Treating Blisters On The Move

The correct treatment for blisters is still a controversial subject with some contrasting ideas being put forward. However, here at Bivi Bag we believe in a common sense approach, and so if you have a small blister whilst on the move, which has not yet burst, we recommend that you do not pop it, take whatever steps you can to stop any rubbing or friction on the point of the blister and if possible cover it with a plaster or bandage to provide an extra barrier. If you have access to them then the circular pads with a hole in the middle are ideal as they will let the skin continue to breathe.

Special Forces - Anti Blister Sock £9

For larger blister, pop them, make the incision as small as possible and try to use a sterile knife or needle. For sterilization tip some of that whisky you’ve been saving for emergencies over the blade or heat it briefly with a lighter to kill off bacteria. Don’t peel off the skin of the blister, this provides a nice barrier. If available put some antibiotic cream on the area to stop infection and wrap a clean bandage around it. Then get back to whatever it was you were doing, inevitably after some time walking the pain wears off in most cases.

Just remember, that at night you should take off the bandage as this will hasten the healing process and if possible put on a fresh bandage every day to keep chances of infection at a minimum.

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Blisters On The Move is a post from: BIVI BAG

Prevention of Blisters – Some Quick Tips

Blisters can be a real annoyance and have the potential to hinder movement and take the enjoyment out of your bivi bag adventures. First of all it is important to address the problem of blisters before they arise, this is done by wearing in boots and taking care of any potential areas of friction prior to setting off on a trip.

Special Forces Anti Blister Socks £9.95

Wearing breathable boots made from a fabric such as gore-tex will allow your feet to breathe while remaining dry, which in turn decreases the chance of blisters as any area that it damp for a prolonged period will become a strong candidate for developing a nasty case of blisters.

Don’t ever wear socks that are made from too much of an abrasive material as this will really wear the skin on the feet, this is often found in thicker socks. SAS trooper Chris Ryan was unfortunate enough to have on an army issue pair of socks at the time of his heroic escape from behind enemy lines in Iraq, and sites this as being a major cause for the horrendous state his feet eventually got in.

Clearly you will not be facing anything of this magnitude but it is a point to keep in mind. Some studies also show that 100% cotton socks are most likely to cause blisters as they do not allow the skin to breathe, so perhaps looking to avoid these may be a good idea.

Some also say that soaking the feet in white spirit every day for a week or two before any major hike can harden them up nicely and help prevent blisters, although the choice is entirely yours.

However if blister do apply then there are various ways to treat them to reduce the pain and help you get on. This will be discussed a future article.

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Preventing Blisters is a post from: BIVI BAG

The Symptoms of Frostbite

Frostbite is an extremely debilitating condition that can result in permanent and life altering injuries and so it is of upmost importance that you are able to recognise the symptoms and learn what the best practices of recovery and prevention are. Clearly, when we are out on our bivi bag adventures, or whatever outdoors activities you are doing, there will be times when we all come across extreme weather conditions and not only this but some will face this on a regular basis.

So here are the symptoms to look out for. Firstly, in the initial stages of frostbite, often referred to as ‘frostnip’, you may begin to notice a mild burning in sensation in your extremities, this is often noticed in the ears, and a waxy yellow or white color can come on to the skin. This however is easily treatable if caught early by slowly reheating the area. Do not apply direct or intense heat, remember that a slow and steady approach is always best. Often the reheating process is quite painful but don’t forget that you’re sacrificing a brief period of discomfort for the long term benefit.

The second stage of frostbite is when the cold has begun to really penetrate the skin and begin to freeze, pain will generally disappear at this stage and you will end up with reddening skin and some swelling. Again if you get to this stage remember to thaw out and reheat slowly, although you are likely to experience blisters and peeling skin, this tissue will be replaced in time and hopefully should not leave too much of a scar.

Finally, the last and most dangerous form of frostbite is when the cold has thoroughly worked into your tissue and has killed, or begun to kill the skin. This happens through a lack of blood reaching the tissue and is presented through waxy looking skin which is hard and painless to the touch. This skin will slowly turn black as the deeper tissues die off completely and will result in amputation of the affected area in a high majority of cases.

So these are the symptoms and possible implications of frostbite, shortly Bivi Bag will be bringing you an in depth article covering the best practices for keeping frost bite a bay and the methods that have been found best to aid in recovery from frost bite.

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Frostbite – Symptoms is a post from: BIVI BAG

50 Cold Weather Survival Tips

1.Wear a hat in cold weather. Did you know that nearly half of your body heat (approximately 40 – 45%) is lost through your head. This simple tip is very effective and will put you well on your way to winning the battle to stay warm.

