Tips to the Homeless for Winter Survival
By Brian Anders, on January 2nd, 2014
Brian Anders, a tireless D.C. activist and homeless advocate. His passing on August 28, 2013 was met with sadness and the determination to keep fighting.
Homeless advocate Brian Anders wrote these tips for winter survival in 2013 before succumbing to colon cancer. Thanks for the tips. We miss you terribly.
Staying warm outside during the day requires wearing clothing in layers, but not in so many layers that one cannot move freely, or you begin to sweat.
Using heavy sweaters, or sweat shirts made of cotton, or other natural materials will help your body retain heat.
Long under ware, along with hats and gloves and a scarf/s to cover exposed areas works well. You should also wear a coat/jacket at least one size larger than your regular size as it makes it easier to add more clothing if the temperature falls.
I recommend that other you limit the use of synthetic material as it sometimes over heats your skin and makes you sweat.
Clothing that is restrictive makes your body work harder than it has to keep you warm. You want to also wear warm gloves and socks in layers when the weather is windy or wet. Remember if you are out all day in wet socks that at the end of the day to remove them dry your feet/hands before changing garments.
Good footwear is also important. Water resistant boots, or rubber overshoes are good, Cloth shoes like sneakers are just going to make you uncomfortable.
Hygiene:
Hygiene is important to fight off illness. If possible shower and change your socks, undergarments daily. Use clean clothing and try and not sleep in the same clothing that you wear during the day. In a good sleeping bag you can remove your clothes and keep your self warm with blankets.
Sleeping in cold weather:
When setting up a tent it’s important to remember to keep your sleeping area clean and dry. If possible using a wooden pallet is a good start for a base to keep your body off of the ground.
Covering it with either cardboard of plastic is a good way to keep the space dry. You want to then cover the floor space with either foam, or if possible some heavy blankets. (The best option is the heavy quilts used by furniture movers to cover furniture. They are thick, but they also retain heat.)
Plastic is not a good cover for your sleeping bag or body. Plastic is a good insulator, but it doesn’t retain heat and it causes you to sweat. Use plastic to line the floor of the sleeping area, or the outside of the tent.
Make sure when setting up the sleeping area that you have enough space to stretch out to prevent cramping while you sleep. If using a two person tent make sure this is the case for both persons sleeping there.
Note: try to avoid eating and drinking at least two hours before you’re planned sleeping time. This will cut down on those annoying middle of the night bathroom breaks
A down filled sleeping bag that has is large enough to move around in is a good choice for the long winter sleep-out.
Along with long underwear this will keep you warm, and keep you comfortable. Do not sleep in your street clothing as the clothes you’ve worm during the day retain to same temperature as the weather outside. The idea is for you’re body to rest and not have to work twice as hard to keep you warm.
An air mattress is helpful, but they sometime leak and can become uncomfortable.
Using snow as an insulator:
In a heavy snowfall use the snow to cover the base of your tent. This will keep cold weather from blowing into the sleeping area and keep your space warmer.
Make sure when it begins to snow heavily use sheets of plastic to cover your outside areas of the tent to keep the snow from freezing on your shell which can cause leaks or tear your outer shell.
Make sure to not allow snow to build up on your shell, or grow to deep where you will be walking. As the temperature drops it can freeze into puddles of ice which can cause unnecessary problems when walking or moving things around.