# What to do when lost in a whiteout

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-when-lost-in-a-whiteout/406529>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 3, 2007, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-when-lost-in-a-whiteout/406529 "2007-06-03T00:06:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-when-lost-in-a-whiteout/406529/21 "2007-06-05T18:55:54Z")

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[QUOTE=Telemark]  
The most common temps for hypothermia is 40s and 50s. The reason is that in winter, people prepare for and expect cold. But in moderately cold temps they are not prepared nor do they even look out for it.

Your body temp is in the 90s, any temp below that can result in hypothermia. Getting wet is the likeliest trigger, a 45 degree rainstorm is a classic scenario. But hypothermia can happen when the temps are in the 60s and even 70s. Getting wet, being placed in contact with the ground (a huge heat sink) and dehydration will all accelerate the process.

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Les Stroud, who has a bit of experience with surviving in unforgiving environments, talks a lot about hypothermia, and strongly urges folks not to work up a sweat for just that reason. He suggests that if you do get all sweaty, to strip and dry yourself and your clothes as fast as you can (in daylight, preferably with a fire).

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**Author:** ![CeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@CeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CeilingWhacks)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-when-lost-in-a-whiteout/406529/22 "2007-06-05T20:54:33Z")

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[QUOTE=EJsGirl]  
Les Stroud, who has a bit of experience with surviving in unforgiving environments, talks a lot about hypothermia, and strongly urges folks not to work up a sweat for just that reason. He suggests that if you do get all sweaty, to strip and dry yourself and your clothes as fast as you can (in daylight, preferably with a fire).  
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Woo frickin’ hoo!!  
Strip and dry in daylight. I’m there!

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