Staying warm, dry, safe

December 29, 2009

Posted in Destinations, Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel No Comments »
Tags: absorb moisture, cold air, cold weather. cold weather clothing, cold-induced coughs, cold-related problems, cold-water immersion, cotton, diaper, freezing point, garments, gloves, headwear, inner layer, insulation, kids, layers, loose-fitting, middle layer, mittens, moisture, muscular activity, outdoor activities, perspiration, polyester fabric, rain, rapid cooling, scarf, scarves, serious cold-related problems, skin, snow, snow suit, sweating, synthetic fibers, waterproof, waterproof mittens, wet clothing, wick, wind chill, wind chill factor, windchill, windchill factor, young children

clothing1 Choosing the most effective cold weather clothing for your kids is becoming more of a hassle – ironically, because such clothing is becoming more protective. Some garments, if not used correctly, are counterproductive, actually increasing a child’s risk of experiencing cold-related problems.

Here is what you should know:

1. Sophisticated clothing increases perspiration. Modern garments are extremely efficient in keeping cold out and locking body heat in. The skin under many layers remains relatively warm even when air temperature is quite cold. Many outdoor activities are strenuous and result in sweating, wetting the clothing layers next to the skin.

2. Wet clothing loses most of its insulating ability. It doesn’t matter whether wetness come from rain or snow or from perspiration. Wet clothing accelerates heat loss five-fold. (Cold-water immersion – such as falling into a stream – increases heat loss twenty-fold.) Being wet can cause serious cold-related problems at temperatures even well above the freezing point.

3. The younger the child, the greater the risk of cold-related problems. Young children have less fat tissue under their skin and have a larger surface area per weight than do adults, resulting in more rapid cooling. And young children’s ability to produce heat by muscular activity is less efficient. Very young children are unable to verbalize that they are cold.

4. Dress children in layers, with each layer having a specific purpose. The inner layer should move (“wick”) moisture away from the skin. Polyester fabrics do this without absorbing the moisture.) This keeps the skin dry and comfortable. (Modern diapers work on this principle.) When buying cold weather clothing for infants consider the ease of dressing and undressing the infant for diaper changes.

5. The middle layer provides insulation. Here multiple, loose-fitting, thin garments are better than one thick one; relatively warm layers of air are trapped between the garments. The middle layer is where to add or remove clothing, based on changes in air temperature, the child’s activity levels, and perspiration. Woolen fabrics provide good insulation and absorb moisture without feeling wet. Other good insulating materials include fleece, down and various synthetic fibers. Cotton is less effective.

6. The outer layer should keep out wind and rain. Wind drives cold air and moisture under clothing, carrying away layers of insulating air (see table below). Skiing- and cycling-type sports, for example, increase the effect of wind. Choose garments with numerous zippers and flaps. Opening and closing these can often replace the nuisance of removing garments. The same holds for hats and mittens. When selecting outerwear, choose bright colors – they help make kids more visible.

7. Bulky snow suit-type outfits pose a danger for infants in car seats. In serious accidents the material is compressed sufficiently to loosen the harnesses, possibly enabling ejection of the child; harnesses must be taut. In cars, keep infants warm by covering them with blankets.

8. Ideal headwear is waterproof, lined with woolen material, fits fairly snuggly, and covers the neck and ears. Hoods provide additional warmth (and can’t be easily lost) but offer little protection when worn alone. Avoid hoods with long drawstrings; such strings have caused injuries to children by getting caught in branches and other objects. Check that headwear does not interfere with vision. Too many layers over the ears may reduce hearing.

9. Avoid long scarves; they too have caused injuries by getting caught in objects (ski lifts, for example). In very cold weather, a scarf wrapped over the nose and mouth helps to warm the air going into the lungs, reducing the incidence of cold-induced coughs.

10. Mittens are warmer than gloves.

Mittens fit loosely, allowing air to circulate around the hand; the skin warms that air. In very cold weather, waterproof mittens over gloves add additional insulation. Both mittens and gloves should be sufficiently long to extend over or under elastic-type sleeve ends. For small children, choose gloves/mittens that attach to the sleeves by clips or other means to prevent loss.

Coming soon: TenTips ~ Footwear

The Wind Chill Factor

The Wind Chill Factor shows how wind enhances the effects of cold on human skin as compared to still air

Reproduced from the National Weather Service

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Children/Cold weather clothing/Staying warm, dry, safe

December 29, 2009

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