#and it SHOULD be or else they can get moisture trapped under their outer layer which gives skin irritation

[darkwood-sleddog]

Prepping for the annual dog wash like: *adds deshedding shampoo to cart adds deshedding shampoo to cart adds deshedding shampoo to cart

[loribos]

New Post has been published on Toronto Events, Activities and Entertainment

New Post has been published on http://www.torontonicity.com/2017/11/09/10-tips-to-help-you-survive-even-the-toughest-winter/

10 Tips to Help You Survive Even the Toughest Winter

By Lori Bosworth

[Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by Dickies Canada.]

Okay, we have to face facts. The summer weather is long gone and fall has been fleeting…you were lucky if you got to see fall colours in bloom this year due to the ups and downs in temperature. It’s time for a reality check: winter is on the way! Short days, dark nights and mornings and never-ending cold. It’s enough to make you want to hide under the covers.

We have some simple tips for you to not only survive the winter, but actually enjoy it [gasp!]. Here are some life hacks that will prepare you for the worst winter that Canada can deliver.

Make sure you wear the right clothes and boots for winter weather.

1. Wear the Right Clothes for Winter

Whether you are working in the city or hiking across the wilderness there are ways to dress correctly. Of course, living in Toronto means we don’t have to worry so much about outdoor survival, however, cold winter winds can still send chills through your body. Lightweight layers are a great solution wherever you are since the thinner layers will allow you to trap insulating air between them, and of course, you can remove extra layers when indoors. Fleece jackets and jumpers should be a staple of your winter wardrobe for everyday casual wear. Light and quick drying, they provide excellent warmth.

2. Remember to Stay Dry

Even if you are wearing layers, if you allow yourself to become saturated with snow, your clothes will not provide any thermal protection. Ensure you have a waterproof outer layer, preferably using a breathable technical fabric. Fabrics like Gore-Tex are highly water- and wind-proof, but still allow moisture to escape. A light waterproof layer will ensure you maximize your other layers and will prevent wind-chill, which can cause the outside temperature to be considerably lower.

3. Keep Upright

Ice and snow can be treacherous for walking unless you have a good pair of boots. Make sure your boots have a good solid tread to prevent slipping on an unexpected patch of ice. Fortunately, there are many stylish winter boots to choose from, so leave your heels for the indoors rather than ending up in the emergency room as a result of a fall. Believe me, I know from experience!

Walking is a great way to stay fit in winter, photo Lori Bosworth

4. Keep Active

With shorter days and longer nights, it is too easy to hibernate on the couch all winter. But the combination of delicious holiday food and reduced activity may leave you susceptible to catching a cold or flu. We have so many public skating rinks in Toronto that we can enjoy and we’re only an hour away from some great ski hills. Even walking along the trails in our Toronto parks will keep you fit. So embrace winter and get outside to stay active. Spring will be here before you know it and you will already be in shape for the warmer weather.

5. Prevent Winter Colds and Flu

Science tells us that cold weather doesn’t cause the common cold, however, despite this, many of us catch colds in the winter. There are some preventative measure you can take such as taking a Vitamin D supplement, Since we have reduced exposure to the sun in the winter, we need to take extra Vitamin D to maintain strong and healthy bones, as well as help the immune system’s T-cells to fight viruses and bacteria. Look for a supplement that contains both vitamins C and D.

6. Prepare Your House for Winter

Ensure your home is ready for winter by repairing leaks and any exterior problems. Inspect roof tiles and gutters to ensure they are draining properly, and check for any drafts or leaks at windows to prevent heat loss. You can caulk cracks around windows or seal leaks with duct tape to prevent cold air entering. Don’t forget to have your furnace and hot water systems serviced. A bit of preventative maintenance can save you from expensive breakdowns, as well as keep you warm at night.

7. Service Your Car for Winter

After you’ve winterized you house, your car is next. Ensure you have enough antifreeze to top up the radiator. Make an appointment to get your snow tires installed and check your tire pressure often since cold weather can reduce the pressure in your tires. Change your wiper blades and ensure you have windshield wiper fluid in your vehicle for icy conditions. For really icy car windows, mix 2 parts Isopropyl alcohol, 1 part lukewarm water and 1 Tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle and spray on windows. The ice will melt within a few minutes. It is also important to check oil levels ensuring you have the correct oil for the season. If you are unsure, have your car serviced by your local garage to prevent winter breakdowns.

