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Preparing for cold weather comes with its own set of challenges. It means getting ready for health concerns such as frostbite, hypothermia, sanitation, and warmth.

If you live someplace cold, winter weather is reality, and so is the need to understand winter medicine concerns. People should embrace winter, prepare for it and take it seriously.

When embracing it, learn how to adapt to winter, and you'll be better set for success.

"Winter medical is all about being prepared. If you're ready for a situation and you both mentally and physically prepare for it, it's really not as bad as what you're perceiving it to be." ~Travis Hall, U.S. Army Green Beret.

Preparing for Cold Weather When Working Outside

Plan your activities in advance and understand your body's needs for food, water, and being sheltered from the elements. Once your needs are understood, take appropriate actions.

While you may be cold initially, as your activity increases, you will warm up. So dress appropriately in layers. Stop throughout the day and adjust your clothing and equipment as needed to your situation. Try to avoid wearing more layers than necessary. Physical activity will warm you up and can make you sweat. Dress up or down appropriately.

Water

You lose just as much moisture from your body in the winter as you do in the summer. It's easy in winter to neglect your water intake. Drink water! 

How Does Cold Affect Your Metabolism?

Shivering increases metabolism and causes high-calorie burns. This creates a drop in weight. Being cold increases your daily energy (food) needs, so expect to be hungrier. Bring more food than you think you'll need.

Don't Forget to Change Your Socks

Changing your socks is essential. Fresh socks help keep your feet clean, dry, and trench foot free.

Take the time and plan on changing your socks when possible. When changing your socks, when appropriate, let your foot air dry before putting the new sock on. This will help kill any bacteria and will work towards keeping your feet healthy.

Don't forget to wash your socks. Clean socks are good socks. Clean socks can help you feel better and more motivated when you're in a strenuous and challenging situation.

Preparing for Cold Weather: Your Vehicle

Keep a cold-weather kit in your car.

Poncho liner or another type of blanket

Gloves and hand warmers

Extra clean, dry socks

Long underwear

Leather gloves for working

Plan for the possibility of cold even if it doesn't seem like it may get cold. As soon as winter is coming near, you need to switch to your winter vehicle kit.

Being prepared with proper clothing is very important. Keeping your head and feet warm can do wonders for your morale.

Being Stranded in the Winter

Preparing for cold weather should take into account the worst-case scenario of being stranded out there for a period of time.

Sleep

Getting good, warm sleep when it is cold is vital to help your body heal from any injuries you may have incurred. Healing is especially essential when you're cold.

Tips for Keeping Warm at Night Without a Fire

If possible, learn how to have a low-light fire.

Candles will heat up a small space.

Body heat from another person and "snuggling" under combined blankets really helps.

Insulating yourself and your shelter with leaves or other material works well.

Keep yourself off the ground to avoid heat loss through convection into the ground.

If you're in a long-term situation, find, or make a permanent shelter. The goal is to not only survive but to thrive.

Preparing for Cold Weather Hygiene

You may be wondering how you can stay clean when it's so cold outside. It's important to focus on personal hygiene in the winter because the cold decreases the motivati...

Nearly everyone experiences winter to some level. Even those who live in warm climates typically have a few months where it's cooler than normal. So, no matter where you live, winter preparedness based on your location's conditions is essential.

Winter storms are very all-encompassing.  The storms are all-encompassing because they produce a variety of hazards such as snow, sleet, hail, and frigid temperatures. These can cause difficult driving conditions, power outages, and outdoor survival challenges.

What is a Good Source of Weather-Related Information?

Weather.gov, produced by the National Weather Service, is focused on forecasting, alerting, and warning. Weather.com is a part of The Weather Channel, an entertainment company.

Local forecasts can often be even more useful than national-level forecasts. Local television and emergency management services often have subscription text message alert systems available.

Always use a variety of means to obtain your weather updates. If you use Google, you can also subscribe to alerts that will come to your phone about weather specific to your location. There are a variety of smartphone apps available. Make sure to test the various apps and see what works best for you.

And, of course, your NOAA weather radio covers most of the country during disasters and emergency events.

Winter Preparedness Includes Getting Ready for Winter Storms

Winter has its own set of potential hazards that can affect you whether you're at home, at work, or in your vehicle traveling.

Heavy snow

Sleet

Freezing rain

Low temperatures

High winds

The best way to prepare for a winter storm is to “know before you go.” In other words, keep track of the weather and plan accordingly.

