Post by jimcobb on Dec 23, 2022 19:41:35 GMT
In Part I of this discussion, I talked about the various ways we lose body heat and a little bit about what we can do to prevent it from happening.
Let’s talk about how to be prepared to handle the elements when you venture into the field, particularly during the winter. Shelter is what protects you from exposure, and that starts with your clothing. One of the biggest reasons people get into trouble outdoors is that they were unprepared for the weather. Hypothermia is a thing that exists and it can occur even at relatively mild temperatures.
The common advice is to dress in layers. The air that is trapped between the layers of clothing is heated by your body and acts sort of like insulation to keep you warm. The other benefit to layers is that you can add or remove clothing as you go about your day so you stay comfortable.
When you’re dealing with cold temperatures, one of the worst things that can happen is to be drenched in sweat because you’re overheated, due to heavy exertion and/or bulky outerwear. That sweat will chill you and make things worse.
There are three layers at work here.
Base Layer: This is the clothing that is directly against your skin. Ideally, it will be a wicking material, such as polyester, silk, or merino wool. The idea is that the base layer will wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry.
Insulation Layer: This middle layer is where the bulk of your body heat will be trapped to keep you warm. Wool is great as it retains its warming capability even when wet. However, there are synthetics that are also worth considering.
Outer Layer: The objective with the outer layer is to offer protection from the elements, such as wind, rain, and snow. This is sometimes referred to as the shell layer. It should be waterproof or at least water-resistant, and breathable so that it doesn’t trap moisture inside.
Now, that doesn’t mean you only wear three layers of clothing. Just that there are three types of layers. For example, if I’m heading out into bitter cold weather, I might put on a T-shirt, a flannel shirt, a zippered hoodie, and a coat. If I’m out there for a while, say shoveling snow or carrying firewood, I’ll probably warm up enough to remove my coat, or perhaps take off the hoodie and put the coat back on.
I wrote an article a while back on what you should carry in a small wilderness survival kit. Over and over, you’ll read news accounts of hikers who got lost and ended up dying because they weren’t prepared with proper attire and at least a minimal amount of gear. Don’t let it happen to you.
Let’s talk about how to be prepared to handle the elements when you venture into the field, particularly during the winter. Shelter is what protects you from exposure, and that starts with your clothing. One of the biggest reasons people get into trouble outdoors is that they were unprepared for the weather. Hypothermia is a thing that exists and it can occur even at relatively mild temperatures.
The common advice is to dress in layers. The air that is trapped between the layers of clothing is heated by your body and acts sort of like insulation to keep you warm. The other benefit to layers is that you can add or remove clothing as you go about your day so you stay comfortable.
When you’re dealing with cold temperatures, one of the worst things that can happen is to be drenched in sweat because you’re overheated, due to heavy exertion and/or bulky outerwear. That sweat will chill you and make things worse.
There are three layers at work here.
Base Layer: This is the clothing that is directly against your skin. Ideally, it will be a wicking material, such as polyester, silk, or merino wool. The idea is that the base layer will wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry.
Insulation Layer: This middle layer is where the bulk of your body heat will be trapped to keep you warm. Wool is great as it retains its warming capability even when wet. However, there are synthetics that are also worth considering.
Outer Layer: The objective with the outer layer is to offer protection from the elements, such as wind, rain, and snow. This is sometimes referred to as the shell layer. It should be waterproof or at least water-resistant, and breathable so that it doesn’t trap moisture inside.
Now, that doesn’t mean you only wear three layers of clothing. Just that there are three types of layers. For example, if I’m heading out into bitter cold weather, I might put on a T-shirt, a flannel shirt, a zippered hoodie, and a coat. If I’m out there for a while, say shoveling snow or carrying firewood, I’ll probably warm up enough to remove my coat, or perhaps take off the hoodie and put the coat back on.
I wrote an article a while back on what you should carry in a small wilderness survival kit. Over and over, you’ll read news accounts of hikers who got lost and ended up dying because they weren’t prepared with proper attire and at least a minimal amount of gear. Don’t let it happen to you.