How to keep warm in winter in the taiga

Excellent instruction that can save your life, if you find yourself in a survival situation in the winter woods.





Away 22- 25 February 2013 in the Pskov region simultaneously worked
creation of an underground chamber and "bed on the coals" in winter conditions
(frost at night by the light of the sun -12 by the end of "engineering" works to - 17 degrees).
The thickness of snow cover - about 30 cm.
(In the Pskov region of heavy snowfall in Moscow it was not).
Ground - Black, stones did not have a bed made exclusively on the coals.
Forest mixed with dry wood harvesting problems have arisen.
Near wetlands, lots of sticks and reeds.
So first things first.
Base camp underground center Dakotsky he is close to him "bed on the coals."
In winter, this option is being followed by us for the first time.
Continue on these types of buildings did not survive, because It was where to stay.
Ideally, it was necessary to put a heat-reflective screens still
as banal odnoskatnik over "bed».



Underground hearth made the following dimensions: depression in the ground by about 40 cm.,
outlet diameter of 40 cm as well, the inner diameter is larger,
ie kuvshinovidnaya form. Blower made a discovery method, followed
ceiling of 3 raw birch logs and sprinkle on top
ground. Practice shows that this overlap is easier to do than dig
Tunnel in the blind, and sprinkle on top of the tree does not light
what would there not talking sofa comrades and other skeptics.
As a result the design of reliable and easier, but in the warm season,
when the soil is easy to dig and hands do not freeze at small sizes can focus
do it blindly and without further overlapping,
maybe it will be easier - in the summer and will need to try this method.
Was used for kindling firewood, which is in the district was more than abundant.
Almost immediately create sustainable traction.



On the creation of focus was spent 30 minutes after clearing snow
before harvesting the first batch of firewood and kindling.
Once the center has been actively eat the wood and recycle them in the coals,
engaged in the creation of "a fiery bed».
The ground was frozen for 5-7 centimeters, if the resettlement focus strong enough prodolbit
frozen ground shovel the "fire bed" cut a hatchet, and then process the scapula.
Large chunks of frozen swing out, beneath the soft soil dug quite easily.
Deepening a "bed" of about 20 -25 cm. The size 170h60 cm.



When the most complex "digging" the works were finished
It has been prepared for firewood litter.
Sleeping on firewood stack in fact, even more comfortable than in the spruce branches,
humanely and with respect for nature.
To prepare it (just wringing his hands) managed no more than 10 minutes.
At the "bed" spread a tent for protection against condensation.
The final time of the creation of an underground chamber and "fire bed" - 1, 5 hours.
Ambient temperature -17 degrees (measured on the thermometer)
under an awning on firewood stack for 10 minutes, the temperature rose to zero,
20 minutes to + 12. After 4 hours, another temperature control showed 10 degrees.
To be honest with measurements no then do not bother,
The location was off to the side of the warm house, but in the morning when the frost feels
It was not less than -17 on the bed still warm and it felt like nothing 8:00!



SUMMING UP
Time for the resettlement of 1, 5 hours.
Number of persons - two.
Use tools:
Forged Sapper shovel for stony soils, ax ax, a chainsaw.



Advantages of the design:
an underground hearth
Most stealth design. In comparison, for example, focus
nodey substantially less noticeable in the dark.
Fire safety.
Great efficiency and reliability of the decay. Properly done underground center
good "eats" even damp wood
(assuming that there are already sufficient heat from normal wood).
Also convenient to cook food and boil water, because
most of the heat is not directed at the sides and top of the nozzle chamber.
by fiery bed
The ability to relax and sleep without a sleeping bag in freezing temperatures.
Stealth design.
The already finished form design itself does not mean on the ground, as there is no open flame.



Disadvantages:
an underground hearth
Inefficient use as a means for heating
outdoors (in different versions huts situation just
on the contrary - it is almost the only option for heating from natural
material that does not smoke and fire safe as possible).
Required tools for digging. Without blades even the most
a little difficult to make an underground fireplace.
The need to calibrate the wood. If itself hearth cooking
fully perform their tasks using only twigs,
that can be mangled hands to prepare the coal for "fiery bed»
you must have something more serious and therefore need a tool.



on the "bed on the coals»
The complexity of the process. Dig a layer of soil at least 20-25 cm.
quickly it is not easy, especially if the ground is frozen.
The presence in the land of different stones and tree roots may also hamper the process
(in this case of such obstacles, fortunately, it was not).
The need for breeding and maintenance of fire throughout the area, "the fire bed."
In this case, coal is harvested in an underground hearth greatly simplifying the task.
The need to have an insulating layer to protect from moisture since condensate and therefore
damp clothing can significantly aggravate the situation of who need warmth and relaxation.



Summing up I want to note once again that it is in this departure
It has been worked out only the technical aspects of the creation of the hearth and the bed
with an appropriate instrument, data of terrain and time of year.
The tasks fulfilled. There is a clear understanding of how and what to do.



The underground center, coupled with "fire bed" quite working and effective option.
But the main advantage of everything boils down to the same secrecy parking,
but this is not all and not always necessary as a primary objective.
I believe that from such a tandem would be much greater efficiency if
we are talking about settling a dome tent design (yaranga, wigwam, etc.)
when there is no warm sleeping bags and cold forced to seek warmth and comfort.



In this case, the presence of a tent in the middle of the underground chamber
(with the conclusion of the ash outside the hut)
allow to have enough fire-safe source of heat,
while high heat will minimize the amount of smoke,
And if before the building of the hut to be done around the floor heating on the principle of "fire bed»
then in a tent can ride out even severe frost and normally rest.
If possible, just such an option and try to work out)))

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