing an extra sweater, and a rain jacket if you think it'll be wet, and a GPS and a cell phone. Remember though, that cell phones often don't work outside of cities or in hilly terrain with limited visibility and a GPS is worthless without a map. Oftentimes people carry expensive toys that make them feel safe, but a piece of technology can be as much of a liability as a safeguard. Most important of all, tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back. Then, if you don't show up, a search party will be dispatched.

If you do find yourself lost outdoors in cold weather, then remember, DON'T PANIC. A good attitude is the best way to stay alive. If it's dark and cold, try your best to stay dry and to find shelter for the night. Build a simple shelter to keep dry from rain or snow. Collect wood to build a fire. If you're in a no-fire zone, then disregard the rule. Your survival trumps all of the rules. If you are well and truly lost, then try and find somewhere conspicuous, and wait for searchers to find you. It's much easier for search and rescue missions to find somebody that's stationary, because if you're on the move, you might inadvertently walk into an area that's already been searched.

Dire situations can arise out of simple activities, such as the theoretical hike mentioned at the beginning of this article. But don't let that though keep you inside. Simple steps can insulate you from much of the inherent danger of the wilderness. Dressing right, layering, carrying a survival kit, staying in touch and keeping a positive attitude are all measures you can take to stay safe outdoors in even the coldest of weather.