STEVE PETTY GAVE A GREAT FORUM ON STAYING WARM AND DRY IN OUR HOMES AND OUTDOORS. 

Steve shared with us the concept of- smaller spaces get warm easier.  Therefore, if we stay in place at home and the energy isn't heating our home, we can create a smaller space for ourselves within our homes to warm easier.  If we stay at home we feel a sense of security from being in our enviroment and from being around neighbors that we know and trust. Steve told us that some of the ways to create a smaller place is to place two mattress' together to form a mattress "sandwich" to sleep in between. He also said that if we have plastic sheeting and duct tape we can close off a part of our home and heat it with a Mr. Buddy Heater, which runs off of propane tanks.  There are other devices designed to use for heat also.  If you look at one of the earlier posts, you can learn to make a heater/cooker out of a paint can.

If we are on the move or out of our home, we can use a tent, box, buildings clothes, food, etc to stay warm. Calorie intake, excercise, the sun, space heaters, fires, handwarmers, insulated spaces can all be used to stay warm. We need to drink water even if we are cold and the water is cold, our bodies need water to stay warm!  Eating Carbs will help alot, more than protein.  Laying clothing is a good method also.  We should avoid cotton as it stays wet a long time.  Wool and synthetics are better for the cold weather.  Wool gloves will keep us warmer than leather or cotton gloves. Wool blankets are the best to use. Steve showed us a "Bivey sack" which he uses to stay warm while on rescue missions.  You can purchase them at REI and other places for about $17+. These can be used by themselves or as an addition to our sleeping bags, blankets, etc.

One way to tell if a person is getting to cold and needs warming is to press on their cheek, the color will go out of that spot.  If the color stays out for more than a few seconds the person is starting to get hypothermic. Get them warmed up.  If a person is already hypothermic try to warm them from the inside out.  If they have frostbite don't thaw them unless they can stay thawed.  Frostbite is detected by pale, waxy skin.

Here are some tips on staying warm, dry, comfortable and surviving:

Outside
When the weather is extremely cold, and especially if there are high winds, try to stay indoors. Make any trips outside as brief as possible, and remember these tips to protect your health and safety: If you are away from home, make a shelter to get out of the wind and moisture.  Snow caves are what Steve uses.  If you don't know about snow caves ask us and we will let you know how to make one. You can use a tent, tarp, pine boughs and many other items to build a shelter.

Dress Warmly and Stay Dry
Adults and children should wear:
• a hat
• a scarf or knit mask to
   cover face and mouth
• sleeves that are snug at the wrist
• mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
• water-resistant  or water-proof coat and boots
• several layers of loosefitting
   clothing
Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly. Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. Also, avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials in contact with the skin greatly increase heat loss from the body. Do not ignore shivering It’s an important first sign that the body is losing
heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

Avoid Exertion
Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don’t overdo it.

Understand Wind Chill
The Wind Chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly, causing skin temperature to drop. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely, even when temperatures are only cool.

Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.

Recognizing Hypothermia
Warnings signs of hypothermia:
What to Do
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately. If medical care is not available, begin warming the
person, as follows:
• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
• Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not
    try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket,  including     the head and neck.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

Adults:
• shivering, exhaustion
• confusion, fumbling hands
• memory loss, slurred speech
• drowsiness

Infants:
• bright red, cold skin
• very low energy

Frostbite
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

Recognizing Frostbite

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:
• a white or grayish-yellow skin area
• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• numbness

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to Do
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If (1) there is fostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2)immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
• Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
• Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
• Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
• Or, warm the affected area using body heat.

For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.

Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
• Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected
areas are numb and can be easily burned.


We thank Steve for sharing his knowledge with us. It was a great evening for all that came. THANKS STEVE!! WE APPRECIATE YOU!  Thanks to his family also for giving him up for the night.

STAY WARM!!