Very cold: the tips of the Jean-Louis Etienne explorer to protect himself

What is the reaction of the body in the cold?

Jean-Louis Etienne.It is essential to remember that we are hot, very hot animals, we must keep our thermal capital which is 37 degrees: it is a stable value to which we cannot derogate.It is obvious that when the temperature drops, at -5 -10 -20, the temperature difference means that the body will get into a situation of energy saving.It will start by limiting peripheral circulation, in the upper limbs, arms, and lower limbs, legs, feet, etc.., so as to limit thermal losses.This is why we start to be cold first in the hands and feet.On the other hand, there are places of the body which are condemned to stay at 37: the brain, the thorax and the abdomen.Instead of asking too much energy, the body always has intelligence when it is necessary to lower the thermostat.This is what we see in many populations, as in Russia or in Inuit: the body is capable of hypothermal acclimatization.It is the same principle as altitude adaptation, where oxygen is less present.During an expedition, at the North Pole, I experienced temperatures from -52 to -18 maximum.At the end of my two months of journey, my body temperature was 35.5 degrees.

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Can we really fight against the cold?How to protect yourself?

We can deal with the cold, in several ways.On the one hand, by our way of dressing.You have to multiply the clothes of clothing, so as to create insulating volume.Here it is the air that will serve as insulation.The error would be to put tight clothes, on the contrary, they must be broad to allow the formation of this layer of air, which will warm up.It is also fundamental to put a windbreak garment above all that, so that it imprisoned hot air.We can for example put a t-shirt, then a polar sweater, then the wind cut.In terms of feet, no need to put two pairs of socks!Better to take a slightly large pair of shoes, with thick socks, why not football socks, so that there is a little room for hot air.By stacking the socks, we will just create a kind of withers and be too tight in his shoes.Another part that we are going to protect is the neck.In this area there is a large blood circulation, the jugular veins, the carotid arteries, which must remain at 37 degrees.These areas, which are exposed to faster cooling, must be covered with a turtleneck or a scarf.

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Apart from clothing, what are the other reflexes to adopt?

When you are outside, it is essential to take shelter from the wind, if you have to wait for someone, or the bus, for example.The wind does not lower the temperature, but it accelerates the body's cooling speed.Food is also essential to maintain the thermostat of the body.To stay at 37, the body will ask for more calories.But nature is well done: in summer, when it is soft, you feel the need to eat light, fruit or salads.When it is cold on the other hand, you feel the "hunger of fats", which makes you tend to eat much more consistent dishes, like cassoulets, stews, dishes rich in fat.You should know that fats are much more energetic than sugars, they bring 9 calories to the gram, while sugars only bring 4.Do not be afraid to eat fatty things, like butter in the morning.And no need to be afraid to grow, the body will take care of grilling them very quickly, like fuel.Consuming hot drinks is also a good reflex.

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Can our body adapt too, even if our climate is not really extreme?

It is possible to slightly desensitize your body to the cold.For this there is a good method: you have to take cold showers!The perception of cold or hot is indeed given by kinds of small thermometers that we have on the skin.On the face or on the hands, as they are always outside, the differences in temperature perception are not brutal.On the other hand, if we run cold water in the back, we will jump, because these areas are used to permanent thermal comfort.It's a bit difficult at first, but we get used to it very well.

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Can very cold temperatures represent a danger to health?

There may be risks, in particular concerning frostbite, some people are very sensitive to it.We can have cracks if we pass our very cold hands under very hot water.It is a reaction to rapid dilation by heat, when they were contracted by the cold.In extreme cases, it can happen among explorers or mountaineers if they are blocked outside, the body can make the "sacrifice of the periphery", only keeping the essential blood circulation, closing the arrival of the blood at the ends.We are talking about frostbite and necrosis.Hypothermia is also a risk if you cannot warm up.For example, I have already suffered from beginner hypothermia, in the tent at -52 degrees at the North Pole in 1986.I knew what was happening to me, but as it was at night, I couldn't move to warm up, I had to wait several hours, wake up regularly because of the cold.

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