COLD WEATHER TIPS

FOR ME THERE IS NOTHING THAT RUINS A RE-ENACTMENT (OR ANYTHING ELSE) MORE THAN BEING "TOO COLD". IT'S NOT SO BAD DURING THE DAY BUT IF IT'S TO COLD TO SLEEP--- WELL IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN THERE YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THE NEXT TIME YOUR CAUGHT UNPREPARED FOR THE COLD WEATHER TRY THIS.

A PONCHO / GROUND CLOTH IS ONE OF THE BEST PIECES OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN OWN. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE IT SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE. DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU NEED IT BECAUSE THE FIELD SUTLERS WILL JACK UP THE PRICE IN BAD WEATHER AND THEY ALWAYS RUN OUT OF THEM.

CAMPAIGN STYLE

IF YOU CAN OBTAIN ANY DRY STRAW, HAY OR PINE NEEDLES DO SO.LAY OUT THE STRAW AS LONG AND AS WIDE AS YOUR BEDDING.1. LAY YOUR PONCHO BLACK SIDE DOWN ON THE STRAW. 2. LAY YOUR BLANKET DOWN ON TOP OF THE PONCHO.

NOW WHEN YOU GET INTO "BED" LAY ON ONE ½ AND FOLD THE OTHER ½ OVER YOU. THE PONCHO WILL KEEP THE GROUND MOISTURE FROM RISING INTO YOUR BED AND THE FACT THAT THE OTHER ½ OF YOUR PONCHO IS ON TOP WILL KEEP THE DEW FROM MAKING YOUR BLANKET DAMP. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THE RUBBER PONCHO WILL TRAP YOUR BODY HEAT BETTER THAN 2 OR 3 BLANKETS.

IF YOUR STILL COLD DON'T FORGET ABOUT THAT GREAT COAT.

IT MAKES A "GREAT" BLANKET IN A PINCH.

COVER YOUR HEAD!

MOST OF YOUR BODY HEAT IS LOST THROUGH YOUR HEAD. WEAR A NIGHT CAP OR YOUR KEPI.

JUST COVER THAT UGLY NOGGIN OF YOURS UP!

IF YOU ARE USING A SHELTER ½ (THAT'S ONE HALF, LIKE A LEAN TO.) WHERE POSSIBLE TURN THE OPEN SIDE TOWARD THE FIRE. THE SHELTER WILL RADIATE THE HEAT BACK TOWARD THE FIRE AND YOUR BACK SIDE.

STAY DRY!

DON'T OVER EXERT YOURSELF AND START TO SWEAT. YOU WILL PAY FOR IT WHEN YOU STOP. AND ALWAYS, I DO MEAN ALWAYS CARRY EXTRA SOCKS. 2 EXTRA PAIR IS BETTER THAN ONE.

DON'T WEAR YOUR CLOTHES TO BED. TAKE THEM OFF, FOLD THEM UP AND USE THEM FOR YOUR PILLOW OR JUST TUCK THEM UNDER YOUR BLANKET WITH YOU. IF YOU WEAR THEM TO BED THEY WILL BE DAMP WHEN YOU GET UP IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING.

WHEN IN DOUBT TALK TO ANY OLD G.I. WHO HAS GONE THROUGH A COLD WEATHER TRAINING COURSE. HE CAN GIVE YOU MORE TIPS THAN I CAN POSSIBLY LIST HERE.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE ANYONE FROZE TO DEATH AT A RE-ENACTMENT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE NEXT DO YOU?