Freezing cold and high winds can freeze unprotected flesh/skin in minutes. You need to protect the whole body, hands, head and feet. Heat escapes from the body the quickest through the top of the head. Keep our head covered. A hood with a drawstring is good so that you can cover part of your face too (ears & mouth). A ski mask is a good item also.
Loss of body heat can lead to hypothermia (when the body can not generate enough heat as fast as it looses it and the bodies temp. falls below normal)
Wear Layer-Clothing:
Layered clothes is articles of clothing you can
take off when you are too hot but covered enough to remain warm. Your outer
garments (clothes) should be windproof-not waterproof. You want the clothing to
be able to allow water vapors to pass through. If it is waterproof, condensation
(water vapors) could build up. So, don’t wear waterproof clothing (shirts &
pants).
Your undergarments (underwear) should be made of wool-it doesn’t absorb water
and stays warm even when damp. Cotton, on the other hand absorbs moisture and
when wet can lose heat 240 times faster than when dry.
Openings in your clothing allow heat to escape. Tuck your pants into your socks
or boots. If you don’t have buttons or drawstrings around your ankles and wrist
(cuffs) use some tape or string. Wear insulated gloves. If you don’t have
insulated gloves at least have gloves made of wool.
Feet:
Your feet are another area your body can lose heat quickly. Wear 3 pairs of
socks, making sure the outer pair are larger to fit correctly over the other two
pairs of socks. Insulated boots with a drawstring are ideal for cold
weather/snow traveling. Wet feet are a danger. Also, have an extra pair of boots
and socks in case the ones you are wearing get wet in the inside. Also, it’s
good to carry at least 2 plastic bead bags or grocery bags. These would be used
in an emergency situation if you were to get the insides of your boots wet
causing your feet to get wet. If your feet are not kept in good condition it
will ruin any vacation you’ll on.
To help you remember how to stay safe, warm and healthy during snow or cold
weather just remember the letters: C. O. L. D..
Keep it Clean
- dirt and grease blocks air space
Avoid Overheating
- ventilate
Wear it Lose -
allow air to circulate
Keep it Dry -
outside and inside.
Rules for heat loss:
If heat is lost quickly -- re-warm quickly
If heat is lost slowly -- re-warm slowly
Go over your gear list but make sure to include these additional items when
dealing with snow and/or cold weather:
Insulated gloves, waterproof & insulated boots, long johns
(fleece/wool/thermal) underwear, wool hood/camp that wraps to your head.
Rip-stop wind/snow pants (perfect for the snow weather) to wear over your long
pants which cover your thermal underwear. Wool/thermal socks. Winter Jacket, sun
block, shades (tinted glasses).
Snake Education With A Twist, Inc. 2004 www.snakeeducation.com
