COLD WEATHER AND LARPING- Safety Marshal post

Hello all, one of your resident Safety Marshals here and I’d like to take a moment and talk about the weather in relation to you over the next few events.

My experiences with Fire/EMS and the nature of my education in Vermont have taught me many things regarding how to properly dress for cold/poor weather scenarios and I would like to share some of that wisdom now. While these suggestions are not mandatory they could help to ensure the enjoyment of this event and most importantly ensure your well being.

Going forward, it can be expected that nighttime and eventually daytime temperatures will fall below at least 50 to 40 degrees F. Be sure to check the forecast for Camp Sac ( wxch.nl/31jaLRv ) leading up to an event so you can best prepare yourself based on projected weather and temperatures


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COLD/ADVERSE WEATHER DRESS

While the higher ranges of theses temperatures aren’t something to worry about. It is indeed POSSIBLE to have hypothermia in 50 degree weather when you are wet or sweaty. And it is certainly the case below 40 to 50 F in any state. This poses a threat to anyone and anything that does not take care of themselves in such conditions. That being said, I want to provide several suggestions on how to properly dress for these conditions.


- The first and one of the most important things to remember is that Cotton “kills” (phrase I learned, merely an exaggeration) While cotton does not “kill” you outright, it can speed up a cold weather injury. Cotton is great in the summer, but it is not suitable for cold/wet conditions. Cotton only holds moisture to your body helping to reduce your core body temperature; it will NOT keep you WARM when wet and you WILL get wet from rain and sweat. Do your best to avoid cotton


- The best alternative to cotton is wool or some type of synthetic fabric. These materials will wick moisture and still keep you warm should they get wet


- Another important thing to remember is how to utilize these materials. The standard is a three layer system composed of your base layer, insulation layer, and your shell. All three are equally important and work in unison with each other.



• Base Layer – This is composed of a wicking material that takes the moisture (sweat) off your skin. The sole purpose is to maintain body heat and keep you dry. There are many options available and are usually labeled as cold gear. I also suggest a pair of durable wool socks. It is helpful to get pairs that are designed for large amounts of movement or athletics (this could help to avoid blisters)

• Insulation Layer- This layer is designed to generate warmth and help to keep that warmth within your system. This can be carried out in a number of different ways so go crazy with it. Just make sure YOU TRY NOT TO USE COTTON . I suggest fleece and wool as they provide high levels of comfort and warmth. Add layers at your own discretion based on your personal preference or the climate you are in.

• Shell Layer- This is by far one of the most important layers as it protects your insulation layer. The shell is composed of a hydrophobic (waterproof) material that will block both water and wind form entering your system. It’s almost like a second skin. By far this is the most difficult layer to incorporate in game being modern garments do not fit our period. For this, I would suggest a treated (hydrophobic spray) wool cloak, a waxed or oiled cloak, or a neutral colored poncho. Also at the end of the day safety not immersion is the most important thing so do what you must. Also this helps to keep you warm by primarily keeping you and your other layers dry and out of the wind.

These layers can be adapted to meet several conditions and can be tailored to your own needs.

In addition, it is always appropriate to wear the right footwear, headwear, gloves, etc. based on your needs and the needs of the weather regardless of how they may look. Cold weather safety takes priority over immersion. We will always prefer the traditional snow boot over the immersive summer time footwear you normally wear. If anyone challenges you over this feel free to reach out to a safety marshal, player rep, marshal, or anyone in the KR chain of command and it will be seen to.


ALSO, be sure not to overdress! This is where overheating may become and issue and you can become a heat casualty. Your dress should allow you to be comfortably cool when you are not moving. This ensures that you’re protected while sedentary but not overheating when you are fighting…..or running. Again this is a personal preference, but being comfortably cool while being sedentary is a good rule of thumb.

You should avoid exposing large portions of bare skin to the elements when warm dress is warranted.

Be sure to change out of wet clothes and ensure that you bring enough extras to keep yourself relatively dry throughout the event. This is especially important for socks and undergarments. Overall, the goal is to stay DRY!


Be mindful of yourself and your limits and keep an eye on your fellow Players

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COLD WEATHER INJURIES

The first type that we will touch on is HYPOTHERMIA

Here are some symptoms to keep an eye out for

Mild hypothermia
• Shivering
• Dizziness
• Hunger
• Nausea
• Faster breathing
• Trouble speaking
• Slight confusion
• Lack of coordination
• Fatigue
• Increased heart rate

Moderate to severe hypothermia
• Shivering, although as hypothermia worsens, shivering stops
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Confusion and poor decision-making, such as trying to remove warm clothes
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Lack of concern about one's condition
• Progressive loss of consciousness
• Weak pulse
• Slow, shallow breathing

Someone with hypothermia usually isn't aware of their condition because the symptoms often begin gradually. Also, the confused thinking associated with hypothermia prevents self-awareness. The confused thinking can also lead to risk-taking behavior.