What to Keep in Your Winter Preparedness Vehicle Kit

If you live in a winter storm area, consider keeping a snow kit in your vehicle.  The snow kit should include:

Full body snowsuit

Insulated winter boots

Knit hat

Thick gloves

Snowbrush

Metal shovel

High energy food

Extra socks

Blankets or, better yet, winter sleeping bags for each person who might be riding with you

Method to melt snow (ex. Jet Boil stove)

Artificial heat source (ex. ThermaCare Heat Wraps)

Battery-powered portable NOAA radio

Portable C.B. radio

Cathleen wrote in the comments below that she also carries:

Besides the things you listed, which are great, I always carry candles, matches, peanut butter, and water. Cat litter and chains are excellent for getting unstuck.

If you often travel with children, keep some activities on hand for them if you get stranded.

Speaking of getting stranded, it's always a good idea to always let someone know where you're headed and the route you plan to take. That way, if you don't show up when you're expected, they know where to start looking for you.

How Do Winter Weather Advisories Work?

The National Weather Service issues weather advisories through a tiered structure.

The tiered structure starts with the National Weather Centers.

National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, deals with hurricanes.

Storm Prediction Center focuses on severe and fire-related weather.

Aviation Weather Center is primarily concerned with flying and aviation forecasting.

There are 122 local National Weather Services offices scattered around the United States and its territories.

The local offices issue four levels of weather updates for potentially hazardous weather.

Outlook – Issued up to seven days in advance of possible hazardous weather in your area.

Watch – Issued within 48-hours of weather impacting event and indicates conditions are favorable for the development of severe hazards.

Why is having an air travel preparedness mindset important? When traveling by air, you never know where you’ll end up because of unexpected diversions, etc. Every flight has the potential to strand you somewhere you don’t intend to be.

Just because you bought a ticket to Mexico, doesn’t mean you’re going to end up in Mexico. ~Steve Bird

Travel Preparedness: What Should You Do to Get Ready for a Flight?

Research the areas you’re going to, connecting through, or where you may layover. Check the weather and pack accordingly.

Do you know anyone in the area who you can call if there is an emergency?

Are there any major events planned or problems expected that you should avoid? For example, is there a protest going on or a big sporting event that you may want to avoid? Set up Google keyword alerts for your destination.

Are there any local laws that impact you? Perhaps you're traveling with a firearm or something else that was legal where you took off from but may not be legal where you land.

Here’s an example of what could go wrong when you’re diverted somewhere you didn’t plan on going.  Continental Airlines Passenger Arrested in New Jersey.   This is a PDF copy of the court appeal in the case.

What Can You Bring on the Plane in Checked Bags and Carry-Ons?

First and most importantly, if you are unsure of what you can pack and carry on, make sure you check the TSA website before you travel.

Make sure you check the TSA website as the rules may change. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you are concerned with having safety, security, and preparedness items on your trip, put them in your bags. Then, when you arrive at your destination, turn your bag into a bug out bag.

Make sure you have a small carry-on bag that will fit under the seat in front of you. That way, if you have to check your bag, you will be able to keep your most essential items with you. Here's a breakdown of how I pack when I travel by air so that I have the preps and equipment I might need.

How Can You Safely and Legally Travel with Firearms?

First, make sure you check the TSA and individual airline websites. Also, don’t forget to check the local laws of where you are going and any places you’re passing through.

Schedule enough time before your flight to go through the required security checks for traveling with a firearm.

Also, don’t forget the timing of your layover. TSA may want to inspect your firearm during the layover. Therefore, if you have a short layover, your gun may not make it onto the plane. Give yourself plenty of time, so you don’t have problems.

Transport your firearm in a TSA-approved case. Your ammunition should be in factory boxes. If your case has a place for two locks, put two locks on it.

Print out the TSA firearms policy so you can point out any incorrect directions a TSA officer may give you. Remember, everyone may not understand the rules as well as you. So be patient, and work through it.

Travel Preparedness: Personal Protection

What can be done to make sure you have access to personal protection items when traveling?

When on the plane, there are some things you can use for personal protection items. As always, whenever possible, avoid physical conflict. However, if it is entirely unavoidable, use whatever you can to gain an advantage.

After all, if a physical conflict is unavoidable, you need to do everything you can not to be injured and come out on top. Some items that you should be able to carry, which could help give you an advantage are:

Stainless Steel Sharpie and pens.

Flashlight

Hard-sided carry-on luggage

Air Planes Coffee Pots, Fire Extinguisher, etc.

Use your imagination. A lot of things can become improvised weapons. As well, there are quite a few TSA-approved items you can bring on a plane.

Why is a prepping mindset important for regional travel? When it comes to regional travel, you never know where you’re going to be when bad things happen. A survival situation can strike anywhere, at any time.   How Do You Pack for Regional Trips? Carry supplies and gear based on your specific situation. You’re much…