How to Be Prepared to Survive If Stranded in Cold Weather

Cold weather has a very different impact and set of factors on a person than being stranded say in a Costa Rican Rain Forest. With frigid temperatures comes a test to fight to stay warm and the will to survive. Battling fatigue and the elements with an urgency to constantly focus on ways to stay warm, often times, numbs your mind and body causing common sense issues, rationale and the ability to think clearly on ice thus making surviving cold weather a matter of life and death and how much life really means to you. Being prepared to take on these extreme weather conditions will aid you in your attempt to weather the storm so to speak and make it out alive. It can't be stressed enough how important it is to remember some crucial facts and be prepared as much as possible. The best prevention for surviving cold weather conditions is to avoid having these scenarios unfold. However, we can't always control our situations and our environment so as ways of decreasing one of a number of dangerous situations that may occur, knowledge and the will to survive are your lifeline.

I can't remember how many times I have heard about people venturing out in snow storms or other harsh conditions brought on by mother nature, only to find them stranded in the middle of nowhere and with little to protect them and help them to survive. Basic needs with the will to survive are the two main ingredients you will need to give alot of attention to if you want to live. This question seems kind of funny while you are reading this in the comfort of your living room where the ambient temperature is 70 degrees or so. But, what happens when you are alone and stranded in the woods somewhere with a temperature of 30 degrees and a windchill of -10 with rain and snow? A whole different ballgame presents itself and one which you don't want to play alone or without proper preparation.

The number one fact you will want to try to remember is to stay warm and dry. Their are a plethora of clothing to help deal with the problems associated with cold weather. Up until fairly recently wool was a very prominent material for clothing to handle cold temperatures. Then came the influx of lighter weight materials like Gore-Tex outerwear and boots, polypropylene underwear and special equipment. These new products are a great way to increase your chances of surviving cold weather scenarios, though the use of wool and a windbreaker can also offer you a step up if done so accordingly. You can have all the professional and top of the line equipment but if you don't possess the will to survive out there under extreme cold temperatures for more than a few hours, the optimal clothing line will be a mute point.

The struggle with yourself over whether you have enough guts to endure cold weather temperatures and the will to survive...or not will always be there. Being able to minimize these feelings will give you the upper hand. Yes, staying warm and dry are essential, but knowing how to dress and getting the most out of your clothing will enhance your chances of survival. Did you know that roughly 40-50% of body heat is lost through your unprotected head. These percentages increase dramatically with exposed wrists, neck and ankles since they are good radiators of heat and little fat to act as an insulator. Your brain is very susceptible to cold as so much blood flows to your head and being closer to the surface, makes your brain and head less apt to handle cooling body temperatures. Just to let you know how serious a consequence lowering your core body temperature can be, a 2 degree drop in body temp. will start to inhibit one from taking care of themselves. A core temperature of 90 degrees or below will cause irrational reasoning, sluggish thinking, muscle rigidity, unconsciousness, and vital signs that will deteriorate quickly. Death will surely prevail as core rectal temperatures continue to drop at a faster rate than the body can produce heat, otherwise known as hypothermia.

In addition to having the right clothing for the extreme cold weather conditions, staying dry and proper hygiene are also key components of survival. It is one thing to have a mummy bag that is rated to -10 degrees or warm socks and outerwear, but if this clothing and equipment becomes soiled or wet, you will face severe consequences if not rectified as soon as possible. Taking steps to ensure that you are dry and clean are also pertinent! Impractical and uncomfortable are two words that sum up the term SNOW or AIR BATH. However unlikely and strange, taking a bath and personal hygiene are synonymous with survival in cold weather situations. Opening pores and reducing the chances of rashes and other skin irritations is important in helping your chances of success outdoors in the cold. Taking off your clothes and taking an air bath or spreading snow on you, even under below freezing temperatures will help you. Especially beneficial is applying snow to areas of your body where sweat and moisture accumulates, such as under arms, groin area and then wipe dry. This combined with being able to shake out your clothes and take precautions to dry them out somewhat either being exposed to the air or in the warmth of a fire. The ability to help rid lice, remove dirt and fluff up clothing to help with insulation are keys to ensuring clothing is dry and clean. Removing socks and undergarments and/or frequently changing them is just another formula to ensure safety and survival.

Building a shelter and fire can also come into play depending on how long you are going to be exposed to the elements. Taking into account, wind, water, wildlife and the type of environment you are in at the time will enable you to properly provide a shelter for protection and safety. Whether you have to erect a snow block shelter in barren areas, lean-to to a fallen tree or tree pit shelter these forms of shelter could save your life. A few important issues regarding erecting a sufficient shelter are to ensure that the opening is blocked off when you are in it to help preserve heat. Building a shelter that is just big enough for you will help to reduce wasted space that will reduce the amount of heat and insulation. Sleeping on top of leaves, branches or clothing will help to reduce wetness and limit the grounds ability to absorb valuable heat from your body. Be careful not to fall asleep without proper ventilation and dousing the fire when you retire for the night to reduce chances of carbon monoxide poisoning and asphyxiation due to improper ventilation. The last thing is to ensure that your sheltered area has a sleeping area that is higher than the opening of the shelter. This will help with moisture and other variables from accumulating and melting to make you and your equipment wet and dirty.

Being able to find proper tools and material to start a fire at any given time is a plus. Depending on your location, you may or may not have significant options at your disposal to create a fire. Having matches kindling and dry wood is ideal but their are times when you must improvise as these may not be readily available to you. Dried moss, grass or scrub willow or a piece of paper from your wallet may be all you have to work with. Rubbing two sticks together or a piece of flint, magnifying glass or camera lens can get the fire started. Once you get the embers started, you are on your way towards making and maintaining a nice warm fire for safety, protection and warmth. By burning coniferous wood(IE. pine) you can create a smoky fire to helpfully give away your location. This can be a double edged sword, however, as this type of wood as opposed to deciduous wood that can create eye, nose and throat irritations especially in confined areas such as your sheltered area.

The United States Army survival manual employs the word S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L to educate and instill pertinent principles to real life scenarios that could save your life. This list is as follows:

S ize up the situation. Know your condition, equipment, surroundings.

U se all of your senses and remember that haste makes waste!

R emember where you are! Landmarks, position of the sun, streams, rivers all eventually will lead to civilization, ocean and are an easier means of travel.

V anquish fear and panic. Fear may not be overcome but panic should not be part of the equation!

I mprovise! Their are going to be times when you are going to have to alter what little you have to work with to enable you to survive.

V alue living. Again as I mentioned above, cold weather, more so than heat, will make it a test of your Witt's and your ultimate desire to live, or not!

A ct like the natives. Aborigines and native people have survived the elements successfully for as long as recorded time it seems. Learn from them and your chances of survival will increase.

L earn basic skills, and live by your Witt's.

In my second part of this article I will discuss other pertinent needs that need to be taken into account and ways to cope and take care of these issues.

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