It is also important to note colors and feeling of someone’s extremities, face area, and anything exposed.

Rosy cheeks, discoloration, lack of color, loss of feeling or sensitivity are all early signs of a cold weather injury.



Should you yourself feel or see someone with these symptoms get them inside immediately but carefully and contact a safety marshal (our phone numbers are available in logistics). It is important not to take drastic movements as this can lead to shock which can be deadly. Once inside, carefully remove wet articles of clothing and wrap the person in dry blankets. Avoid hot beverages and food as this can also lead to shock. The goal is bring the individuals core temperature to a normal state
If you suspect someone is suffering from moderate to severe hypothermia or they show no improvement upon sustained removal from the cold environment, call an ambulance immediately as they could be experiencing a life threatening episode!

This is unlikely, but it is possible so stay vigilant.



Another thing we must keep an eye out for are FROSTNIP and FROSTBITE

Here are some symptoms to keep an eye out for

• At first, cold skin and a prickling feeling
• Numbness
• Red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin
• Hard or waxy-looking skin
• Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness
• Blistering after rewarming, in severe cases

Frostbite is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Because of skin numbness, you may not realize you have frostbite until someone else points it out.

Frostbite occurs in several stages:
•Frostnip- Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite. Continued exposure leads to numbness in the affected area. As your skin warms, you may feel pain and tingling. Frostnip doesn't permanently damage the skin.

•Superficial frostbite- Superficial frostbite appears as reddened skin that turns white or pale. Your skin may begin to feel warm — a sign of serious skin involvement. If you treat frostbite with rewarming at this stage, the surface of your skin may appear mottled. And you may notice stinging, burning and swelling. A fluid-filled blister may appear 12 to 36 hours after rewarming the skin.

•Deep (severe) frostbite- As frostbite progresses, it affects all layers of the skin, including the tissues that lie below. Your skin turns white or bluish gray and you may experience numbness, losing all sensation of cold, pain or discomfort in the affected area. Joints or muscles may no longer work. Large blisters form 24 to 48 hours after rewarming. Afterward, the area turns black and hard as the tissue dies.


While it is very unlikely someone will develop severe frost bite it is still something to be mindful of.
In our case, we will mainly need to worry about frostnip.

The best way to avoid frostnip or frost bite is to minimize exposure of bare skin to cold weather conditions and ensuring an appropriate level of dress for the weather and temperature. It is also best to avoid prolonged periods of time to cold weather and inspect your body and appendages for and symptoms when you change.

Treating any form of frostbite is similar to that of hypothermia and steps can even be taken without the assistance of a safety marshal should you feel it is only very minor. Like hypothermia you will need to remove yourself or the individual from the cold environment and into a warm and dry place and remove all wet articles of clothing and wrap the afflicted areas in dry blankets. If your hands are affected you can rest you hands under your armpits. It is very important to warm the affected area gradually as the sudden application of heat could lead to great discomfort and pain due to the rapid expansion of blood vessels in the afflicted area. If you suspect moderate frost nip or more please find or contact a safety marshal (safety marshals can be found in logistics). If you suspect someone is suffering from severe frostbite, call an ambulance!



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HYDRATION IS STILL IMPORTANT

Despite the cold weather, it can be easy to exert yourself as much if not more than you normally would during the hot and temperate months. Lack of hydration can also exasperate and increase the likelihood of cold weather injuries. Be sure to replenish your fluids and electrolytes regularly to avoid dehydration. This can be overlooked during the fall and winter and should be taken seriously especially if you're active and sweating.


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All in all, I hope this information proves to be useful to anyone that wishes to follow it . I know that many veteran players have their own ways of keeping warm and safe, but it is never bad to have a reminder.

To all new players I hope this info finds you well and that it helps prepare you for this and future events. Feel free to post any questions you have below or send me a message directly. Also, feel free to approach me or anyone on the safety team during our next event.

Cold weather safety is a personal responsibility first and foremost and the safety team trusts everyone to take it seriously and appropriately in their own regard. If you feel you need help meeting your cold weather needs, please reach out.





Taylor Meise

As a lifelong outdoorsman and a retired Corporal of Marines, Taylor gives good advice. Its sound, but I have thought of something others might not have: metal armor. Chainmail and plate are good at protecting against melee attackers. They're a heat sink in the cold. Insulate yourselves well, put the armor on, and put something over it- a coat or a surcoat/tabard/jin baori and then a cloak or other garment. Another countermeasure to add might be going to a brigandine (coat of plates) in the colder months for insulation from the metal, or paint your plate armor- they're finding paint in the crevices of old suits of armor in London's Royal Armory, so painting it a darker color MIGHT help the sun warm you a little.

this deals with hoods, but others layers are mentioned.