How to warm up in the woods?

An unsuccessful crossing of a river, a prolonged expedition, a change in weather conditions - all of this may result in a body cooling down. Before you become hypothermic, find a source of heat and isolate yourself from the cold surroundings as much as possible. The worst thing you can do is just sit down in wet clothes and stop moving because thermal energy is transferred from the limbs. In today's article, we will tell you how to protect yourself, give yourself energy and make it easier to light a bonfire in the wild.

Thermal blanket - use of NRC foil

Not only in winter there is a risk of cooling down the body - also in spring or autumn it is worth equipping yourself with accessories that will help you warm up quickly. A good example is silver thermal blankets. The shell adhering to the body reflects the heat generated by the body, preventing the energy from escaping to the outside.

The NRC foil - that's what the silver sheet is called - is light and compact, which helps to have it always with you. If you need a year-round emergency blanket, it is best to equip yourself with a double-sided universal coating, which will be used in summer to reflect the threatening sun rays, so much desired in winter.

Heaters and accessories for lighting a fire

Heat will also be provided by disposable accessories in the form of warmers for various parts of the body: neck, feet or belt. Chemical, coal or gasoline heaters can also be put in your pocket, which will ensure the thermal comfort of your hand. Traditionally, a fire will also be useful, thanks to which you can not only warm up, but also prepare a hot meal or get rid of harmful microorganisms from the water. It is a good idea to pack handy accessories to make a fire in your backpack - not only lighters, but also gasoline or magnesium flint. Pocket rods or plates will allow you to strike sparks regardless of rain or soaked equipment.

Boiling water and heating the meal without a fire

Sometimes it is not possible to light even a small, smoking fire. There may also be no time to look for dry kindling. Fortunately, a field stove with odorless inserts is available - the tablets are placed on a baking tray on which you can place a pot of water or food stably. Another solution is to reheat the meal without any fire. The modern version of freeze-dried food rations have heating bags that you just need to fill with water to make your meal warm and ready to eat.

Hot survival dishes will provide both heat and calories, which should not be spared during cold days in the wilderness. The body must have energy to warm up during a hike or to perform the necessary bushcraft activities. It's best to give up heavy cans and choose vacuum-dried meals in plastic bags - even a few dishes packed in one compact package weigh little, and the empty packaging can be easily stored in a backpack.

Author: Tomasz Świgoń