SNOW & COLD WEATHER
Proven by 1,000+ Homeless Agencies
Backpack Beds SAVE LIVES
The Backpack Bed is a lightweight emergency bed that keeps people without shelter alive. At least 20 homeless people die every day across the USA - these deaths are avoidable (source: homelessdeathscount.org).
3rd Party Field Test
Backpack Bed in Snow at 0 F with -20 F Wind Chill
| Duration: 1 Hour | Adult: Male | Clothing: Jeans, shirt, 2 x pullovers, gloves, hat, thermal socks. |
|
Temperature measurements (after 1 hour): -8.8F Concrete slab / snow surface 25.4F Mattress inside Backpack Bed (not directly under body) 61.3F Mattress inside Backpack Bed (under body) |
||
| Findings: After 1 hour it was “70 degrees F warmer underneath me than the ground itself". | ||
Field test undertaken by Winter Warmth Mission in Cleveland Ohio (originally published on Facebook).
How heat is lost or retained
How the body looses heat
- Radiation Loss
-
- Loss of heat to surrounding air.
- Main type of body heat loss.
- Convection
- Loss of heat to cold air or wind.
- Conduction
- Loss of heat to objects in direct contact with the body (example. cold ground)
- Wet clothing and bedding increases conduction loss.
- Evaporation
- Loss of heat via loss of moisture from skin and lungs.
- Wet clothing and bedding increases evaporation loss.
How the Backpack Bed traps heat
- Radiation Trapped
- Radiant body heat is trapped inside the Backpack Bed creating an insulation layer of warm air.
- Convection
- Once the air inside the Backpack Bed is warmed convection loss is stopped / reduced.
- Conduction
- The Backpack Bed's insulated mattress traps lost heat and reflects it back into the body.
- Bedding and clothing are kept dry inside.
- Evaporation
- 3 ventilation points enable airflow.
*** WARNING: graphic medical image below.
Avoidable cold weather injuries
The Backpack Bed stops avoidable injuries from hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot - that can lead to severe medical issues and death.
14% of American unsheltered homeless people have suffered hypothermia, frostbite or trenchfoot (S2H 2011).
Frostbite
Affected skin and tissue go numb so people cannot feel the frostbite occurring. Frostbite is a type of burn that occurs once the tissue and skin freezes.
It’s most likely to strike fingers, toes or the face (ears, cheeks, chin, nose). Exposure can lead to severe tissue damage, the worst cases need amputation.
When amputation occurs this can lead to further complications, infections and even death - especially if the person remains unsheltered.
Image: Unsheltered homeless person with severe frostbite that required amputations.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is dangerous drop in body temperature caused by exposure to cold temperatures. This is more likely to happen in winter. People are also at risk of hypothermia if they are unprepared for a sudden drop in temperature or are wet for a prolonged period.
Average body temperature: 98.6 F / 37 C.
Hypothermia body temperature: drops below 95 F / 35 C.
Severe hypothermia:body temperature: drop to 89.6 F / 32 C or lower.
Trenchfoot
Trench foot is a condition that can occur when feet are cold and wet for a long period of time. It often happens due to wearing wet socks and shoes for days at a time. Prolonged exposure to damp, cold and unsanitary conditions can lead to the disease.
Unsheltered people often don't have a change of shoes or socks.
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