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Hot drinks are fine only for temporary warming. To prevent freezing of hands and feet, warm bloodmust get to them. Tight shoes and mitts restrict circulation, and tend to induce freezing. Boots must be reasonably tight while one is skiing, but should be loosened immediately upon arrival at camp, or before any prolongedrest. Fatigue decreases the amount of heat produced bythe body and should be carefully avoided. It is better tocamp or bivouac before becoming excessively tired. Conserving body heat.—Much more can be done in conserving heat than in producing it. In the first place, the body itself possesses certain mechanisms for this purpose. We are all familiar with perspiration and evaporation as a means of cooling. We are not so familiar, however, with the fact that the skin automatically shuts off surface blood circulation when exposed to cold, and that this action decreases the heat loss from the skin to one-fourth of normal. This reaction alone goes a long way toward enabling a skier to keep warm. Alcoholic drinks |
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