Hypothermia is not “cool”
Pack a few extras, be prepared, and stay safe
A FEW years ago, a hiker got confused on woodland killer.” Hypothermia is a cascading
By GErry GODSOE
a hiking trail and became disoriented in the decline in core body temperature, and given the
Gatineau Hills, close to Ottawa on a pleasant limited temperature tolerance of the human body,
fall afternoon. He was middle age, not it’s obviously wiser to prevent hypothermia than
outstandingly fit and had limited navigational have to deal with it, especially in the wilderness.
skills. But with and no basic survival equipment Forget bears, wolves and moose. Hypothermia
in his pack (extra clothing, water or food; a is the single greatest danger we face in the
whistle and matches) he spent a miserable Canadian outdoors. It can kill at any time of
night in a cold rain that swept in after dark. the year. In fact, spring and fall can be more
During the night he lost his watch. dangerous than winter because of rapid weather
The next day dawned cold and clear changes and the natural tendency to leave the
but soon clouded over again. When found extra equipment at home, and skip heavy-duty
by search and rescue volunteers around preparation.
mid-morning, he was wet, cold, lethargic The old hiking expression, “grumbles, mumbles,
and confused. Without a watch, and with fumbles and stumbles” describes how things go
.
c
om
decreasing mental alertness, he was downhill as hypothermia takes hold. It’s easier to t
o
convinced that the cloudy morning was spot it in others than be aware of it – or admit it
P
ho
the beginning of another unpleasant and – in ourselves. If someone in your group suggests t
ock
-is
potentially dangerous night in the woods. you put on another layer of clothes or rain gear,
He was still able to walk to the waiting listen up.
ambulance. He probably would have It helps to know that the human body loses
x
y
minder
lasted another night but not much more. heat five ways: by “conduction” through direct
:
P
r
o
The hiker was suffering from contact; by radiation into your surroundings; by
hypothermia – some call it “the great convection as the air flows by; by breathing; and
t
o credit
Pho
tune up your
winter. Fuel that’s over a year or two everything is working properly, and no
old won’t burn clean, and may give a leaks are evident.
winter camping
weaker flame or even block fuel lines 3. Pump
– not good news when you’re huddled If you’re using a white gas stove,
stove
over a cranky stove with a snowstorm make sure the pump slides well without
approaching. It’s always a good idea to jamming or binding. Several drops of
By CrAIG MACArTNEy fill your fuel tank before leaving home, oil (no more) will do wonders. Now test
and bring extra fuel just in case. If using the pump to make sure that it holds
CAMPING stoves are crucial to winter a canister stove, buy several new canis- pressure.
camping. A well-tuned and maintained ters before your winter trip and save the
stove will guarantee you’ll be able to old ones for next summer. Warning! Be 4. Prepare for the Worst
prepare a hot meal when you need it very careful when handling fuel – spe- It’s a good idea to bring along any
most. Being stuck in the Gatineau hills cifically white gas. White gas becomes spare parts and a maintenance kit in
during a winter adventure without a dangerously incredibly cold in winter. If case you run into problems. Check the
stove is no joke, and possibly dangerous. you splash your hand with fuel, a cold manual for what tools
Stoves that use white gas (naphtha) burn may result almost instantaneously. are needed as well as
will burn hot and clean no matter what any unique
the temperature – not so with some 2. Cleaning and Testing parts.
canister fuels (e.g. propane, butane) that Clean and test your stove at home Taking
experience a significant performance before winter trips. It’s a lot easier to care of your
drop off as the temperature dips below discover a problem in the warm comfort stove ahead of
om
.
c
freezing. Here are four quick tips for of your home than in the early evening time can save t
o
making sure your camping stove is after the sun has settled behind the you a lot of P
ho
winter ready. Gatineau hills. Use strong dish detergent trouble on the t
ock
and an old rag to clean off any grime trail where the
1. Use Fresh Fuel that accumulated over the summer. unexpected
aree-is
J
m
: J
Many people don’t realize how risky Light the stove outside, and let it run always
using old fuel can be, especially in for a few minutes to make sure that happens.
t
o credit
Pho
10 OTTAWA magazine fall/winter 2009/2010 www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38