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The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

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Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#101

Post by Tichy »

saraid216 wrote: post #47
sardonicbryan wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So what is the best play then? Wait in the car without the engine running?

About.com (not the best resource, but I googled the answer since I don't know it) recommends running your engine for short periods and cracking the window open. I'm hesitant to actually agree, since cracking the window open doesn't seem like an awesome idea in the middle of a blizzard but... eh. http://weather.about.com/od/winterweather/a/winter_survival....

Not sure, do cars reliably start in the cold?

Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#102

Post by jstanley »

billyjobob wrote: post #20

How old is this article? It seems to use the old Fahrenheit temperature scale. I'm sure my grandfather would understand those temperatures but for myself I had to convert each one into modern units. Eventually I couldn't be bothered and stopped reading.

I didn't understand the temperatures either, and didn't even try to convert any.

The article is really well written and you'd be well-advised to read it despite your grievances with the units.

Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#103

Post by dkarl »

Sam_Odio wrote: post #71

I carry a PLB at all times in my vehicle [1]. In the US this device will summon rescue via satellite. I recommend it for anyone who spends time in remote areas. If you value your life at $1MM and there's a 1 in 3500 chance [2] that summoning emergency services in a remote area will save your life then this is a helpful risk-mitigating tool [3]. 1. http://www.amazon.com/ACR-Electronics-ResQLink-Personal-Loca... 2. $28…

I carry one of those when I go backpacking. The satellite transmission they send to summon rescue includes your GPS position, and they also serve as short-range beacons to help rescuers zero in on you when they get close. That can be crucial if the PLB can't get a GPS lock, because rescuers might only know that you're located somewhere along miles of road or trail. If you're unconscious and out of site a few yards from the trail, the beacon might be the only way for them to find you fast enough to help.

Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#104

Post by Someone »

danso wrote: post #12

This bit about how certain groups of people have somehow developed different responses to cold is fascinating: Were you a Norwegian fisherman or Inuit hunter, both of whom frequently work gloveless in the cold, your chilled hands would open their surface capillaries periodically to allow surges of warm blood to pass into them and maintain their flexibility. This phenomenon, known as the hunter's response, can elevate…

Extreme example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wim_Hof (climbed Kilimanjaro, completed a marathon above the Polar circle, attempted to climb Everest, all dressed in nothing but shorts; claims that Tibetan meditation helps him)

Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#107

Post by pyre »

corin_ wrote: post #31
Locke1689 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's still 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They were talking about outside temperature, not core temperature. I'm also questioning if you have a sense of either temperature scale. It's quite funny to think that it could reach 45 C in England at all, much less that people would freeze to death in it.

My bad, of course you're right. And no, not a great sense of temperature scales - in the UK I pay attention when it's down around freezing (in Celsius) and in LA I pay attention when it's hot, 100+ in Fahrenheit. Other than those two occasions I guess I don't really notice or care. Edit: funnily enough, 45C turns out to be the hottest temperature I've personally experienced, the day LA set it's record high in Septemb…

Easiest way to do off-the-cuff conversions:

- Celsius scale is based on water freezing at 0C and boiling at 100C. That's 32F and 212F, respectively.

- 45C is about halfway between 0C and 100C, so it's about halfway between 32F and 212F.

- Normal body temp 98.7F or 36C.

- Also -40C == -40F. I looked this up once because I was out on a day that where the wind chill was -40F. I thought that I did something wrong when the conversion came out exactly the same. ;-)

Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#108

Post by ciupicri »

smosher wrote: post #82
andyl wrote: post #74

I teach search and rescue people how to travel on skis or snowshoes and live in winter mountains. If you are prepared, you can stay out in sub-zero for days and days very comfortably. A key skill is constant regulation of your body temperature. You never want to become too hot/sweaty or too cold. If too cold - get into shelter, drink something hot, eat carbs, add clothes, move faster. If too hot - remove clothes, or…

The one time I fount myself at risk of hypothermia was because I had overestimated the cold. I put on too many layers which kept me nice and warm. But exertion in that warmth caused me to break a sweat. By the time I got where I was going things were just bad enough to make me feel like I had learned a lesson.

I can't say that I've been in extreme cold or dressed with lots of clothes, but I always undress in order to prevent (too much) sweat. Then I dress back as soon as I'm getting cold.

Re: The Cold Hard Facts of Freezing to Death (1997)

#109

Post by JulianMorrison »

freehunter wrote: post #88
staunch wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get a winch?

I've actually been saving up for a winch. I'd need to get a new bumper to hold a winch though, or mount a hitch to the front end.

Get a hand operated winch you can sling around a tree at the top of the ditch, rather than being permanently anchored to the car? Bonus, it can live inside the car and it won't get dinged in the crash.
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