Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 26-1
Wind Chill Chart
Because convective heat loss can increase so enormously, it is the major cause of ter-
restrial hypothermia in the wilderness. Fortunately, clothing can greatly reduce this type of
heat loss. Insulating clothing, such as down or wool, forms a myriad of small pockets in
which air is trapped—the essence of thermal insulation. Windproof outer garments prevent
displacement of the air within and between layers of clothing.
Convection also is a major route of heat loss in cold water. The water next to the skin
extracts heat and is warmed, but any movement, such as swimming, displaces the warmed
water, which is replaced by more cold water. Because the specific heat of water is so high,
tremendous amounts of heat can be lost through convection, much more than can be gen-
erated by physical activity, even by the strongest, most well-conditioned swimmers. Indi-
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