Practical Prepping Podcast, Episode 540
Title: Cold Makes You Stupid: How Hypothermia and Frostbite Sneak Up on You
Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Mark & Krista Lawley
Overview: Staying Safe from Cold—Practical, No-Nonsense Advice
In this episode, Mark and Krista tackle two of winter’s most dangerous threats—hypothermia and frostbite. Steering clear of doomsday prepping clichés, they offer real-world knowledge and proven solutions anyone can use. The focus: understanding how cold injuries develop, recognizing their earliest warning signs, and acting decisively to prevent serious harm to yourself and your loved ones.
“Cold does not just make you uncomfortable. It makes you careless. And that's the part that gets people hurt.”
– Mark (00:01)
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. What Are Hypothermia and Frostbite? (01:20–02:20)
- Hypothermia: A whole-body emergency caused when your core temperature drops too low.
- Frostbite: Local tissue freezing, usually affecting fingers, toes, nose, and ears.
- Both conditions often occur together due to wind, wetness, tight clothing, exhaustion, and especially after alcohol exposure.
“Hypothermia steals your brain, but frostbite steals your fingers and toes.”
– Krista (02:08)
2. Spotting Early and Severe Hypothermia (02:20–04:11)
Mild Hypothermia Signs (02:44)
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Clumsiness—fumbling with zippers, buttons
- Slowed or slurred speech, irritability, or unusual stubbornness
- Fatigue
Danger Signs/Time to Act (03:33–04:11)
- Confusion and inability to answer simple questions
- Stumbling, loss of coordination
- Shivering stops (a critical warning)
- Drowsiness and a strong desire to lie down
"The shivering stops. Oh, that's a classic oh sign..."
– Mark (04:03)
3. Immediate Interventions for Hypothermia (04:11–06:57)
- Seek shelter: Get out of wind and wet immediately, even if it’s just a vehicle or behind a tarp.
- Change to dry clothes: Remove wet clothing, add dry layers, focus on warming the core.
- Warm drinks: Only if the person is fully awake; sweet and warm is best.
- Handle gently: Don’t force exercise or rough movements with confused, cold individuals.
“Don’t rough handle them, don’t force exercise. Just gently find them some shelter, get them rewarmed, and get them help.”
– Krista (06:31)
Personal Story:
Mark shares a relatable incident of deer hunting in 4-degree weather, emphasizing how both seasoned hunters independently recognized the dangers and sought shelter in their truck for warmth and safety (04:25–05:44).
4. Understanding and Managing Frostbite (07:49–10:49)
Early Frostbite (“Frost Nip”) (08:09)
- Tingling or stinging sensation
- Numbness, skin appears pale or waxy
- Affected area feels cold and firm
Advanced Frostbite Signs (08:46)
- Skin feels hard (“like wood”)
- Blisters after warming
- Later, skin turns blue, gray, or black
Critical Rule
Never thaw frostbite if refreezing is possible; refreezing causes far more damage (08:46).
What to Do
- Remove tight items (rings, socks, gloves).
- Rewarm only in water 99–104°F (like a warm baby bath), soak 15–30 min.
- Expect pain during thawing.
- DON’T rub with snow or use direct heat (heating pads, fires) on numb skin.
- DON’T pop blisters.
“I don’t know how anybody ever got the idea that rubbing frozen stuff on frozen skin would help.”
– Mark (10:05)
5. Prevention is Everything (10:49–14:25)
The Big Rule: Stay Dry
Wet clothing multiplies risk for both cold injuries—change promptly and layer up.
Protect Kids:
Small children are especially vulnerable; limit outdoor play in severe cold to short bursts, with careful monitoring of extremities (11:20–12:19).
Block the Wind:
An inexpensive windbreaker over layers can help more than a thick sweater.
Shield Key Areas:
Prioritize the head, neck, hands, and feet; mittens (not gloves) and wool socks (not cotton) are vital (13:14–13:29).
Layer Smart:
Try latex/nitrile gloves under mittens for extra insulation; handy for adults needing prolonged outdoor exposure (13:46).
Avoid Sweating (15:21–16:44)
Sweating from overdressing leads to cooling-off crashes when activity stops; ventilate/layer appropriately.
“If you're sweating, you're overdressed and that sweating causes you to lose more body heat in the long run.”
– Mark (15:29)
Eat and Drink Regularly:
Dehydration and low calorie intake reduce heat production—fuel up with warm, sweet drinks, but avoid alcohol (16:44–17:11).
“No alcohol as a warming strategy...It makes you feel warm while losing heat for faster.”
– Mark (17:06)
6. Memorable Quotes & Practical Mantras
- “Cold does not just make you uncomfortable. It makes you careless.” (00:01)
- “Hypothermia steals your brain, but frostbite steals your fingers and toes.” (02:08)
- “Stay dry. Wet clothing is a cold injury multiplier.” (11:06)
- “Mittens are better than gloves. The fingers are sharing body heat.” (13:36)
- “No alcohol as a warming strategy...It makes you feel warm while losing heat for faster.” (17:06)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:01 — Why cold makes you careless; overview of hypothermia and frostbite
- 02:20 — Key differences and overlap between hypothermia and frostbite
- 02:44 — Early warning signs of mild hypothermia
- 03:33 — Moderate/severe hypothermia: The “stop everything” danger signs
- 04:11 — Step-by-step hypothermia first aid and Mark’s hunting story
- 07:49 — Understanding and identifying frostbite
- 08:46 — Advanced frostbite, when to (not) thaw, real-life protocols
- 10:49 — Prevention tips: layers, wind protection, special note about kids
- 13:14 — Head, neck, hands, feet: how and why to protect extremities
- 15:21 — Layering and sweating, managing food/water intake, alcohol myths
Tone and Approach
Mark and Krista’s discussion is friendly, conversational, and grounded in real experience. They use relatable stories, family examples, and practical tips over technical jargon, ensuring the advice feels accessible and doable for everyone—parents, outdoor workers, or anyone at risk of winter exposure.
Summary Takeaways
- Hypothermia affects your mind; frostbite affects your body.
- Watch for early signs: Shivering, numbness, clumsiness, and behavior changes signal it’s time to act.
- Shelter, dry clothes, gentle handling, and non-alcoholic warm drinks are key interventions.
- Never rub frostbitten skin or thaw if refreezing is possible.
- Simple prevention—stay dry, block wind, and eat well—beats complicated gear every time.
- Watch out for kids—they lose heat fast!
- Alcohol doesn’t keep you warm—it makes it worse.
“Cold makes you stupid. So you've got to watch yourself or the people that you're with.”
– Krista (19:24)
Stuff happens. Stay prepared.