Keeping Warm in Unexpected Circumstances

[chairborne commando]

There is currently a c-o-l-d wind blowing through most of W. Washington.
The wind velocity is increased (or it feels that way, anyway) by the 'concrete
corridors' of DT Seattle. Estimated sustained speed approaching 30 mph

I was shivering, tonight. I had on a suit and overcoat. It occurred to me that
if the proverbial balloon had gone up, that I would have been in big trouble
in a very short time.

Waiting for the bus or walking to one's car is one thing, but, what about being outside all night? Or outside for 2-3 nights?

I know, I know, talking about warm clothing isn't very exciting, compared to
freeze dried compasses and folding hatchets and similar items, but it sure can
impress you with it's necessity.

I'm wondering if an 'ensemble' of all wool clothing might not be worth it.
I have avoided wool, since I consider(ed) to be an affectation (even if it looks
good) and most of the time, it's too warm to wear here. But it sure wasn't too warm, today.

 

[Shacknasty Shagrat]

CC, the winds have pushed down from the mountains over here on the east side, and I expect the snow will soon follow.
I have wool outfits for the really tough weather for the following reasons:
1. Wool will keep you warm even when wet.
2. Wool is hard to catch on fire. If it does get hot , it will not melt and leave ugly burns as quickly as synthetics.
3. Wool looks good and lasts a long time.
I would like to thank everyone for all the fish, and I am now ready to proceed with springtime.

 

[Fuzzychick]

Wool socks work well, but body to body heat works as well. I guess it depends on who you're with eh?

 

[momof23goats]

why not carry a space blanket in your pocket? They do get you warmed up in a hurry, and keep you warm. you might drape it around you, then put your coat on.

 

[Double_A]

I love wool for all the properties mentioned. But how about a nice down vest? I bought a couple from Lands End last year. $30 each, very compressable so they stow well & very warm.

 

[tangent]

I remember hearing about a woman who had been raped, severely beaten, and left for dead some years ago. She found a build up of pine needles and crawled into it - forming a cacoon that insulated her well. She survived. (this was fall/winter - but people die from hypothermia in the summer all the time...) Understanding conduction, convection, evaporation, etc. can save your life!

Snow is also a great insulator, but soaked clothes can kill.

-t

other thoughts:

indian builds small fire - sits close, stays warm. white man builds big fire, sits far, stays cold.

a hat is probably your most valuable piece of survival equipment.

 

[Double_A]

Cotton kills in cold damp weather. Wicks heat away very fast. So if you had to run for your life, I wouldn't want to be wearing cotton underclothing in your area of the country. Get some of the new poly fabric undies and a midweight wool suit and a compressible down vest to pull on after you've settled in.

Hiking & Backpacking I would always put on dry underwear before sleeping and wear it the next day. The damp stuff I'd been wearing would keep me cold the whole night.

 

[Jumpy Frog]

I work almost exclusivly outside this time of year. Right now it is 30 degrees with a light rain......trying to snow. I have to head back out into it as soon as I'm done typing this.

A good hat can save your life. I wear a boonie hat for its rain sheding properties and a nice poller-flecce balaclava. I swear by polar-fleece (also known as poly-fleece). I'm wearing some right now in the form of long underwear. Toasty warm below freezing and not too hot till your above 50 or so degrees. If you combine it with a good jacket or even a wind breaker you can stay warm into the low single digits. Also keep dry and most if not all of your body covered.

 

[Mongo]

I always dress for work with the weather in mind. You can do that even if you wear a suit - if it's going to be a scorcher, wear a light weight suit with a light cotton dress shirt underneath. If it's going to be cold, wear a heavy wool suit with a vest or sweater (whatever works for your dress code).

I have a lot more flexibility than that and can wear anything from khakis and a polo to a suit and still fit in.

Always wear a suitable overcoat - you could wear a nice trench coat with heavy lining, a pair of gloves and as Jump said - a hat - and you'd be fine.

You should always have a hat in your office, briefcase or car.

Keep good gear at work and or in your commuter vehicle.

I LOVE this article. http://www.outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=171 There is a part II as well.

Carry a couple trash bags if nothing else.

 

[anasusan]

Don't forget about fur--it blocks wind, snow and rain--and keeps you ultra warm!

You can pick up old furs at thrift stores, church rummage sales, etc--pretty inexpensively if you look around for them.

I just picked up a long shearling coat with a hood for $15 dollars at a church rummage sale--and it can be doubled as a blanket if need be.

 

[Worrier King]

Just as a thought in dealing with immediate the situation C.C. originally posted, if it got really bad where you needed to do something immediately, wrapping and stuffing some newspapers inside the clothes you already have will give you a added degree of wind resistance and help to retain some more body heat.

 

['plain o joe']

Just as a thought in dealing with immediate the situation C.C. originally posted, if it got really bad where you needed to do something immediately, wrapping and stuffing some newspapers inside the clothes you already have will give you a added degree of wind resistance and help to retain some more body heat.

If you're within 5 miles of a 7-11....

dive in to your local market. Get freezer zip lock baggies (quart sized), Ice melt salt, and a bottle of water.




Fill about half a baggie with the salt , add about 2 tablespoons of water, push out air and seal the baggie. Wait about 3-5 minutes....

 

[Dennis Olson]

Wear Thinsulate garments, not wool. You'll be glad you did...