What to do when you find yourself with insufficient clothing?

P

Plainsman

Joined
Apr 5, 1999
Messages
1,163
Yep, I'm having a boring New Year's Eve!
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What would you suggest a person do if they find themself out in a survival situation with insufficient clothing for the weather?

Let's look at it from two angles at once:
1) Immediate needs. The next 12 hours.
2) Long term needs. Beyond 12 hours up to days or even a week or more.

What suggestions would you have?

For #1 I would think, fire, shelter and adding insulation if applicable. Definitely get anything wet dried. Basically get something between me and the environment.

For #2, I would look at improvising with whatever is at hand. Making clothing from bark, any cloth material I find, a plastic outer layer for water expulsion, green tanning any hides I can procure.

Comments!
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If you have a couple of wool blankets you can make some warm clothing from them. Especially since wool keeps you warm, even when wet.
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Billions of sheep can't be wrong!!!
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Big-Target>>>>>>SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM
 
one book i was reading suggested stuffing your clothing with grasses and stuff, i think pounding them first to make them a little softer.

sounds pretty schritchy, but it might keep you a little bit warmer.

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AKTI member #A000911

 
Stuffing cardboard, newspapers, cloth and cushions from car/plane/train seats under your clothing would help. Also, doing some aerobic excercises would keep the blood flowing.

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An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.
 
I think another important consideration would be WHERE you choose to stay while you are out. I have read about a phenomenon called microclimes, which are pockets of air that can be several degrees warmer or colder than the surrounding area, based on geographical charictaristics of the immediate area you are in, such as valleys, water, and the way the sun comes in contact with the land. I can't recall any specific rules or details about this though, maybe another member can elucidate.
 
Sesoku,
Microclimes... They make for fun weather here in Fairbanks. The biggest factor, is that in hilly and moutainous terran, cold air tends to fall down into the valleys and stream beds. You don't wanna set up camp there anyways 'cause of flood problems, but they'd be colder. Here in Fairbanks, the temp difference between the bottom of a hill, and the top can be 20 or 30 degrees. I think this is an extreme example, but it happens around here. OTOH, the top of a hill is not a good place for wind avoidance, so you'd need to find some middle ground.

Also, in places where the sun is a factor (Unlike here and now) find south facing rocks (As long as you live in the northern hemisphere) and they will frequently still be warm from the days sun. A dry, shallow cave, facing south, would be a prime place to set a fire, and bask in it's glow.

Stryver, who's shltered under more than his fair share of rocks...
 
Sesoku,

I think Stryver is right about the advantage of the Southern slopes and the disadvantage of cold pockets of deep valleys. Also, look for the vegetation if you know the local fauna. Certain plants, trees, brushes and their growth are good indicators of the warmer microclime. Also the patches of melted snow naturally. Growth, shape and size of trees can indicate (compared to others in the area) wind/stronger wind and its direction.

Plainsman,

Since you mentioned animal hides, I would add a possibly quick way of using them. When you skin the 'beast', remove skin in big pieces by pulling it off (from legs, neck and body) to get a tube instead of a sheet. Scrape it a bit and pull it onto (fur inside) your head, body, legs and arms when it is still warm. One might look funky but could use hide quickly and 'molded' into you shape. You can add more 'couture' later on.

Best,

HM
 
Cover your head. Your brains need warmth and your head tends to be hanging out in the cold. You might be better off with your Jockey shorts on your head than in your pants. You might even use a day pack or paper bag as a head cover. Stuff your clothes with dry insulation. Newspaper is the classic vagrant's insulator, toilet paper would be good--large leaves or grasses might save your life.

When the sun shines find a sunny spot with good wind shelter (remember that even a faint breeze really boosts the wind-chill). You can make your own wind break by breaking off tree branches. Huddling under branches in the shady woods is not as good as sandwiched between branches in your sunny spot. When the sun is not shining you want to cover yourself with branches, etc to prevent your body heat from radiating out into space.

If you only have your body heat for warmth try and make yourself a very small, very well insulated shelter. Whenever possible carry a plastic drop cloth in your day pack. It can really save your life. Of course you should ALWAYS carry a cigarette lighter and a pocket knife.
 
ryk,
That book may have been one of Tom Brown's books. He talks about tucking your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants and stuffing them with whatever type of natural insulation you can find. He knows a hell of a lot more than I do but it sure sounds itchy.
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Jim
 
Hunter3897> i cant remember the name of the author, or the title of the book, and i cant find it right now(if i do a thourough search, it should turn up...) anyways, i bought it in a used book store for 1.98 or soemthing, and wasnt expecting much, but im pretty happy with it, it has a lot of primitive skills type stuff, and is easy to read.

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AKTI member #A000911

 
ryk,
Now I'm almost positive it was a Tom Brown book. He specializes in primitive survival skills. Surviving without anything but the worthless cotton shirt on your back.

Jim
 
HUNTER3897,
i found the book last night, shortly after i logged off
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anyways, its title is "the Outdoor Survival Handbook" and its written by Raymond Mears

i havent read anything by Tom Brown(yet) but i probabally will at some point.

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AKTI member #A000911

 
Physcial activity will help keep you warm. This is short term prospect. If help or reescue is more than a day or so away it may be better to save those calories. Famous story of george washington and companion who fell through the ice near the origin of the OHIO river. They could not start a fire,everything wet.They wrestled all night to keep warm and when daylight came they were able to proceed.This happened when he was a young man.
 
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