Immersion Hypothermia - Death at Fifty Degrees

There are two basic types of hypothermia that can cause distinct problems in a survival scenario. While exposure hypothermia is the type most people are familiar with, immersion hypothermia can be just as deadly, if not more so. This is because the heat loss from your body is 25 times as great when you are wet. It also doesn't need to be freezing cold outside because it only takes a drop of about twenty degrees in your core body temperature to bring on the first stages of hypothermia.

With fall weather approaching, many streams, rivers and lakes will become considerably cooler and pose a greater risk of hypothermia. Should you find yourself in a position where you should accidentally slip or fall into a body of water that is much cooler than the ambient temperature of the air, you may expose yourself to the risks of hypothermia. Water temperatures of fifty degrees Fahrenheit can quickly put you in a situation where hypothermia may become a very real problem.

When hiking or trekking through wilderness areas, make sure you cross rivers and streams in a safe manner so as to avoid accidentally becoming soaked. Remember also that as little as two feet of swiftly moving water can cause you to lose your footing and get swept away in the current. Some of the other effects of immersion hypothermia are the initial “cold shock” and the failure of muscles in your extremities which can hamper your efforts to swim or remove yourself from the water. Loss of consciousness can soon follow.

If you do become soaked, you need to keep your head above water and get out of the water as soon as possible and start or begin efforts focused on warming your body to raise its core temperature. One of the most immediate dangers of immersion hypothermia is the possibility of drowning. As your body starts to shut down from the effects of hypothermia, there is a real possibility that you could lose consciousness and end up drowning. You can use hand or foot warmers placed in vital body areas such as the neck and shoulders, arm pits and groin area to help speed up the warming process. Your efforts should be focused in increasing your body’s core temperature first.

Using “H. E. L. P,” or the Heat Escape Lessening Posture can also help return your body’s core temperature to more normal levels.   To assume the HELP position, cross your legs so they touch each other as much as possible. Then pull your knees toward your chest, and cross your arms tightly over your chest. The main idea is to assume a posture that allows as much of your body to touch other parts of your body. This will help you retain as much body warmth as possible.

Always try to avoid circumstances that may put you at risk. Even on a relatively warm day the possibility of immersion hypothermia is a very real danger,

Got warming posture?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Awareness: Anticipating Weather Changes Before They Hit

Surviving in the wilderness requires surmounting numerous obstacles. Do you know the terrain  and can you handle it? Have you done adequate planning for survival foods? Can your body withstand the physical challenge? Will you face animals, illnesses, or other forms of prey?

All of these questions are essential items to consider. And all of the obstacles they imply, while not always manageable, can certainly be controlled to some extent. You can consult maps and visuals to familiarize yourself with the terrain. You can compile a long term food storage list to insure sufficient supplies. You can also train yourself rigorously for the challenge. You can also bring medications and a good first aid kit or weapons to ward off an attack.

But perhaps the biggest obstacle posed by the wilderness is the one that humans are least capable of controlling: climate. While we can always put on more layers of clothing to fight the cold or escape uphill from a flooding river, we cannot turn a hailstorm into a drizzle or a heat wave into a cool breeze. No matter how prepared we are in every other regard, we simply can never insure a moderation of temperature, precipitation, and unforeseen weather events.

We can’t control the weather while in the wilderness but we can still take steps to do the next best thing – anticipate it. Here are a few tips to help you in this task:

1. Carry a barometer. There are several instruments you can carry to gauge weather, but none is more simple or helpful than a basic barometer. If the pressure indicator quickly changes, you’ll know without a doubt that something is happening in the air.

2. Keep your eyes up. It goes without saying that you should always scan the horizon for storm clouds and other impending weather patterns. But, while doing so, you can also look at trees, hillsides, and rivers in the distance, if possible. One of the benefits of the wilderness is its ability to provide distant vistas. These vistas can give you a look into your climactic future.

3. Watch the wildlife. As you probably know, animals are much better programmed to sense impending weather changes than are humans. This means that unusual animal activity – often most clearly displayed by flight patterns of birds in the sky – can alert you to an encroaching weather pattern.

4. Monitor your fluid intake. Sometimes the temperature (or the humidity) rises or drops slowly, making it difficult to quickly discern the change. But your body will react faster than your mind in such a situation as well as in others. For this reason, drinking whenever you’re thirsty and monitoring your consumption can go a long ways towards giving you an idea of changing factors at play.

These tips can hopefully help you better anticipate a change in weather before it hits. Doing so can give you time to prepare yourself for a dangerous situation, either by changing locations, setting up camp, or increasing your nutrient intake. Ultimately, while we can’t make bad weather go away, we are still in control of our bodies and – with some foresight – we can better manage how we respond to it.

Thanks “J “ for an excellent guest post.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - Using “C.O.L.D.” to Stay Warm In Winter

Most military personnel are taught to use the simple acronym "C.O.L.D." to stay warm during cold weather. It is useful in remembering the important things you need to do to keep your body warm during periods of cold weather. Here is an explanation of that simple acronym.

C.O.L.D.

C. is for clean. Make an effort to keep yourself and your clothes as clean as possible.  Clean clothes also work more effectively to insulate your body.

O. is for overheating. Avoid becoming overheated in cold weather. If your body gets overheated, you will start to sweat. This can cause you and your clothes to become wet due to perspiration. This needs to be avoided during cold weather.

L. is for layers. Always dress in layers of clothing that fit loosely. You can add additional layers of clothing if you become cold and you can remove extra layers of clothing if your body begins to overheat. Air space between the layers of your clothing will also help further insulate your body from the cold weather.

D. is for dry. Make an effort to keep yourself and your clothes dry. Items of clothing that dry quickly or wick moisture, such as polypropylene or wool, are good choices to help you stay dry. Use water-proof and “breathable” items to keep rain, snow and wind out but which will also allow perspiration to leave your body. This will also help to keep you dry. You should also make sure all of your essential gear items are kept dry. Give special attention to gear items that need to be protected from cold temperatures. Make sure those items are also well insulated.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Dark Clouds

Dark Clouds

The dark clouds of winter are a typical weather phenomenon this time of year.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Cold Feet

Got cold feet?


Staying above the water line!


Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tools - Weather Gauges

Weather Gauges

A set of weather gauges is perhaps one of the best survival tools you can have. Knowing the current status of weather conditions without having to rely on weather forecasts, which are quite often regional in nature, will help you be better prepared. Many times there can be a drastic change in the weather in areas that are only a few miles apart. 

Now you don't have to be a meteorologist in order to keep track of some fundamental weather conditions but you will need a few basic items to give you an accurate picture of the weather conditions in your immediate vicinity.

The first basic item you should have is a simple thermometer. This will help you keep track of temperature changes both inside and outside your home. Next a good barometer will help warn you if there is stormy weather on the way. A humidity gauge will also help you keep track of moisture levels. Knowing your humidity levels is important for maintaining your food storage items. A few simple weather gauges will also help you in your gardening efforts as well.   Weather has a huge effect on our homes, our gardens and our lifestyles.

Don't forget one of the best weather gauges that is an absolute essential item. This is a simple rain gauge that will help you monitor the amount of rainfall you receive.


It will also help you to keep... 


Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Tracks in the Snow

It's not often that we get snow in South Central Texas but we got a recent dusting of about two inches. This is pretty much nothing compared to what the rest of the country is going through right now. We did experience some"rolling blackouts" which seemed to upset a lot people. Maybe they just don't realize the fragile nature of our country's infrastructure. Oh well, one more reason that it's best to be prepared.

Staying above the snow line!

Riverwalker