2. Wear a balaclava to keep your head, face and ears insulated.

3. Don’t rely on one bulky coat to keep you warm.

4.Dress in layers, this will help you to trap heat close to your body and prevent it from leaking out into the atmosphere. Wear a vest, t-shirt, pullover, and good waterproof and preferably windproof jacket. You can then strip layers if you begin to overheat.

5. Ideally wear numerous thinner layers as opposed to a few thick ones.

6. Ensure that your outermost layer of clothing is waterproof and windproof.

7. Consider wearing wool. Although this may not have some of the advantages of more modern and hyped up materials, it will keep you warm even when wet, a property which not many other materials can boast.

8. Avoid cotton, this loses almost all its ability to retain heat if it gets wet.

9. Keep your neck covered. Do this with a scarf, alot of body heat is lost through the neck as the blood comes to the surface and in turn radiates a significant amount of heat. Also zip up your jacket tight as high as it will go, just dont choke yourself!

10. Wear a good pair of waterproof, breathable and well insulated gloves. Again alot of heat is lost through the hands due to reasons similar to the above.

11. Choose a coat with Velcro fasteners.  This will help seal in even more heat not only preventing leakage from the torso but also with fastener’s on the wrists and neck this can be very effective.

12. Make sure your boots are waterproof, breathable and well insulated. Goretex is a good fabric for this. Your feet are another point on your body through which alot of heat is radiated and being an extremity they can become very cold very fast.  This can be accentuated when they become wet and as we have all experienced at some time this can be very painful.

13. Wear woolen socks, again this can help keep your feet warm even if they should get wet.

14. For a low-tech waterproof method wear plastic bags over your socks. Double or triple wrap them for added protection.

15. Take a change of clothes. If you get wet make sure you have a change of clothes in your kit and change immediately. Nothing saps heat from your body quicker than being wet and this can lead to the onset of hypothermia and often be fatal in extreme conditions in a matter of minutes.

16. Ensure that all your clothing is completely dry before setting out, boots in particular may still be holding some excess moisture from your last outing.

17. Watch out for hypothermia. Symptoms include disorientation, feelings of confusion and a tendency to become somewhat clumsy.

18. These symptoms are often not apparent to the individual suffering them so keep an eye out for this in others.

19. If you suspect hypothermia then get out of the wind, this can sap heat at an astonishing rate. Change any wet clothing.

20. Do not apply direct heat. If possible avoid warming the arms and legs, just focus on the torso, preferably with a heat pad or lamp. Focusing on the torso prevents cold blood from the arms and legs moving to the brain and vital organs which can be fatal.

21. Make yourself a good hot brew. This will boost your core temperature and raise moral no end.

22. Take fire-lighting materials and a stove.

23. Store hot drinks in a thermos flask.

24.Do not drink alcohol. Although this gives a temporary feeling of warmth it will be short lived and cause you to loose even more vital heat.

25. Aviod sweating if possible. Sweating causes us to cool through evaporation.

26. Camp in low lying ground. This is generally warmer.

27. Make use of any man made structures to provide shelter.

28. If none are available then use whatever materials are available as a windbreak.

29. If it is snowing then build a snow wall to keep minimise any wind chill factor.

30. Get a quality, well insulated sleeping bag.

31. Sleep inside it in a bivi bag to keep the water out. Again opt for a bivi bag made from goretex.

32. The human body can sweat well over a pint of water even on a cold night and so a breathable bivi will help minimize this as they will let moisture escape but at the same time keeping it out of the bag.

33. Add a sleeping mat to your kit. This will prevent heat being drawn away from your body and absorbed into the ground and will also prevent any tears in your bivi bag from rough surfaces and the like.

34. If you need the toilet in the night avoid getting up and losing the heat you’ve built up, go in a bottle.

35. Consider the benefits of goretex clothing and sleeping equipment.

36.Goretex is breathable but still keeps moisture out which will help vent any sweating and is also windproof which can stop a large amount of heat from being sucked away from your body.

37. Breathe through your nose not your mouth. Breathing through the nose warms air.

38. If your hands are starting to become painful through the cold then let them dangle by your sides and vigorously complete a cricket bowling motion. This will help send warm blood from your upper arm and armpit into the fingers. Not too sure about this one to be honest!

