Snow Season Survival Guide

Conquer winter's challenges while safeguarding your health and well-being

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

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In snow and ice management, it’s always smart to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. But you can improve your odds for an accident- and injury-free snow season by ensuring your equipment — and your body — is ready. In this comprehensive winter survival guide, tailored specifically for snow and ice management professionals, you’ll find essential strategies to navigate winter with resilience. From assembling an emergency kit to recognizing red flags for heart attacks, frostbite and hypothermia, read on for tips to help you cope with extreme situations.
 

Be prepared on the road

Snow pros cover a lot of distance while clearing roads and driving between client sites. Take some time well before the first snowfall to check your vehicle’s emergency kit and add or replace anything that’s missing. Not sure what to pack? Here’s a list of useful items, as suggested by fellow snow plow operators:
   

Pay attention to your body

 

LEARN THE SIGNS: HEART ATTACK

A Canadian study from 2017 investigated the connection between snowfall and hospital admission or death due to heart attack. After analyzing nearly 200,000 reported heart attacks in Quebec, between November and April from 1981 to 2014, the quantity and duration of snowfall were linked with an increased chance of hospital admission or death due to heart attack.

The study also indicated that shovelling snow is a very strenuous cardio activity, demanding over 75 per cent of the maximum heart rate, especially when handling heavy loads. Cold exposure also increases risk by narrowing blood vessels, raising blood pressure and consequently placing more strain on the heart. Exposure to sudden cold can activate the nervous system and disrupt heart rhythms, while breathing in cold air has been found to reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.

Delaying medical attention can result in fatal heart attacks, so it’s essential that you recognize and promptly address any signs and symptoms of heart attack.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop shovelling. Ask someone for help and call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

• Chest pain or discomfort, with possible feelings of:
  • fullness
  • burning
  • pressure
  • tightness
  • squeezing
  • heaviness
  • crushing pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
• Pain that may spread:
  • from the chest area
  • down your arm(s)
  • to the neck, jaw or shoulders
• Paleness, sweating or weakness
• Nausea, vomiting and indigestion
• Heightened anxiety or fear

Most symptoms of heart attack are the same for men and women, although women are more likely to feel general discomfort in the chest rather than a sharp pain or tightness. That said, the presence of milder symptoms in women does not diminish the seriousness of a heart attack.
 

LEARN THE SIGNS: EXPOSURE

Frostbite happens when your skin and underlying tissue is damaged from freezing temperatures. The areas most likely to be affected by frostbite are: fingers, toes, cheeks, ears, chin and tip of your nose. Frostbite will cause affected areas to feel very cold, followed by numbness and tingling. As the condition gets worse, according to Mayoclinic.org, your skin may:

• Become hard or waxy-looking
• Turn colour, in patches of white, red, blue-grey, purple, brown or black, depending on severity and usual skin colour
• Feel stiff or clumsy
• Feel pain
• Blister after rewarming

While waiting for medical attention, protect the injured area from further damage. Avoid walking on frostbitten feet, remove rings or other tight items, take a pain reliever if necessary, and drink a warm, non-alcoholic beverage. Do not apply direct heat.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. When your core body temperature falls below 35 C (95 F), your heart, nervous system and other organs begin to struggle. If left untreated, hypothermia can cause heart and respiratory failure and even death.

An early sign of hypothermia is shivering — the body’s automatic defence against cold temperatures. While experiencing hypothermia, the following symptoms may come on gradually:

• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Attitude or behavioural changes
• Confusion or memory loss
• Loss of consciousness

Call 911 if you suspect you or someone else has hypothermia. Stay in a sheltered place, replace wet clothing with warm, dry clothing and blankets, and keep still to conserve energy. If your vehicle is your shelter, run the motor every hour for 10 minutes to warm it up. Open a window slightly and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow.
   

No such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing

No snow and ice management professional worth their road salt would be caught without high visibility gear.

When facing the elements, also consider how your clothing choices can help modulate body temperature to avoid both overheating and hypothermia.
 

MULTIPLE LAYERS

Opt for multiple, thinner layers rather than thick garments. The air between layers of clothing actually provides better insulation than the garment itself. Ensure garments are easy to open or remove to prevent overheating and excessive sweating during strenuous tasks. Keep clothing clean to maintain its insulating properties by preventing dirt from clogging fibres.
 

INNER LAYERS

Layers closer to your body should provide insulation and be able to "wick" moisture away from the skin. Look for thermal underwear made from polyesters or polypropylene.
 

OUTER LAYERS

These should be a size larger than the inner layer to avoid compression, which will decrease their insulative properties. Jackets should feature adjustable closures at the waist, neck and wrists to regulate heat retention, and have netted pockets and underarms for additional ventilation.
 

HEAD AND EYE PROTECTION

Fifty per cent of body heat is lost through the head, so always wear a hat. In extremely cold temperatures, add face protection like a balaclava or hard hat liner. Ensure eye protection is distinct from the nose and mouth area to prevent exhaled moisture from fogging or frosting eye shields or glasses. Choose eye protection that safeguards against ultraviolet light, snow glare, blowing snow/ice crystals and high winds.
 

FOOTWEAR

Opt for felt-lined, rubber-bottomed leather boots with removable felt insoles for cold-weather work. Leather's porous nature allows for breathability, enabling perspiration to evaporate. Use non-pore-blocking products to waterproof leather boots.

Reserve waterproof boots for situations involving water or slush. These boots can trap perspiration, potentially leading to quicker saturation of insulating materials and socks and increasing risk of frostbite. When trying on boots, wear the same type of socks you'll wear at work to ensure a proper fit. Consider OSHA- and ASTM-approved composite boots as they conduct less cold than steel-toed boots.
 

SOCKS AND GLOVES

Opt for either one pair of thick, bulky socks or a two-layer approach: an inner sock of silk, nylon, polypropylene or thin wool paired with a thicker outer sock. Always match sock thickness to your boots. Excessively thick socks can result in tight boots, compromising insulation and blood flow, and increasing the risk of injury. On the other side, socks that are too thin may lead to loose-fitting boots and potential blistering.

Liner socks aid in keeping feet dry and warmer by wicking sweat away from the skin. Note that as outer socks become damp, their insulation properties diminish, so keep extra socks handy to change as needed.

Layering advantages work for hands as well, so consider wearing thin polyester gloves under protective gloves.

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