NJ SITREP

I have previously written an article on this last year, which helps to get players ready and prepared for the cold in the best ways possible. These methods also use thinner materials that work more efficiently than what we were taught growing up, and over the next week I will be posting a multi-part series that goes into further detail to help others understand how to properly prepare and dress to stay warm and comfortable.

Looking back at the last few years one of the things that I have noticed is that during the colder months, people tend to “cheat” a lot more than usual. This is of course not the reality of the situation, but rather the misconception that many have and the ignorance to the obvious; most people wear more layers to stay warm since they are outside all day in the cold.

The Winter is upon us, and with it comes the cold. While everyone knows the importance of staying warm and comfortable, many people do not know how to properly equip themselves to fight the weather. Of course there are many ways to do this, but for the operator it is especially important to know what works best for the mission at hand. There are many commonly held traditions and beliefs as to what one should wear, where one should go, and what is best to do if the weather becomes the enemy. Whereas some of these still hold true to the test of time, others are being realized to be more of a detriment than an advantage. Today we look into the various tools used to stay warm, and what to avoid.

Regardless of your activity, sustained exposure to the elements can kill you in cold weather. Whether you a snowboarding, hiking, running, camping, biking, or on a mission you need to protect yourself. This does not mean you need to wear so many layers that it is difficult to move. There is no need to go out into the elements looking like Randy from A Christmas Story. Still, after years of advancements in clothing and cold weather gear, we still see many people wearing two or three sets of cotton sweat pants and long johns underneath their regular clothes.

Understanding How to Properly Hydrate

When going out into the cold for extended periods of time, this can do the exact opposite of what is intended. It is important to understand how the body works as well as the properties of the fabrics used when taking any prolonged activity into consideration. Each should work together in order to help maintain warmth and comfort, as well as mobility.

The first thing many people fail to realize is that even though it is cold, you can still become dehydrated or suffer from heat stroke. How is this possible? Heat stroke is caused by the compound effect when your body temperature has increased above normal and then goes into shock due to dehydration. When people wear layers, it’s for a good reason. But overheating (hyperthermia) your body is just as dangerous as hypothermia. When wearing clothing and gear that prevents your sweat from evaporating, your body begins to work harder in an effort to cool it.

In order for your body to cool itself down, it sweats. The act of sweating alone does not cool the body, since your sweat just came from the very source that is too warm as it is. What needs to happen is for the sweat to evaporate quickly from the skin. The act of evaporation takes with it a small amount of heat, effectively cooling your body in the process. This is a key concept to understand as we talk about the different fabrics and their properties.

The next concept to understand is one that everyone should already know very well; you need to keep hydrated in order to perform to the best of your ability, both mentally and physically. Hydration is key for the function of all systems in the body, especially critical thinking and physical exertion. Contrary to popular belief though, drinking a lot of water does not hydrate you, and if you drink to much of it you can actually cause dehydration (sort of.)

Hydration is not just about getting water into your body, you also need to get electrolytes into your body. Electrolytes are essential in keeping your body healthy and hydrated, and are often overlooked. For your body to function, it uses these electrolytes as “workers” so to speak, and they communicate with the rest of the body through chemical reactions, or signals. When electrolytes are out of balance or depleted, you begin to have issues with muscle and brain function. Often times the imbalance of electrolytes is the main cause of charlie horses, where you muscles lock up for a few seconds.

This does not mean go out and guzzle down a bunch of sports drinks that advertise to replenish electrolytes however, as they often don’t contain enough electrolytes to properly supply you with what you need. Moreover, they are designed to replenish electrolytes in the short run, to help keep you moving. Instead, you should eat several full meals and drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the mission or activity at hand. This is important for a number of reasons, the most crucial of which is delivery and absorption of nutrients and electrolytes. If you consume too much of anyone substance during a given amount of time, your body will become overwhelmed and be forced to flush it out since it has no room or ability to store it for later use. Do it too soon and your body won’t be able to use what you are giving it. Your body needs time to sort things out, store them, and get ready to use them when the time comes.

[DR]