Cold Weather Leader Training

1. Cold Weather Leader Training Water and Sanitation

2. Cold Weather Leader Training Water

3. Safe Drinking Water • Having plenty of water will prevent dehydration. • Winter environment can be similar to a desert. Water not in usable form. • Each camper needs to drink 2 – 3 quarts of water per day to prevent dehydration. • Cold Weather Leader Training

4. Water Containers • 1 pint water bottle w/ pouch • Silo water bottles • Kettle • Water buckets • Thermos • Cold Weather Leader Training

5. Water Sources • Snow – time consuming • Ratio of air to water in snow can be as high as 16 parts air to 1 part water. • Ice – more efficient than snow • Liquid Water from lakes/streams – most efficient • All water must come from a safe sourceor be treated if uncertain. • Cold Weather Leader Training

6. Water Treatment • Preferred method: Boiling • Chemical treatments not recommended due to slow reaction times • It’s too cold! • To be considered safe, it needs to be at a rolling boil for a minimum of 1 minute. • Cool before using. • Cold Weather Leader Training

7. Alcohol and Nicotine • Alcohol is not permitted at Scouting events. • Alcohol – doesn’t freeze at 32 degrees • Alcohol causes frostbite to throat if super cold • Alcohol is a vasodilator – can give you a false sense of warmth • Nicotine – Is a vasoconstrictor. • Cold Weather Leader Training

8. Caffeine • Caffeine – Is a diuretic. • Can contribute to dehydration • Use decaffeinated coffee or limit the amount of coffee consumed. • Cold Weather Leader Training

9. Cold Weather Leader Training Sanitation

10. Hand Washing • Hand sanitation is important even in the winter. • Particularly after dealing with waste. • Hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes can be used if kept warm. • Minimize hand exposure, particularly during cold, windy days. • Prevent chapping/frost bite. • Cold Weather Leader Training

11. Food Handling • Cooks wash hands • Prevent food contamination with dirt, water, strong odors, people’s dirty hands. • Use perishable foods very quickly. • Don’t save leftovers – eat it or pack it out • Be cautious of animals – raccoons, gray jays, etc. • Cold Weather Leader Training

12. Dishwashing • OKPIK – Each individual cleans their personal bowls, cups, spoons (sumping). • Due to below freezing temperatures minimal worries about personal dishes being a source of contamination. • Oven bags used in pot to prevent pot from getting dirty. • If concerned, use boiling water as a disinfectant. • Cold Weather Leader Training

13. Disposing Waste Water • Extra fruit drink, cocoa, coffee or any colored liquid should be drunk. • If poured on snow it will leave a stain. • Pour it down a dead tree trunk or large boulder if it must be disposed. • Cold Weather Leader Training

14. Disposing Human Waste • Urine – Urinate away from trails, camp, and water sources. • No snow cover – find a rock or bare ground to urinate on. • In a snow environment – find a pee tree for all to use. • Cold Weather Leader Training

15. Disposing Human Waste • Use a Cathole • 200 feet away from trails, camp, and water sources. • No snow cover – standard cat hole. • In a snow environment – dig down though the snow to the ground, do your business, and cover with snow. • Pack out your toilet paper in your garbage bag • Cold Weather Leader Training

16. Disposing Human Waste • Packing it out • Required in some pristine environments such as deserts, canyons, caves, alpine tundra, and glaciers. • These are places waste might not decompose readily. • Check with land managers as to how to deal with packed out human waste. • Cold Weather Leader Training