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snowblindrpg2015-08-16 07:53 am
deus_ex_phs) wrote in snowblindrpg2015-08-16 07:53 am
[network] Day 26; @standardissue; Winter Survival Guide [open]
[Morning]
[Even with his dulled sense of hearing, the crashing thunder of the incoming storm was more than loud enough to jolt Kunsel awake. Too dark at first to see anything past the few inches of light his tablet provides-
-he should have been able to see so much more. What happened to his SOLDIER eyes?-
-he's had to wait, feeling increasingly restless, until what counts for dawn arrives. When it does, unfortunately, it's with the grim sight from the window of the bedroom he'd spent the night in. Where before he'd been able to see a small stretch of ground beyond the house, now he can't see anything but wind-driven snow pouring down. It's obvious there won't be any travel until it lets up.
Kunsel grimaces, then deliberately turns away from the window. There's no use dwelling on it now. He'll just have to look at it as an opportunity to rest, hopefully dispel some of the strange fatigue he's been feeling, and start working on something he's been meaning to get to. He'll have plenty of time for it now.
Once he's eaten, he bundles himself back up in bed with the satin bathrobe wrapped around him like a blanket, trying to ignore the feeling of being trapped that's already starting to settle in. Then he pulls his tablet out.]
[Network: text; @standardissue]
It occurs to me that not everyone here has knowledge about survival in winter conditions. I wish I had access to the more comprehensive material I was given back during my training, but even what I remember might be useful to some of you.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free to do so.
Some Tips for Winter Survival
Shelter: I cannot stress enough how important this is. Cold will kill you faster than starvation or dehydration if it's severe enough, and all evidence points to the fact that it gets lethally cold here at night. In fact, I'm going to recommend against even trying to build a snow shelter unless it's as a last resort. Those take time and energy, and chances are you'll still die, and it's unnecessary when there are plenty of buildings around. Keep track of the time, and if it's getting later in the day, start thinking about where you're going to spend the night.
Water: As a general rule of thumb, human survival comes in threes: Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food. Fortunately for us, air doesn't seem to be a problem. I'll get to food in a minute.
Our kidnappers have graciously supplied each of us with a week's worth of water to start, but what do you do when that water runs out? None of the buildings I have been in so far have had any running water, so this is obviously a concern for me. What we do have plenty of, however, is snow. Snow is frozen water. Unfortunately, frozen water is cold. Eating snow runs the risk of lowering your core body temperature, and takes more time to consume enough to satisfy your body's needs. What you need to do first is melt it.
Ideally, you would do this over a fire. Not only would this melt the snow, but if it's done in a container that you can bring to a boil, it will also disinfect the water.
That's right, snow is not necessarily clean. Try to harvest your snow from places where contamination is less likely. Fresh fallen snow on branches, for instance, or rooftops or standing objects. The ground is the worst place to get snow from. The ground is where people and animals walk. You really don't want to eat whatever they've stepped in if you can help it, trust me.
This is not an ideal world. I only wish I had a fire. A pot would be nice, too, while I'm at it. What I do have is an empty plastic potato chip bag, cleaned with some dish soap I found. I also have a plastic container, also cleaned, and the water bottles I've emptied so far. I filled every one of these with snow before I came in for the night, and I slept with the containers that could be sealed tucked in between a layer of my clothes. This is not the greatest or most comfortable method, and may be dangerous if you're already suffering hypothermia, but the heat of my body has melted that snow. (The snow in my chip bag has not melted, unfortunately. It looks like it's too cold for it to melt on its own, even when we're inside.)
If you do have a fire, but no pot to boil the water in, try collecting the snow into plastic bags, or some other container, that you can hang or set near the fire. Snow contains a lot less water than its volume makes you believe (roughly a ten to one ratio, though it depends on the kind of snow), so melting it in quantity is preferable over melting it cup by cup.
Should you come across a house with running water, definitely take the chance to restock all your water containers.
Disinfecting Water: Coming back to this, because this is important, there's more than one way to disinfect water. Not all of them (if any) might be available to you, but if you can, absolutely disinfect any water you collect from snow - or any suspect water, for that matter. If the water is cloudy or has bits of dirt or leaf debris, let it settle, then filter it through something. Cloth, paper towel, a coffee filter - whatever is available that is also clean.
Food: Again, we've been provided with about one week's worth of food to start, but eventually that will run out. As I mentioned earlier, you can go about three weeks without food, but that's assuming a minimal level of activity. The actual time may be less if you have to move a lot. Regardless, don't expect to be good for much once starvation starts to set in.
So. Be careful and ration your food. You can stretch it a little longer if you're willing to go hungry every so often, but the more you do that, the less energy you'll have. Take any food you find in the houses you come across, with the exception of anything that's spoiled. I doubt the former occupants are in any position to care about the theft, so don't feel guilty about it either.