39. Don’t eat snow. You will lower your internal body temperature.

40. Don’t eat yellow snow!

41. Heat any snow until it is fully melted before drinking.

42. If you happen to fall in the snow get up as fast as possible and wipe the snow away to prevent it melting on you.

43. Use hand-warmer pads for a quick boost of heat.

44. If  you are lucky enough to see the sun come out then use the opportunity to dry any wet clothes.

45. Keep spare clothes dry by wrapping them in plastic bags in your pack for extra insulation.

46. Don’t smoke. You will lose heat breathing through your mouth and may have to take off gloves whilst messing about to get the damn thing lit!

47. Before you set out on a trip check the weather forecast. If it’s shocking then don’t be afraid to postpone your trip.

48. If the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse when you’re out, turn back unless you are fully prepared.

49. Always make sure that other people know where you are and when you are likely to return so they can raise the alarm should you fail to do so.

50.Finally, if everything here fails, then think warm thoughts! Imagine you’re lying on a beach in the Caribbean, looking up at the palm trees and blue sky with the sun shining warmly against your skin, whilst you wait for your next beer. It could always be worse, if the last warm thing you have is your thoughts then make them good ones!

If you made it this far then please feel free to give your opinions and add your own ideas!

Thanks for reading!

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50 Cold Weather Survival Tips is a post from: BIVI BAG

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is an extremely debilitating condition brought on by a loss of body temperature to below 95 and the bodies inability to produce heat faster than it is losing it. You may feel yourself progressing from some slight shivering which can progress to the point where it is uncontrollable. However, the onset of hypothermia can be  gradual process and so the effects can creep up on you without noticing any dramatic decrease in your bodies functioning. Hypothermia can cause us to feel sleepyand feel confused. It can also affect our co-ordination and make us become somewhat clumsy and unable to carry out relatively simple tasks. This will drastically affect our chances of survival as if the bodies internal temperature decreases below 25 death is the most likely outcome and the onset of hypothermia will in turn make us less able to care for ourselves and remedy the problem.

If you think you my be suffering from hypothermia then take measures such as these; get yourself out of the wind as this can sap any heat from your body at an incredibly fast rate. Also if you are wearing any wet clothes take them off and change into dry ones if at all possible. Don’t look to apply heat to your arms and legs when you are initially starting to warm yourself up. This can cause your internal body temperature to drop further as it may cause cold blood to return to the vital organs and brain which can have fatal consequences. Also when you apply heat to your body look to focus on the torso and apply heat indirectly through the form of a heating pad or lamp. Lastly, don’t be tempted to drink any alcoholic beverages as this will cause the blood to rise to the surface of your skin and radiate heat away from you.

Hypothermia is a post from: BIVI BAG

Surviving The Cold

Extreme cold weather and snow can cause a major threat to us all if we are not properly prepared. To prevent succumbing to the cold you must take the correct equipment with you on your excursions.

Remember to take lots of warm clothing and dress in layers. This helps to keep you insulated and protect against the cold finding its way in. I would recommend wearing a vest, t-shirt, pullover and a good waterproof, well insulated coat from a good outdoor gear store at a minimum in very cold conditions.

Also consider the advantages of wool, this material will keep you warm even when it is wet. Layering helps to keep the warmth your body generates from leaking out into the outside air and also has the advantage of letting you regulate your temperature by peeling off layers if you start to overheat.

Also remember that nearly half of your body heat is lost through your head and so the importance of a good hat cannot be underestimated. Even though our heads usually feel warm when our extremities are cold this can be because of the vast amount of heat radiated through this area due to the body rightfully seeing it as the number 1 priority.

So just by keeping your head properly insulated you have already made major progress in the battle to keep warm . Again, a woollen hat is always a good option. Other points on your body such as the neck and the wrists are places where a lot of heat can be lost if not properly covered.

This is due to the large amount of blood which is circulated through these points. So be sure to have a good pair of waterproof, breathable and well insulated gloves ‘at hand’, and a  scarf with a well zipped up coat to protect your neck from leaking heat.

Make sure that your coat has fasteners on the sleeves , preferably Velcro as this will help seal in even more heat and cover your wrists. The same goes for the neck of your coat, the tighter the seal the better, just don’t choke yourself!

Surviving the Cold is a post from: BIVI BAG

Using Your Bivi Bag in the Snow

So hiking and adventure in the snow can be fun and allow you to see some amazing sites enhancing the challenge and excitement of whatever adventure it is that you are pursuing.

However, whenever there is snow involved everything becomes more difficult. Navigation my be hazardous and progress slow, sometimes leading to a standstill and forcing you to set up camp. This is where a high quality bivi bag will pay off.

