Winter is Coming

[BeardyMan]

WINTERS COMING

With the night’s drawing in and temperatures falling, winter is announcing its arrival. This will soon be confirmed when the clocks go back. At least this year we had a touch of summer which helps to shorten the coming period of cold damp weather.

Keeping warm is a priority both indoors and outdoors and easily achieved by a little knowledge and an understanding of the body’s needs. The body can only work efficiently when a constant core temperature is maintained, this core temperature is 98.6F/37C. All the vital organs like the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys can only operate efficiently at this temperature and are affected by the slightest of temperature change, which can cause major problems. A drop in core temperature can lead to HYPOTHERMIA (too little heat) and a rise in core temperature can lead to HYPERTHERMIA (too much heat).

The vital organs are arranged in the body like a skittle ball, the head being at the top which is not well insulated. The other organs are better protected and insulated in the body’s cavity. They remain healthy and efficient when a good blood supply at the correct temperature is provided, but things go drastically wrong when this fails.

The peripheral or shell temperature can be many degrees lower than the core, and although unpleasant, is not critical. When the body is cold it ensures the vital organs still receive an adequate supply of blood by closing down supply to the extremes . The hands and feet are the first to be affected.

The key to keeping warm is to trap as much air as possible between the layers of clothing and the skin. Pay special attention to areas where large blood vessels run close to the surface. This includes the head, neck, groin and kidneys. If cold put on a hat, more than 20 % of heat is lost through the head. Wear a scarf to protect the neck where large blood vessels run up either side. Wearing several layers of clothing is ideal which will help trap air and insulate the body. But a mistake is to have all the top layers of the same length ending around the waist. Protect the kidneys which can be exposed if working hard. Clothing rides up and the trousers can slip down as they get wet and heavier. My early warning to stop and put on more clothes comes from a tingling discomfort I get in this area. This warns me to do something about it. Cellupettes are ideal for the outside layer as they come up to the chest ensuring that the kidneys are always covered.

Try to wear as little clothing as possible, as you can always put on more if cold. Overheating can cause more problems than being slightly chilled. Sweat formed from exertion, quickly cools, leaving the inner layers wet much the same as being wet from the rain. Waterproofs are bad for this, forming condensation. Only use them for heavy showers or when you stop. Wearing a heavy pack will wear the material on the shoulders allowing the garment to leak, rendering it no longer waterproof. When doing anything energetic, strip down and when finished put on extra clothing. Always have dry clothing available, but you must keep it dry. Carry it in a waterproof bag and take it off when you start moving again. When you stop for the day, erect your shelter and change out of your wet clothes into dry only when you are under cover. Hang up all discarded clothing, don’t leave it on the ground.

The sweat soaked clothes attract every living insect who are desperate for salt. When you move off, put on the wet clothing and stow away the dry. This takes discipline but well worth the initial discomfort as you will get the benefit of the dry clothes when needed. If you do get everything wet, not only are you carrying extra weight but have nothing for an emergency. Take the time to dry your kit out. Light a fire if possible but don’t place the clothes too close to the flames or leave unattended. Although the wind can cause major problems its one redeeming factor is it’s useful for drying kit.

Heat is lost when walking by a billowing affect. If the clothing is not secured at the neck, cuffs, waist, or trouser bottoms, heat is driven out. This is good to leave them open to avoid overheating, but at the first sign of chill or when you stop, secure these. Good garments have draw strings to be able to do this.

If the conditions are bad seek shelter, there is only one winner if you try to fight nature. Get out of the wind using natural features like rocks, trees, and gullies. Next get out of the rain. This could be just sitting under a poncho waiting for conditions to improve so you can put up a tent. If in a group huddle together with one poncho underneath insulating you from the ground, and one used to wrap around and tucked well in to prevent draughts. Lighting a candle under the poncho throws out a surprising amount of heat.

Always take a weather forecast before venturing out. Plan your route carefully so you can cut it short if necessary. Dropping off the high ground on the lee side of a feature will get you out of the wind. If you choose a route that is crossed by tracks and roads, these can be used in an emergency. If you are unexperienced in the outdoors build up slowly increasing the distance each time you go out. Get familiar with the terrain and try out your equipment and clothing before committing yourself to a demanding remote area. You can get a false impression on a route especially on a fine day when the sun is shining. Next time you attempt it, if it’s wet and windy you will be surprised how a simple route can become so demanding. Always carry the correct equipment even on a short walk. Carry a sleeping bag, poncho, dry clothing, and rations, as standard.

