Of all the seasons, Winter is without a doubt the most difficult to survive in. In most cases, the snow and ice will hide most of your resources as well as make every part of survival extremely difficult. Even in the mildest of conditions, survival in the winter is miserable at best but one of the most important types of survival to learn and prepare for if you are a hunter or if you spend any time in the wilderness. The single most dangerous factor of winter survival is Hypothermia. "Hypo" means under, (hence a hypodermic syringe delivers liquid under the dermis - the skin). Normal human core body temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), clinically hypothermia occurs when the core temperature falls below 35°C (95°F) - that's not much of a drop in temperature.
If someone is exposed to cold and inadequately protected, their body will first try to generate more heat through shivering to maintain a normal temperature. If the body can't stay warm by these means, it will start trying to decrease heat loss by decreasing blood flow to the extremities to minimize cooling. Finally, if the loss of heat carries on despite these measures, the body will slow its metabolism to minimize its need for fresh blood flow and oxygen supply. If it is inevitable, then the sooner the body reaches the final step, the better chance of survival so that the organs won't become starved of oxygen. For example, a core temperature of 20°C (68°F) requires only 20% of the oxygen required at normal body temperature of 37°C (98.6°F).
Given these facts, your number one priority in a winter survival situation should be Fire followed by a shelter. With those two items, you stand the best chance of surviving long enough to be rescued. A person can live weeks without food and in most cases, you will have some form of water nearby, so the majority of your time should be spent on firewood and shelter. Only then should you spend time on the other needs.
Survival in cold weather is drastically different from warm weather. Your priorities, as well as your equipment, will be different from what you are used to when dealing with warm weather conditions. If you have followed the preparation steps, you are properly dressed, and you have a well-thought-out survival kit, you should be able to survive at least a week and maybe longer.
Survival in cold weather is drastically different from warm weather. Your priorities, as well as your equipment, will be different from what you are used to when dealing with warm weather conditions. If you have followed the preparation steps, you are properly dressed, and you have a well-thought-out survival kit, you should be able to survive at least a week and maybe longer.
Below are a few tips to assist in a cold-weather survival situation:
Do not make your shelter too big:
Your shelter should be only big enough to fit your body inside, the idea being that your body will help to heat the shelter. You don't want to waste precious body heat on void space.
Construct a platform up off of the ground:
Whether you build a small platform from poles or simply just throw pine boughs or debris on the bottom of your shelter, you must keep your body from making direct contact with the ground. This will eliminate the ground from draining your body heat and it allows moisture to drain away from your body.
Stock enough firewood to make it through the night:
When you think that you have enough, get 5 times more. By getting all of your firewood during the day, you conserve the batteries in your flashlight and besides, it is much easier to find quality firewood in the daylight. It also reduces the risk of injury. When choosing your firewood, try to get a variety of sizes. Large dry dense chunks of wood will burn longer allowing you more time to rest rather than hand-feeding small twigs that will burn up quickly. Small dry twigs, bark, and moss are better for building the fire or producing quick bursts of light and heat. You should try to leave some available firewood close to your shelter for emergencies. If you run out of firewood during the night, you won't need to travel far to get it.
Conserve firewood by keeping the fire as small as possible:
If you have to spend a few days, you are going to need a large quantity of firewood. The more firewood you use means the further that you have to carry it as you burn up everything that is in the local area. Keeping your fire only as big as you need for warmth translates into less work and fewer calories burned. Nevertheless, you should always have plenty of firewood on hand in case the weather changes for the worst.
Always try to build your shelter against a heat reflecting object when possible:
With a good shelter and a reflecting wall, you can stay pretty warm with a small fire. It is best to build next to rocks or trees to help reflect heat to your body. These objects also will retain some residual heat that will help keep you warm and may retain heat for some time after your fire is out.
Utilize natural formations where possible to conserve your resources and energy:
If you can utilize a naturally enclosed or partially enclosed formation, it will save your much-needed calories to be spent on other tasks like collecting firewood. Natural formations may be Rocks, Trees, or anything that is dense and will hold heat.
Note your surroundings during daylight hours:
During the daylight hours, it is to your advantage to memorize landmarks, features, and resources in your local area. This is helpful and will reduce the risk of injury in the event that you need firewood or water after dark.
Use your hat to regulate your body temperature:
Your head is like a radiator. You lose a majority of your body heat through it. Your hat should be the first thing that you remove if you begin to sweat and remove other layers of clothes as necessary.
Stay dry and dry out when possible:
The best way to stay warm is to stay dry. If you get wet, take the time to dry your clothes, boots, and gloves thoroughly.
Recycle rocks to heat your body:
A great way to warm yourself up and to help you stay warm while you sleep is to collect medium-sized rocks and keep them in a pile by the fire. Warm them up and put them inside your pockets and clothes. Be careful not to get them too hot and recycle them in the pile frequently. Done properly, this can save your life. On snow-covered ground, rocks can sometimes be hard to find. Creeks and rivers are good places to find them.
Burn Calories wisely:
If you have food to eat, eat it at night and before you sleep. The digestion process will help to heat your body. Plan and execute your tasks wisely to conserve your energy. Take breaks and always consider your options to eliminate do things twice. Sleep is important to keep your body functioning on fewer calories and your mind working sharply. Sleep when you can but don't waste your daylight hours if there are tasks that need to be done.
The Conclusion
The best way to protect yourself from becoming a statistic while on a wilderness outing is to prepare yourself before leaving your house. Always let someone know where you are going and what time to expect you back. This is a critical step that so many people neglect to do. Take the time to learn about the area where you are going. Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Be prepared not only for the forecasted weather but go a step further and be prepared for bad weather also.
Buy yourself a small backpack and supply it with the basic survival items and then never leave home without it. Know how to use each item and practice with them ahead of time. Don't wait until you are sitting in the rain with only a few minutes of daylight left to try to figure out how a firestarter works. Above all, keep your head on straight at all times, and no matter how bad the situation seems, never panic. If you have prepared properly, then help will be on the way and you will have the tools to survive until they reach you.
Buy yourself a small backpack and supply it with the basic survival items and then never leave home without it. Know how to use each item and practice with them ahead of time. Don't wait until you are sitting in the rain with only a few minutes of daylight left to try to figure out how a firestarter works. Above all, keep your head on straight at all times, and no matter how bad the situation seems, never panic. If you have prepared properly, then help will be on the way and you will have the tools to survive until they reach you.
