Cold Weather Primer(related to winter hunting/camping)

[DngrsDan]

Back in my wilder days I spent a winter guarding a cabin for some folks in the mountains of Colorado. Using the outhouse on a -30 degree night was an experience! I took a styrofoam cooler and cut out a toilet seat to use in place of the one in it. It provided GREAT insulation and warmed up as soon as you sat on it.
I would say that having a piece of that on your tree stand seat to sit on would be beneficial. It would provide more insulation that just a piece of carpeting.

[Curtiss Cardinal]

ttt as the cold weather is returning.

[Uncle Buck]

Dont forget to leave your jewelry at home, especailly that expensive watch with the heavy gold or stainless steel band, it will suck the heat right out of you. I have a friend who used to use sterno under a survival type blanket to keep his lower body warm- he quit after he set himself on fire while drawing on a doe- luckily his woolrich pants kept anything important from being singed, and no he did not get the deer

[Curtiss Cardinal]

Natural fire retardance is another reason to wear wool.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by C2:
TTT4 mysticguido

Why thanx, Great info you posted. I would like to add if you heat up some rocks you can use them to help keep you warm and they also help in drying clothes and mostly socks. If you can heat up so water and have it in a canteen, put the canteen in you're sleeping bag to keep you warm as you sleep.

Better yet move to a warmer place like I did this Year. I left The Great northeast to Live in Tejas.

[George D. Stout]

ttt for Curtis and the gang.  Tis' important 8^).

[Autumnarcher]

Being able to keep warm is important, but along with that, so is being able to recognize the early warning signs of hypothermia. It doesnt have to be cold outside, hypothermia can begin in fairly mild conditions.

I had an experience this summer while fishing, a front came through, dropping temps to 65-70 degrees, along with 15-20 mph winds and rain. By the time we got to the dock after a 5 mile run in 4 ft waves, I was soaked to the bone and shivering. It was starting.

Early signs are subtle. Cold and /or pale hands,feet, ears, nose, or head are signs the body is shunting blood away from the periphery to maintain core heat. This is followed by shivering, increasing to an uncontrollable level. Loss of finger dexterity, and coordination soon follows. As blood is re-directed away from the extrmities muscle control and coordination fails.

Next, as the brain starts to cool, confusion begins, leading eventually to sleepiness and finally unconsciousness. Death isnt far behind.

You or your partner may have start showing signs by slowing your pace, drowsiness, stumbling more often, slurred or difficult speech. Irritability, hallucinations,or loss of perceptual contact with your environment may occur. Decreased shivering and muscle rigidity.

Late signs of a grave condition may include blue skin, dilated pupils, and decreased heart and rspiratory rates.

This is as urgent a medical emergency as a heart attack. With out treatment, death is likely.

Ok, so what to do? Get yourself or your partner out of the elements. Remove wet or froen clothing, keep dry and wrap in blankets or extra clothes. Call for help.

DO NOT POUND OR BEAT ON arms, legs or torso! Rough handling of severe hypothermia patients can trigger a fatal heart arrythmia.

Get the person to a hospital if symptoms are severe.

The problem with hypothermia is, it can cloud your ability to recognize serious symptoms. You tend to tough it out, until all of a sudden you cant stop shivering, you stumble and have trouble speaking. Your dexterity in your hands is failed or failing fast, and you cannot start a fire, or use your keys to start your car.

If you notice early symptoms, get indoors, warm up and prevent getting into serious trouble.Always carry a means to start a fire, or to get warm.