Dressing to Survive: Why Sweat Is Dangerous in Winter

TWO DIE IN THE HUNT FOR BIG FOOT

Two men in Washington state went in search of big foot.

I was told of this situation because they got lost and the SAR people called me since the terrain was difficult where they were looking and the needed my waders.

The result was two men who died of exposure.

The more I thought about the situation the more I realized along with other items these two man and the many more big foot hunters need the best clothing they can get so when they are out there, they will be as comfortable, warm as is possible.

I know they improperly dress primarily wearing moisture absorbing and therefore retaining moisture.

I sent a copy of my dressing for hunting to the SAR guy who called me about the waders. He did order I think 2 pairs.

From what he described the terrain to be, these SAR guys in the field are also subject to a lot of uncomfortable time because I know they too are wearing moisture absorbing clothing. I know they go out in weather extremes looking for people in the winter months.

I eminence at this moment what it felt like when I was lost and saw the sun setting in the west, knowing this is where I was going to be that night. I was well prepared for the weather.

The difference between and these men is that I was prepared from the clothing situation, they were not.

It is wintertime now and the weather is very unforgiving, and I know some will venture out improperly dressed, wearing clothing that has no chance of keeping them warm in the current conditions.

It is not only the adventurers who can be improperly dressed, but at times also the SAR people who look for those who get lost.

I have been in the outerwear or cold weather clothing business for 60 years and I have in that time seen every type of garment with every type of insulation or story. Things repeat and that is what we see today. The early years saw chopped staple fiberfill and it failed so in the 60’s the outerwear companies moved into down which was better but the cost over time hurt sales.

Chopped staple fiberfill later made a comeback under new names. Then of course, we had fabrics like polar fleece that were said to move moisture away from your body. These companies learned that moisture from the body was not good, so it had to be gotten rid of.

The down became so expensive they started using less and less and quilting it in one square in pattern. Some companies have done the same thing with fiberfill.

Getting back to those who get lost and those who go out looking for them they both have the same problem retention of sweat, which has the cooling effect. We are selling lots of fish net underwear, so how many of these adventurers and SAR workers are wearing them? If they were their survival possibility would be better and certainly the SAR guys would be better off.

There is an adage the old timers used, “cotton kills”. They never further explained why, which is because it absorbed your body moisture which caused a chill etc. In today’s world the one going out on cold days may not be wearing a cotton garment next to their skin but a polyester garment that can keep the sweat next to you.

If you are thinking about going outdoors in the winter think that your first layer of clothing is Wiggy’s nylon fishnets.