How to Huddle for Warmth

In an emergency where you suddenly find yourself battling to conserve body heat, huddling together may make the difference between life and death. By sharing body heat and getting as close to your companions as possible, you can increase warmth and your chance of survival. Huddle for warmth when you must survive a cold environment. Not only can it help physically, but also the close contact can help provide reassurance and companionship in a frightening situation.

Things You'll Need

  • Jackets, blankets, sleeping bags or rugs
Show More

Instructions

  1. Huddling in Cold Conditions

    • 1

      Find a location that can provide some shelter from wind if you are outside. According to Practical Survivor, shrubbery, snow banks, rock formations or groups of trees can provide effective windbreaks that can help you stay warmer and increase your chances of survival. If you have shelter in a car or a building, use this shelter.

    • 2

      Use whatever insulation materials you have to cover yourselves and provide warmth. Even rugs and thin seat covers can provide some degree of insulation in an emergency situation. Cover yourselves with the insulation materials you have. If you have jackets, blankets or sleeping bags, use these to cover yourselves as completely as possible, including your heads.

    • 3

      Remove wet clothing to increase collective body temperature while you huddle. This can be especially effective for warming someone in danger of hypothermia. Use skin-to-skin contact to share body warmth under blankets, sleeping bags or jackets.

    • 4

      Place the youngest and weakest people in the center of your huddle to surround them with as much warmth as possible.

    • 5

      Switch between huddling and exercising to stay warm. According to Disaster Prepped, exercise will help increase body heat by increasing blood circulation. Do not exercise to the point of exhaustion, however.