8. Have a Survival Pack Ready

If you remember the ice storm we had in the GTA in December 2013 that resulted in a massive hydro outage, you probably now have a survival pack on hand in your house and car. If you don’t, here are a few reminders: Ensure you have a fully charged cell phone in your car – perhaps you have an older phone kicking around. Even if it is not registered on the network, you can still dial 911 on it in an emergency. Pack a good flashlight in case you need to change a tire. Purchase a cost-effective LED unit, which provides powerful light when you need it. Blankets, water, and food e.g. energy bars will be handy in case you get stuck in a snowstorm. At home, you can prepare a survival pack that includes water and non-perishable food (canned tuna, canned baked beans, nuts, peanut butter, granola bars, dried cereal, crackers, canned or bottled juices). Flashlights, batteries, candles and a battery-powered radio are other necessary items to have in your survival pack. Be careful when using candles as there are over 800 candle fires each year in Canada.

9. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Moisturizer is like having an emergency survival pack for your skin: it is essential to protect and hydrate your skin during the cold and snowy days of winter. Listen up men, because you need moisturizer too! Winter’s dry air can lead to dry, chapped skin, redness and other issues. Get into the habit of applying moisturizer on your face and hands before you go out into the cold. And don’t forget your gloves to keep your hands soft and smooth.

10. Get Away From It All

Hate the bad weather? Fortunately, when it’s cold here, it’s hot somewhere else. Winter is a great time for an affordable break, often vacation prices are lower (except March break) and the benefits of leaving the cold weather are worth the effort.

Just make sure you pack for the great weather, but ensure you have your warm winter coat for when you return. Of course, that’s assuming you do plan to return!

I hope you stay healthy and safe with these tips to help you survive winter.

[thecoroutfitters]

For the average Joe out there, myself included, winter camping usually means renting a cabin somewhere nice in the mountains and spending the holidays with friends, family, and a few bottles of booze while chatting, listening to CCR and enjoying the downtime. (Still I would survive out there without these, if I have to.)

However, there are hardcore outdoors aficionados who actually resent the idea of camping in a heated cabin by a romantic wood stove. That’s not camping – it’s glamping.

Moreover, there are adventurous folks who prefer to grab their backpack, rent a snowmobile, and go somewhere in the wilderness away from the mad world, the rush, and the insanity of civilization for a few days or weeks.

Regardless of what your pleasure is about camping during winter, there are a few tips and tricks you should know before going out in the cold.

Hypothermia is a very “cold” (pun intended) fact to consider if camping outside in extreme weather conditions. If you want to return home in one piece, with all your thumbs and toes in working condition, then keep reading, as I will share with you some important information about how to stay warm even in -45 F. Okay, maybe not toasty warm when it’s that cold, but you got the idea.

To begin with, you should be realistic and realize that winter camping is not for everyone. However, if you’re properly equipped and trained, you may very well have the time of your life even on Everest.

Let’s begin with the basics: pre-trip planning. Pre-planning prior to any type of endeavor is the key to success, especially if we’re talking about camping during winter.

If you remember that old Bob Dylan song, you don’t need a weatherman to tell you where the wind blows. In other words, regardless what the weather forecast says, you must always prepare for the worst winter conditions possible. Better safe than sorry, right?

1. Plan Your Trip

Even if it may sound like overkill, make sure you’ll be packing all the emergency supplies you’ll ever need in a winter survival situation, such as extra food and water supplies (or means to procure water by melting snow and ice), extra clothes, etc., especially if you’re going somewhere remote.

Also, if the weather conditions are likely to bad, as in dangerous bad, you should play it safe and postpone your trip, that is, if you don’t want to win the Darwin award, if you know what I mean. If not, Google it. It’s fun in a macabre sort of way.

Pack light, but don’t scrimp on essential gear, like a camping snow shovel, plenty of lighting, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, ski poles/walking poles and always go for a strong/sturdy waterproof tent.

20 Survival Uses For An Emergency Survival Blanket. Get yours today! 

2. Take a Friend With You

Another crucial rule when it comes to winter outdoors survival is a rule I’ve learned from a Jack London novel. Never travel alone. Period.

3. Research the Campsite

Research the area you’re going to visit, check the surroundings, see if there’s a forest nearby (read firewood), see if there are any villages or small towns around, learn how long it will take to get from point A to B, etc. We’re living in the age of Google Maps and satellite imagery, so you don’t have any excuse not to get proper intel before going in!

Choose the right campsite (the sun is your best friend during the winter, so check out where it rises), start your fire first thing, before anything else, plan ahead, and stay warm folks.

4. Inform Your Family & Friends

Also, remember to inform your friends and family about your whereabouts, i.e. where you’re going to be for the next couple of days/weeks or whatever, thus making sure you’ll be able to get help if SHTF. If you can give them a detailed map of your route, that’s even better.

5. Keep Warm

Now, let’s talk about keeping warm. Obviously, the main thing to consider when camping outside during the winter is the right clothing. That’s the detail that will make all the difference in the world.