I've seen no signs of wildlife or edible plants so far, so your only resources there might be whatever is inside the buildings. Others have mentioned food regularly found in the school and one of the convenience stores. Please refer to this for more information.
Warmth: Even with shelter, it is important to stay warm. Take whatever clothes and blankets you can find, especially if it's suitable for winter, but even a thin shirt is better than nothing. Make sure to cover your extremities - feet, hands, neck, and head. That's where you lose most of your body heat. Try not to have any open gaps in your clothes. If possible, tuck your shirt into your pants, tuck your pants into your shoes, and so forth. The less cold air can get into your clothes, the warmer you will stay.
Layer up. The more layers you have, the more you'll be insulated. If you get too warm, then you can easily remove some of those layers. I recommend switching out any that might have gotten soaked with snow or sweat. Keeping dry is important, because the cold will leech heat from your body that much faster if you are wet.
Frostbite: Pay attention to your skin, especially if any part of it starts to turn red or feel numb and tingly. Those are signs that that part of your body might be literally freezing. If this happens, it's best if you can submerge the affected part in water that is a few degrees above your body temperature. Lacking hot water, if you have a companion, you can press the area close to them for warmth, but don't rub. This could cause damage to frozen skin. If you're alone, then do what you can to use your own body for warmth and limit exposure, such as tucking your fingers under your arms.
Actual treatment beyond that, though, you'd have to ask someone else. I'm not a doctor.
Alcohol: Avoid drinking this if you find it, or drink it sparingly. It may make you feel warmer, but it is actually lowering your body temperature. Likewise, do not get drunk. If you get drunk and pass out in the snow, chances are you're not going to wake up.
That's all I have right now. If anyone knows more, or if something is inaccurate, please respond back to contribute.
Any questions?
[Even with his dulled sense of hearing, the crashing thunder of the incoming storm was more than loud enough to jolt Kunsel awake. Too dark at first to see anything past the few inches of light his tablet provides-
-he should have been able to see so much more. What happened to his SOLDIER eyes?-
-he's had to wait, feeling increasingly restless, until what counts for dawn arrives. When it does, unfortunately, it's with the grim sight from the window of the bedroom he'd spent the night in. Where before he'd been able to see a small stretch of ground beyond the house, now he can't see anything but wind-driven snow pouring down. It's obvious there won't be any travel until it lets up.
Kunsel grimaces, then deliberately turns away from the window. There's no use dwelling on it now. He'll just have to look at it as an opportunity to rest, hopefully dispel some of the strange fatigue he's been feeling, and start working on something he's been meaning to get to. He'll have plenty of time for it now.
Once he's eaten, he bundles himself back up in bed with the satin bathrobe wrapped around him like a blanket, trying to ignore the feeling of being trapped that's already starting to settle in. Then he pulls his tablet out.]
[Network: text; @standardissue]
It occurs to me that not everyone here has knowledge about survival in winter conditions. I wish I had access to the more comprehensive material I was given back during my training, but even what I remember might be useful to some of you.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free to do so.
Shelter: I cannot stress enough how important this is. Cold will kill you faster than starvation or dehydration if it's severe enough, and all evidence points to the fact that it gets lethally cold here at night. In fact, I'm going to recommend against even trying to build a snow shelter unless it's as a last resort. Those take time and energy, and chances are you'll still die, and it's unnecessary when there are plenty of buildings around. Keep track of the time, and if it's getting later in the day, start thinking about where you're going to spend the night.
Water: As a general rule of thumb, human survival comes in threes: Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food. Fortunately for us, air doesn't seem to be a problem. I'll get to food in a minute.
Our kidnappers have graciously supplied each of us with a week's worth of water to start, but what do you do when that water runs out? None of the buildings I have been in so far have had any running water, so this is obviously a concern for me. What we do have plenty of, however, is snow. Snow is frozen water. Unfortunately, frozen water is cold. Eating snow runs the risk of lowering your core body temperature, and takes more time to consume enough to satisfy your body's needs. What you need to do first is melt it.
Ideally, you would do this over a fire. Not only would this melt the snow, but if it's done in a container that you can bring to a boil, it will also disinfect the water.
That's right, snow is not necessarily clean. Try to harvest your snow from places where contamination is less likely. Fresh fallen snow on branches, for instance, or rooftops or standing objects. The ground is the worst place to get snow from. The ground is where people and animals walk. You really don't want to eat whatever they've stepped in if you can help it, trust me.
This is not an ideal world. I only wish I had a fire. A pot would be nice, too, while I'm at it. What I do have is an empty plastic potato chip bag, cleaned with some dish soap I found. I also have a plastic container, also cleaned, and the water bottles I've emptied so far. I filled every one of these with snow before I came in for the night, and I slept with the containers that could be sealed tucked in between a layer of my clothes. This is not the greatest or most comfortable method, and may be dangerous if you're already suffering hypothermia, but the heat of my body has melted that snow. (The snow in my chip bag has not melted, unfortunately. It looks like it's too cold for it to melt on its own, even when we're inside.)
