Could You Survive a Surprise November Snowstorm©

 

Author’s note -- I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

It’s that time of the year.  Hunting season is coming up, and the weather is getting changeable...colder and snows on the way!

 

What would you do if you and your companions were confronted by an early surprise snowstorm, you’re all cold and wet, you’re at least one hours walk, maybe two, from your camp.  It is later in the afternoon, dark will be soon, you don’t have a compass, visibility is dropping and one of you is starting to stumble, mumble and complain about being tired?  That is the question that the Air Force Survival experts asked, almost fifty years ago, in the “Could You Survive’ column published in the Spokane Daily Chronicle, on October 25, 1977.  It’s a good question, what would you do?

 

Here’s some clues from the authors and some information to help you make your decision.  The authors wrote “...one of your companions begins to stagger and complains of fatigue”, this is a clear symptom of hypothermia...it is called the ‘5 umbles’.

 

The ‘5 umbles’ are an easy to remember checklist of behavioral and physical warning signs that can be used to identify the onset of early to moderate stages of hypothermia; the point where the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C).  Temperatures between 95°F and 90°F  (between 35°C and 32°C) is mild hypothermia, and at this stage, your body is still actively fighting the cold, however symptoms such as fatigue, shivering and clumsiness may appear.

 

The 5 Umbles

·       Grumbles.  When someone uncharacteristically begins to be irritable, complain, becomes apathetic or has a sudden negative attitude, this can be a symptom of hypothermia.

·       Fumbles.  The body responds to a lowering of the core body temperature by reducing the blood flow to the extremities, to keep the body core warm.  This causes a loss of fine motor skills, trouble zipping jackets, buckling gear, or holding objects, clumsiness, and slow reaction times.

·       Stumbles.  The lower blood flow to the limbs also leads to a loss of balance, missteps, stiff muscles, and trouble walking unaided.  The stumbles is often an early symptom of hypothermia, with the victim showing small signs, such as missteps and appearing off balance.

·       Mumbles.  Slow, thick, confused or incoherent speech, along with growing general confusion or sleepiness are a sign of the beginning of hypothermia.

·       Crumbles/Tumbles.  These symptoms are the final sign in the stage toward death by exposure.  The victim could display severe confusion, paradoxical undressing (taking off clothes while freezing), because the person is unable to understand the sensation of sudden “warming”, combativeness, irritability, collapse, unconsciousness, or cardiac failure.

 

So what do you think you should do?  Choice A, B, C or D?  Remember only one gets you all out alive!

   

 

What to Do about the Umbles

 

 

·       Seek shelter.  Look for a dry, sheltered, or area, out of the elements.  Find someplace out of the wind and weather.  Build a fire if possible.

·       Remove/replace wet clothing.  Gently take off wet layers and replace them with dry, warm clothes or blankets, if any are available.

·       Insulate and rewarm.  Cover the victim with wind- and waterproof layers, and place warm (but not hot) water bottles or heat packs in the armpits and groin.

·       Provide fuel.  If they are fully conscious and can swallow, offer warm, sugary drinks – no vasodilators, such as alcoholic or caffeinated liquids.

·       Call for help.  If possible, seek help immediately if body temperature is very low, confusion is severe, or the person becomes unresponsive.

 

So did you get the right answer?  I hope so.  In any case now you know and if you’re ever in this situation, now you’ll know what to do.

 

Don’t forget to come back next week and read another well researched and informative article on the outdoors.

 

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

 

I hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE.  Don’t forget to follow me on both The Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE, and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube.  If you have questions, as always, feel free to leave a comment on either site.  I announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.

 

That is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!

 

Sources

 

Air Force Survival School, Fairchild AFB; “Could You Survive”, Spokane Daily Chronicle Oct 25, 1977, page 17, https://books.google.com/books?id=ElZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=%22could+you+survive%22+september+october+november&article_id=6776,2056101&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj6qK-5obiXAxW8z_ACHQKaO5AQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=%22could%20you%20survive%22%20september%20october%20november&f=false

 

Mullenix, Todd; “Let’s Add Humble to the 5 ‘Umbles’ of Hypothermia”, January 23, 2023, [© 2026 NCOAE], https://ncoae.org/blog/lets-add-humble-to-the-5-umbles-of-hypothermia/, accessed October 17, 2026