As the global climate changes, extreme cold weather is occurring with increasing frequency, especially during winter cold snaps when low temperatures, strong winds and blizzards often pose serious survival challenges. Whether we work in polar environments or go about our daily lives in cold regions, we need to know how to stay warm and safe in extreme cold weather. This article will provide some practical advice and methods around how to protect and keep warm in extreme cold weather.
Wearing the Right Clothing
The most basic and important means of keeping warm in extremely cold weather is to wear appropriate clothing. According to the principle of layering, choosing the right material and combination of clothing can effectively prevent heat loss.
- Inner layers: wicking sweat and keeping warm
The role of inner clothing is to keep the body dry and prevent sweat from freezing on the skin. Materials with good wicking properties, such as polyester, wool or functional underwear, should be chosen, as they can help to wick away excess sweat while keeping you warm. Avoid cotton underwear as cotton tends to absorb moisture and cause the body to feel cold. - Middle layer: heat retention and insulation
The main purpose of a mid-layer is to provide an extra layer of insulation to prevent heat loss. Down jackets, fleece garments and wool sweaters are good choices. Down has excellent insulating properties and provides good warmth even in very cold weather. Fleece clothing, on the other hand, is suitable for wetter environments as it retains warmth even after being wet with sweat. - Outer layers: windproof and waterproof
Outer clothing should be windproof and waterproof to protect against the cold wind and precipitation outside. Windproof jackets, windbreakers, and punch jackets should be made of breathable, waterproof fabrics such as Gore-Tex and softshell. These fabrics can effectively insulate against wind and cold, and keep moisture out of the body to avoid cold caused by moisture.
Protecting Exposed Areas
Exposed areas such as the head, hands and feet are the most susceptible to freezing in extremely cold environments, so extra care must be taken to keep them warm and protected.
- Head
About 30% of body heat is lost through the head, so a warm hat is very important. Choosing a hat that is well insulated and comfortable can help prevent heat loss. Woolen hats, earmuffs or hats with windscreens are ideal. Especially in cold and windy environments, wearing a hood or a hooded jacket can add protection to your head. - Hands
Hands are susceptible to frostbite due to poor blood circulation, especially in cold and humid environments. Wearing warm gloves is a must. It is recommended to choose double-layered gloves (e.g. thin inner layer with thick outer layer) or specially designed gloves for extreme cold, which can effectively insulate them from cold air and provide dexterity when needed. - Feet
Keeping your feet warm requires not only choosing well-insulated shoes, but also focusing on socks. Wool socks or high-performance functional socks are preferred as they provide good warmth and breathability. Shoes should be waterproof, warm and have good anti-slip properties, especially in snow and ice, anti-slip design is particularly important.
Maintaining Proper Body Temperature
In addition to wearing the proper clothing, maintaining your body’s core body temperature is another key component of dealing with extremely cold weather.
- Moderate activity
Although extremely cold weather can be uncomfortable, moderate physical activity improves circulation and helps maintain body temperature. Prolonged periods of time in cold environments can lead to a rapid drop in body temperature, so try to avoid prolonged periods of standing still. Short periods of walking, exercising or doing some minor gymnastics can be effective in raising body temperature. - Eat right and supplement calories
In cold weather, the body uses more energy to stay warm and therefore needs extra calorie support. You should ensure that you consume enough high-calorie foods, especially those rich in fat and protein, such as nuts, meat and dairy products. Also, warm drinks such as hot soup, hot tea and hot water can help raise body temperature and avoid cold irritation. - Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
In cold environments, many people are accustomed to warming up by drinking alcohol, believing that it will quickly warm the body. In reality, however, alcohol dilates blood vessels, leading to a rise in body surface temperature, which actually accelerates the loss of body heat and makes you feel colder in the long run. Therefore, alcohol should be avoided or kept in moderation in extremely cold weather.
Emergency Protection and Frostbite Prevention
Frostbite is one of the most serious health risks in extremely cold environments, especially when temperatures are extremely low and wind speeds are high. Frostbite usually occurs on exposed areas such as hands, feet, ears and nose, and it is important to take prompt action when symptoms such as whitening, stiffness and tingling of the skin occur.
- Shelter from the cold as soon as possible
Once you feel cold or have the precursor of frostbite, you should seek shelter in a warm place as soon as possible, take off your soaked clothes and slowly restore your body temperature in a warm environment as much as possible. Do not use hot water, open flames or vigorously massage the frostbitten area, as this may cause blood vessels to rupture and aggravate the frostbite instead. - Use of portable heating devices
Carrying some portable heaters or electric heating devices can also be an effective means of keeping warm in extremely cold environments. These devices can quickly provide heat to help raise your body temperature. Especially when working outdoors, portable heating devices can keep your body temperature up and reduce the risk of frostbite. - Take precautions against frostbite
Maintain good living habits, avoid wearing wet clothing and shoes, regularly check the condition of exposed parts of the body, and promptly adjust what you wear to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold. - Portable heating devices and real-time temperature monitoring
New trends in portable heating devices and real-time temperature monitoring are transforming how we stay warm in extreme cold. Compact, lightweight heating devices are now commonly used to quickly restore body temperature in freezing environments. Many of these devices come with temperature sensors that allow users to monitor their core temperature and adjust their clothing or behavior accordingly. This new technology offers enhanced protection against frostbite by providing immediate, customizable warmth, particularly in outdoor and emergency situations.
Conclusion
In extreme cold weather, warmth and protection are key to ensuring life safety and health. Through reasonable clothing, moderate activities, adequate diet and scientific emergency measures, we can effectively cope with the challenges posed by the cold and protect ourselves from frostbite and other extreme weather hazards. At the same time, understanding the characteristics and hazards of extreme cold weather, staying alert and taking precautionary measures can enable us to live and work more safely and comfortably in a cold environment.