Dress in Layers

Layers is the word. Wear layers of clothing, as layers are the outdoors explorer’s best friend, besides a good fire. Layers work by trapping air between them, thus insulating your body from the cold. A few layers of clothing are more efficient than a single one, regardless of how thick it is.

Also, stay away from cotton clothes, because cotton absorbs moisture (you’ll get sweaty at some point during your trip) and damp or wet clothes are your worst enemy when it’s cold outside.

Basically, you should use three layers of clothing: the base layer, something like a second skin which helps you trap the body heat (synthetic materials/merino wool are the best for the base layer), the mid layer, which works as the main insulator (you can go for fleece lined trousers/heavy fleece) and the outer layer, which must be waterproof.

Keep Your Feet Warm

Feet are the infantry’s secret weapon, as my old drill sergeant used to say, so when you go out camping during the winter, pay extra attention to your feet.

To avoid cold feet, keep your cotton socks at home and go for polyester socks or wool socks. Specialty stores stock special foot gear (read socks and boots) designed for hiking. Obviously, the boots are very important too, as they must be waterproof and grippy, especially if you’re going to hike through the snow or ice.

Never Neglect Your Head and Your Hands

A huge amount of body heat, almost half of it in fact, is lost through the head during the winter, so make sure you wear a hat that’s going to block the wind and keep your heat in. Finally, don’t forget a nice pair of gloves.

6. Know Your Gear

The sleeping bag is an essential piece of gear when it comes to winter camping, so know your gear well if you want to survive low night-time temperatures. The idea is that you’ll require a high-quality sleeping bag if you want to be comfortable during the night and wake up healthy.

Or, double up your existing one just in case by putting one inside the other. Remember to always put a foam roll mat (or 2) under your mattress.

The idea is that shelter is pretty important when camping during the winter, as you may experience snowstorms, strong winds, and the whole palaver. Don’t get cheap on your tent, nor on your sleeping bag. They can make the difference between waking up relatively warm and safe and having somebody find your popsicle body.

7. Know Your Body

Together with knowing your gear, knowing your body is very important. Some folks sleep cold, others sleep warm. There are variables, like your age, sex, fitness level, experience, the amount of body fat and lots of other factors, which differentiate between the comfort levels achieved by different people using the exact same gear.

If you’re not familiarized with winter camping, it’s better to be over-prepared than not prepared enough. I am talking about layers of clothing, sleeping bags, and just about anything else that counts toward survival.

Go to Sleep Already Warmed Up

Always remember to go to bed, (inside your sleeping bag that is) already warmed up. The idea is that warmth cometh from within, while the sleeping bag is playing just the insulation part, so if you’re freezing and sleepy, do a few press ups/sit ups or just jump around a little before getting inside your sleeping bag. You’ll thank me later.

Eat Late

Another trick for a good night’s sleep while winter camping is to eat late, ideally a hot meal just before going to sleep. The ideal meal would be fatty (as opposed to carbohydrates), as fat gets metabolized slowly by your body (it lasts longer) and, needless to say, you’ll require fuel to make heat, right? Cheese, olive oil, bacon, pork; you know what I am talking about.

Eat high-energy food at all times, preferably in the form of warm meals. If you can’t, go for nuts, chocolate, and energy bars. Cover your exposed skin in animal fat or vaseline, just like the Inuit have been doing forever, thus preventing frostbite and windburn.

Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry

Keep your sleeping bag dry at all costs, add more layers outside eventually as you need them. This doesn’t have to be clothes; it can be as simple as putting a metallic survival blanket over your sleeping bag.

This Emergency Survival Blanket helps retain 90% of your body heat. Get yours now! 

Video first seen on Survival Frog. 

Avoid breathing into your sleeping bag while sleeping (it introduces moisture) and sleep with your boots in your bag. Put them at the bottom of your sleeping bag so they don’t freeze during the night.

Leave your water filter at home and concentrate on boiling the snow. Chemical filters work painfully slow in the cold while mechanical ones may crack/fail due to the cold.

Hydrate

Don’t forget to drink enough water, even if you don’t have your usual thirst reflex, which is common in extreme cold. However, dehydration is a serious danger in sub-zero conditions, especially if you’re sweating. Also, a lot of moisture gets lost while breathing in and exhaling the cold air, as the air is very dry during the winter.

Try to prevent your water supply from freezing, but that’s easier said than done.

If you have other ideas or suggestions, feel free to comment in the dedicated section below.

This article has been written by Chris Black for Survivopedia. 

0 total views, 0 views today

Rate this article!

[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]

from Survivopedia Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag