When it comes to disasters, knowing how to survive extreme weather is one of the golden rules to know. That is because just as disasters and emergency situations can be unpredictable, so too is the weather itself.
Not all disasters are weather-related and so understanding how to survive the worst of it, goes a long way to helping you prepare.
I want to highlight 6 specific things in this article that I think will help you prepare for such a situation. It’s important to remember that, because of the weather’s total unpredictability, your own location will determine how much of the following information is relevant to you. Not all places on earth suffer from extreme cold, just like other parts don’t experience extreme heat.
For this article, I’d like to focus on how to survive extreme weather when on the cold side, because I think it’s probably one of the more common for people to deal with.
For some reason, the icy arctic blasts always leave people wondering how to protect themselves. Here are 6 ways for you to help yourself survive extreme weather.
To Help You and Your Family Survive Extreme Weather
Tip #1: Plan for the Cold
Planning for the cold is one of the best ways to deal with it when it does finally arrive. Without a plan, you might find yourself virtually frozen within mere hours of any significant event.
When building your bug out bag, be sure to include things like thermal blankets, waterproof methods for starting fires to ensure you have heating at your fingertips.
Something often forgotten is a spare pair of socks. As mentioned below, your feet are one of the priority zones and will often lead to the rest of your body freezing. If your feet get wet, having a simple change of socks could make all the difference.
Tip #2: Layer Your Clothing
Consider anymore than 4 layers of clothing a waste. Start from the inner layer and work your way out, but be sure not to wear anything too restrictive.
The clothing needs to be comfortable, with the outer layer needing to be both wind and water-resistant. Above all, avoid jackets with buttons and instead choose zippers.
Tip #3: Priority Heat Zones
While your fingers may feel like they need the most protection, the truth is your core needs the greatest warmth. Consider your chest, back, and stomach as your main priority, closely followed by your feet. Ensure you have a minimum of 3 layers covering your middle, including a wind-resistant jacket.
You need to keep your feet dry, so keep a spare pair of socks handy. Thick woolen socks are best, coupled with boots that are water-resistant and well-fitting. Priority heat zones need the most attention when considering a heating plan, so think ahead for these.
Tip #4: Balance the Water
The problem with adding more layers to your clothing is that heat is trapped beneath them. This normally increases sweat production, which then leads to another problem. You see, water has a more potent thermal capacity than air, which will lead you to cool down much faster, despite feeling hot.
Although you will want to make sure that every single inch of your body is covered in clothing, save for your face, of course, make sure the clothing is of the breathable variety. That way, you’ll avoid the unnecessary ramifications of wearing wet clothing.
Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Eat and Drink
The human body will not survive without water for longer than 72 hours. That’s 3 short days. But you’ll need to avoid huge drinking sessions because to stay optimally hydrated, make sure you take slow and steady sips instead of large gulps.
When it comes to food, remember the types of foods commonly know to ‘warm up your insides’. I like to suggest meat-laden soups, because they tend to take care of both food and water at the same time.
Tip #6: Stay Dry to Survive Extreme Weather
I doubt there is anything that makes more sense on this page than this tip. If you find yourself stuck in subzero conditions, the last thing you want to be is soaked to the bone. It will make short work of you, virtually freezing you along with the water trapped in your clothing.
Make sure you keep moving while warming up. Not only will this increase your blood circulation, but it will also warm you because of it.
It makes sense to keep moving when setting up camp anyway, as it will take an effort to ensure you have the proper shelter set up to protect yourself from the weather.
Try and get a fire going as soon as it is practical, as the heat will help keep you warm and dry. Dry clothing won’t pass on the cold wind as much as wet clothing will. As long as the clothing you wear is breathable, sweating shouldn’t really factor in while you work on setting up camp.
