How Do You Prevent Frostbite Using The Buddy System?
For anyone faced with a survival situation in an extremely cold environment, frostbite will always be a serious threat. Frostbite occurs when body tissues freeze. At first, a person’s skin will begin turning white–this is light frostbite. Left unprotected in the cold, the freeze will extend deeper beneath the skin, and may require amputation of the affected limb. In other words, it’s a good idea to try your best to avoid frostbite–and the best way to do this, arguably, is via the buddy system. Look over your buddy’s face every 30 to 60 minutes. Make your buddy do the same for you. You are looking for the dull white that is the tell-tale sign of oncoming frostbite. Ask your buddy several times during the day about his feet, and have your buddy do the same to you. Can your buddy feel them? A loss of feeling in your feet is another sign of oncoming or developed frostbite. Sometimes, however, as you are trekking or hiking, especially if you are very tired, you don’t notice yourself losin
