Winter Preparedness CERT

Winter PreparednessCERT

Class Premise

Worst case scenario: having to spend a night in wilderness situation

What should you have in your packs to prepare for this situation?Pack Supplies

Simple, light, essential items

Ask yourself the What if questionsCover these areasShelter

Fire

Water

Food

Pack SuppliesMatches, lighter, metal matchClear plastic sheetingContractor trash bagsGallon ziplock bagsLightweight cooking potCordageKnifeSpace blanketWater purificationDuct tape

Try to think of items which either have MULTIPLE uses or are NECESSARYFireAlways have more than one way to start a fire

Never rely on just one method

Your life may depend on it!!Pack Supplies: LighterInexpensive

Widely available

Easy to carry

Downside: needs some fine motor movement

Pack Supplies: Waterproof MatchesWaterproof matches

Waterproof container

Pack Supplies: (Metal match)

Pack Supplies: (Tinder)

Cotton / VaselineCan coat cotton balls with vaseline

Untreated will burn about 30 seconds

Treated can burn for 3-5 minutes

ShelterProtection from:WindRainSnowAble to have a fire for warmth

Pack Item

Clear plastic sheeting10 to 20 feet in your packHardware, Walmart, etc

Uses:Ground clothShelter buildingRain / snow poncho

Some uses of clear plastic

Pack ItemContractor Trash BagsHome Depot, Lowes, etc4 or 5 in your pack

Uses:Ground clothShelter buildingRain / snow poncho

Trash bags

Pack Item: Space Blanket

Space Blanket

Blanket Types

Pack Item: Cook Pot

Large enough to boil several cups of water

Small enough and light enough to carry in a packPack Item: Cook PotDehydration can occur quickly in cold weather

Can purify water

Calories for warmth!SoupHot chocolateEtc.

Two birds, one stone?Stainless 1 liter water bottle

Get the wide mouth

Unscrew lid before boiling

Survival Cook PotTin foil can be easily shaped into a bowl

Take a large sheet, fold it many times into a small space

Not durable

Pack Item: Water Purification

A few different types

Usually a tablet or liquid drops

Small, fits easily into a packPack Item: Gallon Ziplocks

Keep tinder (or other supplies) dry

Can be used to hold water

3 or 4 in your pack

Pack Item: Gallon ZiplocksWater purification

Can have 2 or 3 gallons of water ready to drink

Difficult to carry

Pack Supplies: CordageParachute cord best

Comprised of several threads

50 to 75 feet

Pack Supplies: A good knifeA knife that can chop if needed

Full-tang fixed blade is best

A sturdy lock-blade good too

Pack Supplies: MiscellaneousDry soup mix or dry rice mix

Hot chocolate packets

Peanut M&Ms or Snickers

WhistleRed / Orange surveyors tape

Small flashlight / Headlamp

Tin Foil (folded)Cold Weather ClothingCotton: Worst

Loves moisture!

Loses 90% of insulating value when wet and wicks heat 25 times faster than when dry

Cold Weather ClothingPolypropylene

Good base layer

Wicks moisture from the skin to outer layers of clothing

Cold Weather ClothingGoose down

Light, great insulation when dry

Sucks up moisture worse than cotton

Loses all insulating value when wet

Cold Weather ClothingWool: my favoriteWill wick moisture, but slowlyMaintains its insulation value even when wet

Downside: can be heavy

Cold Weather ClothingPolyester: Not just for the 70s anymore

Resists water

Retains a lot of insulating value even when wet

Lighter and more compact than wool

The Layering SystemBase Layers:Designed to trap warmth against the bodyRemove moisture to outer layersPolypropylene goodInsulating Layers:

Can be added or removed to control sweating

The Layering SystemEnvironmental Layer

Windbreaker

Waterproof layer or water-resistant layer

Fairly loose and easy to vent out moistureMultiple thin layers is much better than one thick one

Can be adjusted to prevent sweating

Lost? Making the DecisionWhen youre lost, smoke your pipe

Sit down, relax

Think

Observe / OptionsPlan

Act

Walk Out?

Stay Put?