Winter is still here in many parts of the U.S. This is a good time to review the potential hazards of cold weather and how to address them. Included are suggestions for medications to add to your first-aid kit.
Effects of severe cold on the body
Simply being chilly or cold generally isn’t a problem. But when overexposure to the cold leads to hypothermia and even frostbite, it’s time to take action.
Mild hypothermia: The body’s core temperature drops to a range of 90 to 95 F. The victim may be shivering and irritable, or, alternatively, lethargic. The skin is pale and will feel cold.
Get the person into a warm – and, ideally, dry – environment. Remove any damp clothes, and cover the person in a blanket or heavy jacket.
It’s crucial to increase heat production. That means exercise after the person consumes some food and liquids — heated, if possible. Be patient, especially if the person appears lethargic or irritable. Eventually, the food will help the victim regain strength.
Severe hypothermia: The body’s core temperature is below 90 F. The first step to get the person out of the cold environment as much as possible.
Have the person lie down, and slowly remove clothing. Apply heat packs to the thorax and monitor the person’s condition. The key is a gentle rewarming of the body. Don’t throw him into a hot tub, for example. Prepare to evacuate.
With hypothermia, there is the potential for the person to suffer ventricular fibrillation (v-fib). That is when the heart experiences a chaotic rhythm in the lower chamber, which can be life threatening. Watch for signs of cardiac arrest. Should that occur, begin CPR.
Frostbite: The skin is cold and may be a pale gray or pink color. A gentle rewarming will do. Apply a heat pack or a towel soaked in warm water. Avoid rubbing the skin to generate heat. That can injure frozen tissue. Loosen the person’s clothing to encourage better circulation.
Superficial frostbite generally doesn’t cause blisters. You can treat these cases in the field.
Pain is a natural byproduct of nerves warming up. Offer pain medications if requested. Keep the affected areas wrapped in warm clothing.
If any body parts are frozen solid, the person must receive immediate medical attention. Those conditions require expert care to minimize permanent damage. Fingers, toes, ears and the nose are especially susceptible to frostbite.
Other hazards to watch for
In addition to cold-related issues, be mindful of these hazards while camping.
Medical problems: Cold weather and above-normal exertion can bring about a cardiac event. If someone is experiencing chest pain, give them 80 mg of aspirin, have them rest, and monitor for possible heart attack. It could be angina, but If the pain is not relieved with rest, this could be a serious problem. You should start heading into town.
Cold air can trigger an asthma attack unexpectedly. Help them with their rescue inhaler. Provide reassurance and encourage rest. A spacer may be needed with the rescue inhaler. If the person doesn’t respond or goes into respiratory failure, administer epinephrine. Just because it worked that time, my rule is any time I give epi, the person is going to the hospital for follow up.
Burns: Be careful when using or working around heaters and stoves. And if one is used inside a tent, there’s the added potential for a fire. (Of course, burns from a grill or campfire are possible, as well.)
Carbon monoxide poisoning: Always a concern when a nonelectric heater is brought into a closed space. I always recommend keeping a heater outside the tent. It’s better to be a bit chilly than to be quite dead. Because it’s colorless and odorless, carbon monoxide can kill you while you sleep.
Slips and falls: Always a concern in snowy and icy conditions. Take extra precaution when you’re not sure of the condition of the surface. Lakes can be especially dangerous. A coating of snow can mask a thin coat of ice and you break through. Even if you don’t drown and can get back out, hypothermia will set in quickly.
Use extra precaution when outside guiding vehicles. You may slip into or under a moving vehicle. Vehicles can slide unexpectedly on snow.
Medications to add to first-aid kit
A well-stocked first-aid kit is useful year-round. You already have the basic for burns, in addition to trauma large and small.
Consider augmenting your kit with these medicines to help get through wintertime issues.
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): A collection of over-the-counter medications that lessen many aches, pains and other symptoms. The common names include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
You may have some of these in your first-aid kit already. Check expiration dates and replace any that are overdue.
Your first-aid kit may also contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). That’s OK for pain and fever relief, but it doesn’t offer anti-inflammatory properties.
Aspirin: It seems to me that most people do not carry aspirin in favor of their preferred NSAID. However, add a low dose (80 mg) version to your kit.
Thermometer: A small thermometer helps confirm whether someone’s body temperature is dropping toward hypothermia.
Lip balm and hand lotion: Cold air dries out the skin quickly. (Ditto for the alcohol in hand sanitizers.) Pack and apply lip balm and skin lotion frequently during the day. If you plan to stay at high elevations or in sunny conditions, consider products that offer UV protection.
Epinephrine: If you have completed training and certification for epinephrine auto-injectors in order to have a prescription, you need to ensure that the epi stays within the required temperature limits.
This is a link to California’s requirements. https://emsa.ca.gov/epinephrine_auto_injector/
I imply it is part of the first-aid kit, but in reality, it is likely in a separate environment. Don’t forget to bring it.
Take a Wilderness First Responder course. This article highlights just some of the issues, treatments, tools and medicines. I recommend Wilderness Medical Associates’ course, found here: https://wildmed.com/ .
Winter can be a great time to enjoy the outdoors. Plan properly to avoid or mitigate the extreme temperatures you may encounter.
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Did you miss the previous articles?
2026
- 2026-02-12 Foul Weather Food
- 2026-01-16 Pack Spare Bolts and Nuts
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The 2026 schedule of clinics and adventures trips has been posted on the web site.
April 2026
April 11, 2026 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – LA Area
April 12, 2026 Day 2 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – LA Area
April 11-12, 2026 Getting Started Two Day Package – LA Area
April 18, 2026 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – SD Area
April 19, 2026 Day 2 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – SD Area
April 18-19, 2026 Getting Started Two Day Package – SD Area
April 25, 2026 Winching Clinic – LA Area
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May 02, 2026 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – SD Area
May 03, 2026 Day 2 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – SD Area
May 02- 03, 2026 Getting Started Two Day Package – SD Area
May 04, 2026 Utah Trip
May 16, 2026 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – LA Area
May 17, 2026 Day 2 Getting Started Off-Road Driving – LA Area
May 16-17, 2026 Getting Started Two Day Package – LA Area
June 2026
June 13, 2026 Mini Clinic – Dutch Oven
June 20, 2026 Starting Rock Crawling
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Tom Severin, President Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc.
4-Wheel Drive School
310-613-5473
www.4x4training.com
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