Winter Winter AwarenessAwareness

Sleeping SystemsSleeping Systems

Sleeping SystemsSleeping Systems

• Course Objectives– Explain:

• The need for insulation above as well as below you• The ways body heat is lost and methods to

preserve it

• The ways and means of sleeping warm during cold and wet weather

• How to “winterize” your existing sleeping bag

The Million Dollar Question?The Million Dollar Question?

If you knew you were going on a camping

trip and the weather was going to be

below freezing, would you rather take 6

inches of wool blankets or a 6 inch down

sleeping bag?

Ways Body Heat is LostWays Body Heat is Lost

1. Radiation

2. Conduction

3. Evaporation

4. Convection

5. Respiration

RadiationRadiation

• Cause:

– The heat the body sends or radiates outward

• Prevention:

– Dress properly for sleeping. Cover the head?

ConductionConduction

• Cause:

– Heat will always travel to a cooler surface.

• Prevention:

– Insulate your body from cold objects, like the

ground.

EvaporationEvaporation

• Cause:

– Body heat turning bodily liquids to vapor

• Prevention:

– Reduce physical activity to reduce sweating

ConvectionConvection

• Cause:

– Air movement. Warm air is

replaced by cold air.

• Prevention:

– Dead air space.

RespirationRespiration

• Cause:

– Breathing out warm air and taking in the cold

air.

• Prevention:

– Avoid heavy exercise before bed so you won’t

be breathing heavily.

Sleeping SystemSleeping SystemGround ClothGround Cloth

– Purpose• Keeps ground moisture out• Protects tent and sleeping bag – keeps clean

– Qualifications• Large enough to cover sleeping area, but not too

large

• Thick enough to prevent punctures and rips

Bottom InsulationBottom Insulation

• Purpose

– Your body compresses the sleeping bag and

loses all the loft below you.

– Prevents conduction of heat

Bottom Insulation (cont.)Bottom Insulation (cont.)• Good materials to use alone

– Any closed-cell foam pad• Doesn’t soak up water

• Doesn’t let air pass through it and prevents convection

– Therm-a-Rest• Waterproof

• Prevents heat loss through conduction, convection and radiation below you.

Bottom Insulation (cont.)Bottom Insulation (cont.)

• Bad materials to use alone (but may be used in combination of two or more).– Cot: lets air circulate beneath you– Open cell foam pads– Newspaper (at least 1 inch thick)

• Bad materials to use anytime– Air mattress: your body doesn’t have enough

energy to heat up the air inside of it

What to look for in a sleeping bagWhat to look for in a sleeping bag

• Do you need a 4 season bag?

– How often do you go winter camping?

Sleeping BagsSleeping Bags

• Should be rated to temperatures below what you expect. – If nighttime temp can drop to -15o, then bag

should be rated to -30o

• Variety of fills for sleeping bags:– Down - Primalof– Microloft - Qualofill– Polarguard - etc.

Material TypesMaterial TypesQualities Cotton Down Wool Polar-guard Hilofill Fiberfill Thin-sulate

Wt per insulative value

High Low High Moderate Moderate High Very Low

Thickness per ins value

Very Thick

Thick Thin Moderate Moderate Moderate to thick

Thin

Warmth when wet

Very poor Poor Good Good Good Good Good

Length of time to dry

Long Very Long

Very short

Short Short Moderate Very Short

Compress-ability

Low Great Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Low

Breath-Ability

Fair Fair Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Good

Durability Poor Poor Good Moderate Moderate Moderate Good

Care required Mach. Wash

Dry Clean

Dry clean Mach.Wash

Mach. Wash

Mach. Wash

Mach. Wash

Cost Low Very High

High Moderate Moderate Fairly Low Moderate

Overall value for cold weather camping

Nearly worth-less

Poor if wet

Great Good Good Fair Great

Fit: 3 shapesFit: 3 shapes1. Rectangular

2. Tapered

3. Mummy

Bag Liner ?

We recommend a mummy bag.

Big Bag + Little Scout Bad Times

Loft:Loft:

• How easily does it compress?

• Does it bounce back?

Shell:Shell:

• It should be made of fine weave or rip-stop nylon.

• The 2 pieces should be cut differently for a smooth fit.– Materials

– Pick one that best suits your needs

ZipperZipper

• Should be made of plastic.– Doesn’t conduct heat as fast as metal.

• It should run from top to almost bottom

• Should have 2 sliders– Can be opened at the top and the bottom for

ventilation

Draft Tubes & HoodsDraft Tubes & Hoods

• Draft tubes block air coming in through the zipper.

– Should be fully insulated and extend beyond the zipper

• Hoods should be fully insulated and able to close around your head, leaving mouth and nose open to the air.

WorkmanshipWorkmanship

• Stitching should be straight with 8 to 10

stitches per inch

– Should have double-stitching at points of

stress (such as the zipper seam and the

hood)

Caring for your Sleeping BagCaring for your Sleeping Bag

1. Unpack at least 1 hour before using.

2. Keep your sleeping bag as dry as possible

3. Air out if possible to dry out any hidden moisture

4. Don’t store compressed or in a tight stuff sack between camping trips (causes loss of loft)

Tents & DressTents & Dress• Tents

– Why are they important?• To create a blanket of dead air space around you

• Dress– Only enough clothes to keep you warm, but

not enough to make you sweat– All clothes should be clean and dry, not the

ones you’ve been wearing all day as they have hidden moisture from perspiration.

Winterizing your Summer BagWinterizing your Summer Bag– Materials: sleeping bag & 2 or more blankets– Open your bag up all the way– Lay blanket so it covers ½ of the bag

(lengthwise)– Lay second blanket so it covers entire

sleeping bag– Lay extra blankets in the same manner– Lay down where blankets overlap– Fold blankets over you one at a time

alternating sides– Zip up your sleeping bag

Scout BurritoScout Burrito

Lay Here

2nd Blanket

1st Blanket

You

Sleeping Bag

Blankets

TipsTips

1. Don’t sleep in the bottom of the bag.2. Keep some high energy food nearby.3. Go to the bathroom before bed.4. Don’t dry wet clothes in your bag.5. Put tomorrow’s clothes in or under your

bag.6. Fluff up your bag to increase loft.7. Keep all of your sleeping gear dry.

Which is Better?Which is Better?

• 6 inch thick Down sleeping bag?

• 6 inches of Wool blankets?

Any Questions?Any Questions?

??Thank youThank you