Single digit survival in unexpected situations

Central Arkansas hasn't had a string of days with single-digit temperatures in several years. So, get ready now, because it's coming whether you like it or not.

It's freezing outside and your car breaks down.  What do you do?  "If you get nervous and you start sweating, you're wet and you're not well-protected, you could certainly develop hypothermia in thirty minutes," says Dr. K. Morgan Sauer.  "If it's something you know you can handle fast, do it. If not, get back in the car. Most of the highways have cell phone service, and it's important to practice common sense when it gets this temperature," Dr. Sauer adds.

What do you do if your child has to go to school and wait for the bus outside.  "They're smaller. They're not able to generate as much heat as we do.  Dress extra warm when you're outside, and then when they get to school, they can then start to remove some of those layers," Dr. Sauer says.

You're not watching where you're walking and your feet get wet. What do you do?

"It's better to play it safe than to lose a foot or even lose a toe. Most people think, eh, toes don't do much. actually toes are really important for our balance. Don't go shock the tissue by dumping it into hot water. If you've got nice warm water, that's going to bring the tissues safely up to a normal temperature," says Sauer.

Even if you think you're invincible, you're not. Just be smart.  "The weather is not terribly dangerous if you know what you're doing."  Doctor Sauer says, bottom line, if you don't have to go out in the cold, don't. 

If you plan on going hunting, Arkansas Game and Fish says make sure you use the buddy system, keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia, and if you get tired, and want to lie down and go to sleep, or you can't feel your hands or feet, get inside and call it a day. See a doctor if you have to.