Winter Survival Tips

Be Prepared to Survive: Winter Survival Tips

The only way to endure lengthy exposure to the cold is to be prepared. As with warmer weather expeditions, you must prepare for your expected trip as well as potential dangers that could keep you outdoors longer than expected.

• Attitude Counts: From the start having the proper attitude could save your life. Realize that a simple snowstorm that's unexpected could derail your ability to find home. It's also very likely you can expect to get lost at least a few times. The cold can bite at your body and deeper, leaving you emotionally spent. Having the right attitude, knowing the dangers and preparing will minimize your risk.

• Train and Practice: Training is the key to surviving in the winter wilderness. You need to be able to live off the land, know how find shelter and have the skills to keep yourself safe. It is highly recommended for you to have extensive preparation and training from qualified, experienced professionals in winter survival before you try it.

• Be Equipped: To survive, you must have the proper Winter Hiking Gear|equipment] with you. Survival kits for winter should be specialized for the area and season. They will always include more ways to start fires.

These are essential tips you must have to survive any outdoor expedition.

Winter Camping Survival Tips

There are various aspects about winter camping but the most important is conserving body heat. There are three main ways you can accomplish this:

• Radiation: Holding onto the heat your body naturally gives off is essential. Wearing protective gear, including good gloves, hat, and a scarf protect any exposed body parts. All skin should be covered in layers.

• Conduction: The body absorbs cold when exposed to cold surfaces, such as when you sit on the cold ground or hold cold objects. A good sleeping bag is essential for camping in the cold weather, as is wearing gloves and bringing a campstool.

• Convection: The body loses heat when cold blows against it, such as the wind blowing across any exposed body part. Keep exposure to the wind as minimal as possible, and all body areas covered. Convection heat loss is faster than any other. Being wet intensifies the problem.

Winter survival tips extend farther than this. In everything you do, you must compensate for the cold weather and conditions. Place your tent where it can catch the sunrise in the morning so ice, frost and dew is evaporated quickly. Keep hydrated; being dehydrated leaves the body unable to produce body heat. Also, be prepared for every action and task to take longer in cold air especially cooking (it will take twice as long.) Make one-pot meals that will stick with you.

COLD: It Will Save Your Life

The Boy Scouts of America have an acronym used to help them remember how to stay warm during winter camping in C-O-L-D.

C: Clean; Keep insulated layers clean and fluffy since dirt and sweat will mat down air spaces needed to keep you warm.

O: Overheating; Don't overheat but instead adjust layers of clothing to meet the outside temperature and the types of activities you are doing, sweating too much leaves the body vulnerable in the cold

L: Loose Layers; Loose fitting layers of clothing and not overly tight shoes protect your body's blood circulation which is critical to keeping the body warm, have maximum insulation without constricting circulation

D: Dry; Dry clothing is necessary as damp clothing will cool the skin too quickly bringing on frostbite or hypothermia. Don't use cotton clothing but clothing that pulls moisture off your body. Keep snow off your clothing.