If you do have a fire, but no pot to boil the water in, try collecting the snow into plastic bags, or some other container, that you can hang or set near the fire. Snow contains a lot less water than its volume makes you believe (roughly a ten to one ratio, though it depends on the kind of snow), so melting it in quantity is preferable over melting it cup by cup.
Should you come across a house with running water, definitely take the chance to restock all your water containers.
Disinfecting Water: Coming back to this, because this is important, there's more than one way to disinfect water. Not all of them (if any) might be available to you, but if you can, absolutely disinfect any water you collect from snow - or any suspect water, for that matter. If the water is cloudy or has bits of dirt or leaf debris, let it settle, then filter it through something. Cloth, paper towel, a coffee filter - whatever is available that is also clean.
-Boiling: Boil it for at least one minute. This is the most foolproof method.
-Bleach: Two drops of bleach per liter of water. Double this if the water is cloudy. Stir it and let it stand for thirty minutes.
-Chemical tablets: Presumably, if you have some of these on hand, you should hopefully have instructions on how to use them, too. Those instructions might vary depending on who made the tablet, so I can't give specific instructions here, but just know that such things exist.
-Portable filters: These also exist, but I suspect will also be difficult to find.
Food: Again, we've been provided with about one week's worth of food to start, but eventually that will run out. As I mentioned earlier, you can go about three weeks without food, but that's assuming a minimal level of activity. The actual time may be less if you have to move a lot. Regardless, don't expect to be good for much once starvation starts to set in.
So. Be careful and ration your food. You can stretch it a little longer if you're willing to go hungry every so often, but the more you do that, the less energy you'll have. Take any food you find in the houses you come across, with the exception of anything that's spoiled. I doubt the former occupants are in any position to care about the theft, so don't feel guilty about it either.
I've seen no signs of wildlife or edible plants so far, so your only resources there might be whatever is inside the buildings. Others have mentioned food regularly found in the school and one of the convenience stores. Please refer to this for more information.
Warmth: Even with shelter, it is important to stay warm. Take whatever clothes and blankets you can find, especially if it's suitable for winter, but even a thin shirt is better than nothing. Make sure to cover your extremities - feet, hands, neck, and head. That's where you lose most of your body heat. Try not to have any open gaps in your clothes. If possible, tuck your shirt into your pants, tuck your pants into your shoes, and so forth. The less cold air can get into your clothes, the warmer you will stay.
Layer up. The more layers you have, the more you'll be insulated. If you get too warm, then you can easily remove some of those layers. I recommend switching out any that might have gotten soaked with snow or sweat. Keeping dry is important, because the cold will leech heat from your body that much faster if you are wet.
Frostbite: Pay attention to your skin, especially if any part of it starts to turn red or feel numb and tingly. Those are signs that that part of your body might be literally freezing. If this happens, it's best if you can submerge the affected part in water that is a few degrees above your body temperature. Lacking hot water, if you have a companion, you can press the area close to them for warmth, but don't rub. This could cause damage to frozen skin. If you're alone, then do what you can to use your own body for warmth and limit exposure, such as tucking your fingers under your arms.
Actual treatment beyond that, though, you'd have to ask someone else. I'm not a doctor.
Alcohol: Avoid drinking this if you find it, or drink it sparingly. It may make you feel warmer, but it is actually lowering your body temperature. Likewise, do not get drunk. If you get drunk and pass out in the snow, chances are you're not going to wake up.
That's all I have right now. If anyone knows more, or if something is inaccurate, please respond back to contribute.
Any questions?
no subject
no subject
I've had to use maps fairly regularly, so I can usually puzzle even bad ones out. You need any help reading them?
no subject
no subject
no subject
Or are you going to say it's dangerous again?
no subject
[He pauses, considering their conversations so far.]
Would you listen to me if I did?
no subject
I'm not in any more danger than anyone else. [ just slightly crazy. ]
no subject
[After that comment about everyone being cartographers, he's not certain if she's daunted by the idea.]
Maybe not more danger, but you did try to leave without even a coat or supplies. [He lets his voice fill with a hint of teasing there.] I think that justifies a little concern.
no subject
Ah, and I lost both a while back. [ w h o o p s. ] I wanted to give them away, though.
no subject
[Really, he can't find fault with that reasoning.]
What if you released the maps after you left the area?
[He pauses, caught off guard.]
You lost them? You've replaced them with something else, though, right?
[Because food and warmth are KIND OF IMPORTANT.]
no subject
no subject
[If Kunsel sounds equally puzzled, too, it's because, well, what else would she think he meant?]