Ways to Stay Warm When Outdoors
Most people enjoy spending their time in the great outdoors, whether that be hiking, climbing, fishing, snowmobiling or surfing. However, in winter, the great outdoors can turn dangerous, leaving you with potential fatal weather elements, and no place to shelter. In those cases, where a storm comes on suddenly or an accident happens and you find yourself stranded with no shelter nearby, and no way to call for help, it's important to know different ways to stay warm when trapped outside. Between snow, freezing temperatures, and a scary wind chill, things can turn dangerous quite quickly.
Most everyone knows that if you are going outside in the cold weather, you need to be dressed for the elements, which includes a warm hat, gloves, coat, scarf, and a good pair of boots. However, even with all of that, if you are outside for extended periods of time, you may find that you encounter weather that your gear is unable to protect you from. In the case of this extended exposure, we have some ways to stay warm when trapped outside. This way, you will be able to survive a dire situation, even with no help in sight.
There are several ways to stay warm when trapped outside, and some occur before you even head outside.
- Eat a large breakfast. This should be done before heading out for any outdoor adventure, but this is especially true in the morning. Oatmeal, porridge, things that will stick to your ribs are all a good idea and will keep your body generating heat, even in freezing temperatures.
- Rub your wrists together. Blood vessels are close to the surface, so if you rub your wrists together and generate heat, then it'll travel to your heart faster, and heat the rest of your body.
- Stay standing. Even if you are tired or injured, do your best to stay standing. If you sit down on the cold, your heat will transfer to the cold ground or wherever you are sitting, and you will get colder much faster.
- Move around. If you can, this will also help your body to generate heat. Just don't exert yourself to the point of exhaustion, as that will not help you in the long term. But if you can walk around continuously or at least shuffle around a small area, that will help your body stay warmer for longer.
- Stay dry. Don't go near water, and don't work up too much of a sweat. Sweat is the body's way of cooling itself down, but sweating in the winter with no sign of shelter or help coming can be exceptionally dangerous, as it will accelerate the cooling process your body is already undergoing.
- Keep your torso warm. If you can add any extra layers to your core, do so. It'll help to keep the rest of your body warm as well, even if it seems counterintuitive at first.
- Stay hydrated. Another thing that seems a bit counterintuitive, but staying hydrated helps your body to stay warm, so stay hydrated out in the snow, and you'll stay warmer.
- Find the sun. Try to face the sun whenever possible, and let the warmth from it warm you up.
All of these tips are great ways to stay warm when trapped outside and may be the difference between life and death in a dire situation.