Winter Camping David Mitchko Mercer Area District Commissioner Central New Jersey Council, BSA

Layering for Warmth Layering helps prevent loss of body heat while allowing perspiration to pass through your clothes. Under layer – wicks moisture away from skin. Long underwear made of polypropylene works well. Avoid cotton blends – they will absorb moisture and make you feel cold. Insulating Layer – Traps air in very small pockets. This trapped air insulates, not the fabric. Layers should be loose fitting. Wool is a good insulator even when wet. Synthetic materials also work, such as polar fleece and Thinsulate. Avoid clothes made from cotton. Outer layer/Shell – Protects the insulating layer from wind and weather. A hooded shell and rain pants made from Nylon or Gortex work well.

Clothing Tips One third of your body’s heat is lost from the neck up. Wear a baklava as insulation and a hooded shell jacket. Good winter gloves have all three layers. A Gortex like outer layer on the glove works best. Mittens help the fingers share heat, but reduce dexterity. Winter boots that have a rubber coating on their lower half work best at keeping dry. Some boots have removable insulation which can be kept warm in your sleeping bag. They should not be tight fitting. Gortex boots without a lower rubber coating will get wet and freeze. Sneakers are the worst thing to wear winter camping. Do not wear cotton gym socks Keep warm enough from head to toe without sweating by adding or removing layers as needed based on your activity - something that you can’t do wearing a winter coat.

Getting Scouts to Dress in Layers Emphasize that their regular winter clothes – a cotton tee shirt, cotton “Hoodie”, thick winter coat, blue jeans – will not keep them warm for long. That they only work because they are used to going indoors to warm up. Provide skills instruction during a December troop meeting, showing them the right and wrong clothes to wear. Give them examples of clothes that they might have at home that would be suitable. Send a flyer home to the scout’s parents with information on dressing in layers for cold weather. Be specific with brand names and the stores that carry them. Give examples of lower cost substitutes, such as a nylon jacket vs. Gortex. Give parents time to shop for these items and possibly give them as holiday gifts to their son.

Sleeping in the Cold Sleep only in long underwear. Change into a dry set before getting into your bag. Use a mummy type sleeping bag and cinch it closed to the smallest opening possible to allow you to breath out your mouth and nose. Wear a knit cap down over your nose and a neck gaiter up over your chin. The temperature rating of the bag should only be used as a guide. Find your own comfort level without feeling cold or overheating. A fleece liner will increase the bag’s temperature rating. Combine bags if need be. The part of the bag your body lays on has lost it’s insulating value because the batting is being compressed. Sleeping on a foam pad, that does not easily compress, makes up for the lost insulation in the bag.

Hypothermia Hypothermia is a condition in which the body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees. The first sign of hypothermia is usually violent shivering and cold, pale skin. Look for the “umbles”: stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles. As the condition progresses the person will become disoriented. Remove the victim’s cold, wet clothes and wrap them in layers of dry warm clothes, blankets or sleeping bag. Apply warm compresses to neck, chest wall and groin area. Warm the victim slowly, from the inside out - do not use direct heat, like hot water, heating pad or heat lamp to warm the victim. Do not rub the victim’s arms or legs. It will send the cold blood to vital organs, making matters worse.

Frostbite Frostbite is the freezing of skin and damage to underlying blood vessels upon exposure to extreme cold (below 32°F) Blood flow halts in the frostbitten skin, and the area must be thawed and slowly re-warmed to prevent tissue death. The ears, nose, hands and feet are particularly susceptible. Common signs of frostbite are progressive numbness and a loss of sensitivity to touch. The affected area will also tingle or feel as if it is burning. As the condition worsens, the pain will fade or disappear. The skin will blanch, then may appear red and finally white purple if allowed to freeze. If possible immerse the affected area in warm water, 104° to 108°F for one hour. Do not rub the skin as you may damage it and the underlying tissue. Do not use any heating devices, stoves or fires to treat frostbite. In a pinch, body heat can be used to thaw frostbite. For example, placing frostbitten fingers under the arm. Tip: apply moisturizer to face and hands before going out in the cold.

Hydration in Cold Weather You can get dehydrated, even in cold weather Signs of mild dehydration are: thirst, dry lips, dry mouth, flushed skin, fatigue, irritability, headache, urine begins to darken in color, urine output decreases. As you dehydrate, your blood thickens making it harder to push though constricted blood vessels of the hands, ears and face. This can lead to cold hand and feet or even frostbite. Drink plenty of water before the activity. Take drinks of water during the day. Avoid beverages with caffeine, which can increase heat loss. Soup, hot cocoa and tea are not the best hydrators, but are better than nothing and will warm you up.