Sarah Holland
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 09/00) - Remember this acronym: COLD. It might save your life.

C: clean. Insulation is effective when heat is trapped by dead air space. Air space is lost when layers become matted and aren't kept aired out and clean.

O: overheating. Layers are the key to not overheating and regulating the amount of insulation.

L: loose layers. Circulation is important to staying warm; you need lots of blood flowing to all body parts. If your layers are too tight, they will inhibit circulation and promote coldness and frostbite, especially in the extremities.

D: dry. Damp clothing cools your skin and makes your body unable to retain heat. Brush snow from your clothing before it melts and ensure you don't perspire too much from too many layers.

Bedding down

There are a number of points to remember as you prepare your sleeping quarters outdoors.

A mummy-style sleeping bag is warmer than the traditional rectangular one, as there is less space for your body to heat. Choose a sleeping bag with a hood for added warmth.

Do not sleep with your head under the covers, as this will increase the humidity inside, and reduce the insulating properties of, the bag. Insulate yourself as much as possible from the ground, and if you choose to sleep on a mattress, use one of foam instead of air. A bag liner made from a wool blanket will greatly increase the warmth of your sleeping bag.

To prevent heat loss from your head, wear a stocking cap and a loose-fitting sweatshirt with a hood to bed. Never go to bed wearing damp clothing.

Before you get dressed in the morning, bring your clothes into the sleeping bag for a few minutes to warm them up.

In between sleeps, air out your sleeping bag and tent. Both collect moisture from perspiration and breath, and this moisture will reduce the insulation properties. Also, airing out your sleeping bag will puff up the filling, keeping the valuable air space that insulates so well.

These are just some tips for you to remember. You can research additional information on cold weather safety from books, magazines, the Internet and retailers. Be informed.