Insulating yourself in a bivi bag will keep you dry throughout the night and for added warmth you may want to get into a sleeping bag inside your bivi and put keep some warm clothing on particularly keeping hat on as a large percentage of body heat is lost through the head.

Be sure that if you purchase a bag of high quality you will stay dry even when camped in heavy snow and the benefits you will reap will be worth the money you have spent.

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Snow Bivi Bag is a post from: BIVI BAG

How to Optimise Insulation in the Cold

Staying warm at night is obviously vital to survival and to make sure you sleep well and are rested properly for the next day to optimise performance. The human body, even in cold conditions, can sweat over a litre of water, and so using a breathable bivi bag is the preferable option for most, this will prevent you from getting wet with sweat during the night and making you cold,damp and miserable.

However, sometimes it may be a wise idea to also use a sleeping bag inside your bivi bag for extra insulation, particularly in a bivi tent. Also consider putting down a sleeping mat to place your bivi bag on top of.

This will prevent alot of your vital body heat from being sucked away into the ground and also acts as a barrier to prevent any damage to your bivi bag from thorns and the like.

Not only will this enable you to keep alot of heat in but it will also make for a more comfortable nights sleep as the ground will be somewhat softer, preventing you from waking up with aches and pains in muscles you didn’t know you had.

So summing up, to stay warm get a breathable bivi bag and consider insulating yourself further with a sleeping bag and a ground mat.

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Staying Warm in a Bivi is a post from: BIVI BAG

Top 5 tips for choosing a bivi bag

1. Long Term Regular Usage

If you are looking to purchase a bivi bag that will last the distance then go for something in the higher price margin preferably opt for a goretex bivi bag as this material will last you a long time and may save you money over the long term.

2. Short Term Irregular Usage

When looking to purchase a bivi bag for the occasional use over a short period of time or a single trip i would recommend going for a cheaper option as there are many suitable bags that will offer good protection for a lower price and give you greater value for money.

3. What Conditions are you Likely to Encounter

Now althougth the author recommended that a cheaper bag may be easier on your wallet you must take into consideration what kind of weather conditions you will face.  Even if you are only planning on a single trip, if it is possible you will face extreme conditions then always opt for a bag that will give you the protection you need. It may sound obvious but this is not a time for penny pinching, be in no doubt that a good, preferably, goretex bivi bag will keep you warm and dry, protecting you from the elements in even the harshest of weather.

4. Bivi Bag or Bivi Tent

A bivi tent or hooped bivi can provide extra space for storage and will not be as claustrophobic also allowing for an easier nights sleep, it can also have added protection from internal moisture build up as the sides and roof of the bag will not have direct contact with your body.  However, if you are looking for concealment then go for a more traditional bivi bag as you will stand out more in a bivi tent as it is of a larger size and so will be more clearly visible and take up more room. A bivi tent, although easy to construct will take longer than simply getting into your bivi bag. This may also be taken into consideration if time is an important factor to you.

5. Weight and Compatibility

If added weight and/or space is an issue then look for a bag that specifically states that it is ultra lightweight and will compact to a good size. Generally goretex bivi bags will do this job well but there are other materials which also offer this practicality.

Choosing a Bivi Bag is a post from: BIVI BAG

 Top five advantages of a goretex bivi bag

Goretex has many advantages in a survival situation, here are my 5 top reasons to choose this material over any other.

1.  Goretex fabric is really a very durable material and will ensure that, as long as you take good care of it, it will last you longer than other fabrics you may have the option of choosing, which will in the long term save you money buying new equipment.

2. Goretex is, unlike many other fabrics, breathable whilst still being waterproof to give you maximum protection but still keep you comfortable. Wind protection is also provided by goretex and again allows moisture to escape, something you wont find amongst other materials.

3. Goretex is lightweight and compactible and will enable you to add it to your survival kit without any added frustrations of extra weight or space.

4. All seams can be hot taped, meaning that there will not be stitching in the seams, unlike other fabrics in which stitching of the seams can inflict small holes and allow heat to escape and moisture to enter.

5. Finally, goretex technology is constantly advancing and new innovations are regularly coming into mainstreram use.  For example, the introduction of triple layer goretex fabric has further optimised the breathability, durability and windproof and waterproof properties of this material.

So in the authors opinion if you are going to buy a bivi bag then i would advise that you opt for a goretex model, preferably triple layer as this will provide you with every aspect of protection you can get in the present day market. Also if you think that it may be too expensive, consider that in the long term in may not only save you money but may save your life or at least ensure you get a better nights sleep.

Top Five Advantages of a Goretex Bivi Bag is a post from: BIVI BAG