Winter Survival Basics…

In the handout… Winter Survival Means C.O.L.D. Hypothermia -- The Silent Killer Some Snow Camping Rules Rules and Instructions for Keeping Warm in the Sack

Preparation? Do as much as you can to avoid getting in a winter survival situation: Check weather Pack right clothing bring extra food and water have access to blankets or shelter material let other people know your route and check in as you make progress.

Despite your best efforts, something happens and you need to survive in the cold… What do you do?

Maybe the best way to survive in the cold is to remember C.O.L.D.: C - Keep clothing CLEAN. O - Avoid OVERHEATING. L - Wear clothes LOOSE and in LAYERS. D - Keep clothing DRY.

Basic Survival Items… Knife Waterproof matches and a waterproof container Compass and map of the area you will be traveling Flint Emergency food supply Extra water container Watch- to tell time and help with directions Flashlight and spare batteries Waterproof ground cloth Signaling devise- mirror, whistle, etc. Thermal blanket- compresses well and can make all the difference in staying warm Thin rope for clothes line or other items Basic first aid items

Hypothermia! …The Silent Killer

Hypothermia Causes: Three factors are major causal factors in hypothermia: cold, water, and wind. Hypothermia is insidious. As the body's core temperature drops, more and more body systems suffer from the effects of cold. The presence and severity of hypothermia can be assessed by the signs and symptoms (on next slide). A patient is hypothermic at any temperature below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (rectal) – ouch!.

STAGES OF HYPOTHERMIA: 98 - 95 degrees - Sensation of chilliness, skin numbness; minor impairment in muscular performance, especially in use of hands; shivering begins. 95 - 93 degrees - More obvious muscle incoordination and weakness; slow stumbling pace; mild confusion and apathy. Skin pale and cold to touch. 93 - 90 degrees - Gross muscular incoordination with frequent stumbling and falling and inability to use hands; mental sluggishness with slow thought and speech; retrograde amnesia. 90 - 86 degrees - Cessation of shivering; severe muscular incoordination with stiffness and inability to walk or stand; incoherence, confusion, irrationality. 86 - 82 degrees - Severe muscular rigidity; patient barely arousable; dilatation of pupils; inapparent heartbeat and pulse. Skin ice cold. 82- 78 degrees and below - Unconsciousness; death due to cessation of heart action.

Hypothermia Treatment… Moderate hypothermia: Get the patient as sheltered as possible (tent, snow cave, etc.) Remove wet clothing and replace with dry clothing. Keep patient laying down. Place patient in a sleeping bag with a second rescuer of normal body temperature. Direct skin to skin contact is preferable. Warm stones or bottles can also be placed in the bag (be careful not to burn patient). Make sure all extremities and exposed areas (e.g. face, nose, ears) are protected. Always evacuate a hypothermic patient as quickly and gently as possible, including rewarmed patients. Severe hypothermia: Patients in severe hypothermia are often erroneously thought to be dead. Handle a severely hypothermic patient with great care - VERY GENTLE HANDLING. Cut away wet clothing and replace with dry clothing. Do not attempt to rewarm patient unless evacuation is IMPOSSIBLE. !!! THE HYPOTHERMIC PATIENT ISN'T DEAD UNTIL HE'S WARM AND DEAD !!!

Rules and Instructions for Keeping Warm in the Sack Clothing does not make you warm; your body processes keep you warm. Clothing merely provides the insulation to preserve your warmth. Layered thickness is warmth. Keep your torso warm so that it can send heat to the extremities. Avoid sweating by ventilation. Keep rain and wind out of your insulation. Use your head. Keep it covered when you're cold; remove cap as you warm up to avoid sweating. Strain one muscle against another to maintain metabolism. Wool clothing is best but needs wind protection, synthetics are next best. Down is OK as long as it stays dry, cotton is a poor choice. If your feet are cold, put a hat on. Remember the word "COLD"