When you’re in the backcountry at this time of year, you’ve got to think hard about staying dry and warm. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation with a case of hypothermia.
We’ve all heard of hypothermia. It’s one of those topics that goes hand-in-hand with spending your winter outdoors. But let’s touch on some of the basics. Hypothermia is a condition that sets in when your core body temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below, causing impaired consciousness. Left unchecked, a person’s heart won’t function properly. Not good.
So what do you do about it? Just think of the acronym COLD. That term, coined by The Mayo Clinic, stands for Cover, Overexertion, Layers and Dry.
Cover: Wear a hat and other protective clothing to preserve body heat, and cover up your hands with mittens instead of gloves (they work better because they keep you fingers in close contact with one another.)
Overexertion: Simply put, don’t overdo it. Working up a huge sweat causes you to lose body heat more quickly.
Layers: Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers are best to preserve your body heat, while loose fitting outer layers of water resistant material are best to shield you from wind.
Dry: Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to your hands and feet, which are most prone to getting wet and cold.
Be smart, stay warm. And get out there and tear it up.