Hypothermia is a medical condition diagnosed when your core body temperature has dropped from an average of 98.6'F/37'C to 95'F/35'C. This condition is fatal if left untreated. Treatment includes warming the body by wrapping in warm clothing, blankets, using the warmth from a fire or even covering the victim with your own body.
If you are in the wind, you must find a windbreak such as a group of trees a snowdrift or cliff walls. You can even make your own break out of snow by piling it up enough to reduce the wind. Once your core body temperature has been reduced by three degrees you are in the first stages of hypothermia, which must be treated immediately by warming your body up.
It is important that you do not over exert with heavy clothing on because this will cause you to sweat. Moisture evaporating will cool the body faster that it can recover and warm back up. You must be able to regulate your temperature by adding or removing layers of clothing.
You want to avoid sweating, which causes the body to cool from evaporation, and if you do sweat you want clothing next to the skin that can wick the moisture away. Once you begin to warm up you want to remove the first layer of clothes to slow the warming process and as you chill put the first layer back on. This can help you stop the sweating and evaporation process.
If you do become wet, you must find shelter and dry off, while protecting yourself, if you do not you will succumb to hypothermia and if you are, alone you could become unconscious. If possible, it is always recommended you shelter in place if you become tired and chilled. Snow caves are an excellent shelter if you have good ground cover to prevent heat conduction into the ground from your body.
Wool and even fleece to some extent will still warm you when wet. Remove the outer layer if you feel warm. The second layer must be enough to keep you warm yet allows a slow cooling to keep from perspiring. You have to avoid getting wet in cold temperatures and if you do you have to remove your clothes and protect yourself with fire, blankets or an enclosed shelter and allow your clothes to dry.
Blood vessels carry warm blood, and if exposed to cold air your blood will cool in the vessels. Your neck, legs and wrist must stay covered to protect the large veins located there. Your body if left exposed will conduct heat away from it to the colder air around it. Have a wrap for your neck and heavy pants to cover your legs. Wear quality gloves for your hands and make sure you keep your head covered, because your body will lose heat rapidly if the head is left unprotected. Once your body cools faster than it can warm up you will be in the first stages of hypothermia.
Wet feet can be dangerous. You can get frostbitten toes and feet and not realize it until too late. Wearing damp socks will increase your chance of frostbite dramatically so it is important you take the time to change into dry socks even if you do not think they are damp. You have to inspect your feet regularly while walking in the cold. If you do not have extra socks, you must find cover, remove your damp socks, and allow them to dry while protecting your feet. Rub your feet briskly with your hands to keep the blood flowing. Arteries carrying warm blood is the only way your feet will warm but damp socks will cause cooling by evaporation making it impossible for your feet to warm.
If you are in the wind, you must find a windbreak such as a group of trees a snowdrift or cliff walls. You can even make your own break out of snow by piling it up enough to reduce the wind. Once your core body temperature has been reduced by three degrees you are in the first stages of hypothermia, which must be treated immediately by warming your body up.
It is important that you do not over exert with heavy clothing on because this will cause you to sweat. Moisture evaporating will cool the body faster that it can recover and warm back up. You must be able to regulate your temperature by adding or removing layers of clothing.
You want to avoid sweating, which causes the body to cool from evaporation, and if you do sweat you want clothing next to the skin that can wick the moisture away. Once you begin to warm up you want to remove the first layer of clothes to slow the warming process and as you chill put the first layer back on. This can help you stop the sweating and evaporation process.
If you do become wet, you must find shelter and dry off, while protecting yourself, if you do not you will succumb to hypothermia and if you are, alone you could become unconscious. If possible, it is always recommended you shelter in place if you become tired and chilled. Snow caves are an excellent shelter if you have good ground cover to prevent heat conduction into the ground from your body.
Wool and even fleece to some extent will still warm you when wet. Remove the outer layer if you feel warm. The second layer must be enough to keep you warm yet allows a slow cooling to keep from perspiring. You have to avoid getting wet in cold temperatures and if you do you have to remove your clothes and protect yourself with fire, blankets or an enclosed shelter and allow your clothes to dry.
Blood vessels carry warm blood, and if exposed to cold air your blood will cool in the vessels. Your neck, legs and wrist must stay covered to protect the large veins located there. Your body if left exposed will conduct heat away from it to the colder air around it. Have a wrap for your neck and heavy pants to cover your legs. Wear quality gloves for your hands and make sure you keep your head covered, because your body will lose heat rapidly if the head is left unprotected. Once your body cools faster than it can warm up you will be in the first stages of hypothermia.
Wet feet can be dangerous. You can get frostbitten toes and feet and not realize it until too late. Wearing damp socks will increase your chance of frostbite dramatically so it is important you take the time to change into dry socks even if you do not think they are damp. You have to inspect your feet regularly while walking in the cold. If you do not have extra socks, you must find cover, remove your damp socks, and allow them to dry while protecting your feet. Rub your feet briskly with your hands to keep the blood flowing. Arteries carrying warm blood is the only way your feet will warm but damp socks will cause cooling by evaporation making it impossible for your feet to warm.
About the Author:
Preppers must find out survival techniques such as how to endure cold weather situations. Individuals should go to The Smart Preppers Website to find out other important survival skills such as how to put together a bug out bag and the best way to survive a mega solar storm or hurricane.
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