Frostbite Prevention

Keep moving. Don't wait until you start shivering in coldly hostile country (shivering is normal). Move! and keep moving as much as surroundings allow. Stamp. Jump. Slap arms across chest. Blow on hands. Stuff hands under clothing (inside pants or under armpits). Wriggle toes. Arch feet. Bend ankles. Make faces. Pummel (pound, beat). Cup hands on face. Button up clothing. Shout. Loosen tight clothing. Pull ears, nose, lips. Clench fists. Bend and unbend fingers and toes. Exercise shoulders and buttock muscles when cramped. Hold toes up for a minute or two when cramped - say on a raft. Huddle together.

Beware of wind and/or rain--they greatly increase chill risk. A fall into snow-rimmed water can mean exposure. Roll over and over in snow. Jump up and bang off snow. Roll in it again. Repeat until warm all over and snow has mopped out moisture. Don't spill gasoline on bare skin. Don't touch bare metal in freezing cold. Don't shove snow clad gloves into pockets. Do sit on something other than snow. Don't chafe or rub sore skin. Once you are warm keep moving by working. Keep working until warm and sheltered. And then keep aware.

Graphic from The Book of Survival by Anthony Greenbank, pp 99-100.

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