MAIN DANGER

Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat quicker than it can generate it. A combination of the rain, wind, and low temperature, are the main causes. Injury and exhaustion will speed up the onset. The young and the old are particularly vulnerable and certain body types and level of fitness also play an important part. Anxiety, soaked clothing, and exhaustion, also contribute to hypothermia. This is where good training comes in to avoid this.

You will put yourself at risk if you don’t recognise the early signs of hypothermia. Shivering, goose bumps, and loss of dexterity should warn you of the coming dangers. Pay attention to the conditions and make a decision before it’s too late. If you stumble on when you are experiencing any of the signs, it’s like being drunk, you don’t see the dangers and start acting irresponsibly. Seek shelter why you still have the energy to do so. Get off the high ground and make camp. Put something warm on and make a brew. Eating will help restore body temperature. Never drink alcohol when exposed in bad weather. It allows the arteries to dilate and pump blood away from the core to the extremes, where it is cooled. This will speed up the condition, and cloud your judgement.

If you are in a group and start to feel the effects of the weather, you can assume the others are feeling it also. If one person goes down it puts a great strain on the remainder of the group. Standing around while the victim is being treated and then having to carry their kit or even the casualty puts a great strain on the group. So early recognition of the signs and symptoms are essential, don’t ignore them. When the shivering stops people think they are recovering but this sign is a turn for the worse.

The aim when treating a casualty is to prevent further heat loss, and restore the core temperature. This is achieved by getting the victim to shelter, removing wet clothing, and replacing it with dry kit. Insulate the casualty from the ground by laying them on packs. If no substantial shelter available, hold a poncho over them held by the group as you change their clothing. Start at the head and put on a hat. Take one item off at a time replacing as you go. Start at the top, remember the skittle shape it is this area that is critical. Don’t warm the hands and feet as this will encourage blood to flow to the extremes which we initially want to avoid. Once the patient is in dry kit and in a sleeping bag, you can start warming the extremes.

Although hypothermia is associated with winter, it can strike at any time of the year, especially on high ground. Most incidents are caused when the temperature is just above zero, with high winds. People get caught out by a sudden change in the weather, wearing the minimum of clothes and not carrying the correct equipment.

I will never forget when I was running selection in the Regiment. It was late August on a Sunday, and Peny Fan, the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons, was like a scene from Butlins. Women were wearing bikinis and sunbathing, with hoards of hikers arriving in droves, wearing their Sunday best. Without warning the sun disappeared and torrential rain spoilt the scene. Luckily there is a well established path down to the road, and everyone made it, but their Sunday afternoon stroll became a nightmare and could have ended in tragedy.

Never underestimate the power of nature, always be prepared.



John "Lofty" Wiseman.

[Scythe13]

Really good post mate, I was about to congratulate you on the science lesson and the alike, and then I saw the Lofty Wiseman bit.

To be fair, the guy is awesome, and the post is well received.

I didn't think about how a pack would wear the shoulders of clothing. It's obvious now I think about it, but it wasn't something I'd ever considered before.

The only thing I'd disagree with Lofty on is the "Main Danger" part. Hyperthermia is much more savage a killer than hypothermia, however it's 1000 times less likely in the winter haha.

With the temperature drop, the amino acids and such are still biologically available. However, if your body temperature goes too high, then the enzymes and the rest denature and stop working. This can WILL cause you to die. Granted hypothermia can kill you too, but it's much harder to cool down than it is to warm up. With warming up you have exercise, sexercise, clothing, fire, space blankets, dry clothing, hand warmers, and the alike. It's damn hard work to pick up and carry a block of ice in the summer. Well technically it's even harder to find a block of ice in the UK summer, but you get what I mean.

With winter on it's way, this article is a brilliant reminder mate. Well posted.

Interestingly, it's more important now that in winter. No joke, more people get hypothermia outside in the autumn than in the winter (old people in winter tend to get it while inside). Reason being, in the winter people generally wrap up warm. While in Autumn, they are less well prepared for the cold night temp drops.