If you've followed Survival of the Fittest, you know how to dress for cold weather and how to set up a camp that can protect you in a winter storm. But pay attention: hypothermia, a gradual cooling of your body, can kill. Know the symptoms, how to avoid it and what to do if someone in your group develops it.

The early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, pale or blue-gray skin, and what the Mayo clinic staff call the "-umbles:" stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. The grumbling may appear as indifference to what's going on, and the mumbling can also appear as slurred speech. Difficulties with movement and balance are the stumbling part, and can also appear when numbed fingers fumble with tasks like pulling up a zipper. Later symptoms include confusion, slowing of breathing and pulse, muscle stiffness, extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness.

Most people assume that hypothermia occurs only when the temperatures are below freezing. That's a myth. If the weather is cool and cloudy, and you get soaked with rain and don't get into dry clothes and a warm place, you can get hypothermia. Cold water is another common cause of hypothermia. Depending on the temperature of the water, it can take several hours or just minutes of exposure to develop hypothermia.

Preventive measures include layering your clothing; wear a thin pair of gloves inside your regular gloves and double up your socks. Keep your head and ears covered with a hat or headband. Avoid too much exertion; evaporating sweat can make you much colder. If you swim in a mountain lake, make sure it's not too cold and don't stay in too long.

If someone is wet or cold and showing signs of hypothermia, get them back to camp immediately. Strip all the wet clothing and leave it outside the tent. Dress them in warm, dry clothing or wrap them in a sleeping bag, and warm their feet with dry wool socks or primaloft or down booties. Heat stones in a campfire, wrap them in fabric, and bring them inside to help warm the cold person. Provide plenty of hot liquids to warm the victim from the inside. Get the victim of hypothermia out of the cold and back to a better shelter, and apply medical care if needed, as quickly as possible.

Enjoy winter sports and mountain lakes, but make sure you can survive hypothermia.

(Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/DS00333 , http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/hypothermia-and-cold-temperature-exposure-topic-overview, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/HQ01681 )

Outdoor enthusiasts aren't the only ones in need of a disaster preparedness survival kit. Driving across wintery terrain in a car, truck, SUV or snowmobile may lead you to hazardous road conditions that leave you stranded for several hours. When you're battling those icy roads and brutal winter temperatures this season, make sure your car or vehicle is well stocked with some basic survival gear:

Medical Supplies
If you survive an accident or have a last-minute emergency to manage, a first aid kit can hold you over until you can find some professional help. Pack a simple first aid kit supply bag in the backseat of the car or vehicle for easy access in case of an emergency.

Food Supply
Being stranded on icy roads may mean you go without food for several hours. Being hungry can reduce the ability to make sound decisions and make it hard to stay focused and warm. Make sure you have at least one thermos or flask filled with hot soup or foodstuffs so you can feed your brain and body in the case of an emergency.

Blanket or Sleeping Bag
If you're stuck without heat for several hours, you have to find a way to stay warm. A thermal blanket or sleeping bag will keep those toes and hands plenty warm when temperatures drop, so you'll need to drape yourself in a warm covering until help arrives at the scene. Just roll this up and throw it in the backseat or trunk; this is just as important for a camping trip as it is for a long road trip across snowy terrain!

Water
Fill up a water flask with water that won't freeze on you during your excursion. You'll need an ample supply of water to stay well hydrated for several hours on the road, so plan to store at least 1-2 gallons of water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.

Light Source
Headlamps and flashlights can help you navigate your path if you get a flat tire or find yourself in unknown territory. Just pack some light gear with fully charged batteries before you hit the road as an extra safety measure.

If you're venturing into Canada to discover the beauty and majesty of Yukon territory, days of trekking and camping may be part of the trip's itinerary. The Yukon territories are brimming with adventure, which make them an ideal place to take in the wilderness and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

You'll find dozens of hiking and backpacking treks around the Yukon trails, and some even have relics from the Klondike Gold Rush. No matter how much backcountry experience you have, you'll need to pack for survival as you trek through the valleys and mountains. Stock up on these survival basics to get you through Yukon territory:

Compass - make the most of your adventure and stick to the trails with a compass. This simple tool will keep you on the right track day or night and save you from losing focus on the trek.

Weather navigator - while the temperatures and climate remain fairly steady throughout the seasons in Yukon territory, you may encounter storms and inclement weather. Keep track of the weather with the Brunton Nomad V2 Pro; it features a built-in barometer and also gives direction readings when it becomes impossible to see the trail ahead of you.

Handheld lantern - you'll need a lantern to guide the way when the sun disappears from view, and the Black Diamond Apollo Lantern will help you stay on course. Pick up some rechargeable batteries and an extra battery pack for longer trips.

Medical kit - treat those scrapes and bruises with bandages and antibacterial spray to avoid infection. You're likely to get a few scars and bruises on your trip, so pack the Ultralight Adventure Medical Kit to manage any trauma or wounds on the trip. The kit also includes a splinter picker, antihistamine and a complete wound irrigation system - a must for those long days trekking through the forests and caves.

*Sleeping bag*s - when you're settling in for an overnight stay in the Yukon, stay warm and toasty with an insulated sleeping bag. Temperatures can drop below freezing each night during the Fall and Winter season, so you'll need a durable and well insulated bag to keep you warm. ThePhantom sleeping bags are one of several baffle-construction bags that will let you snooze in comfort.