Common Misconceptions: 

1. Blowing on your fingers will help warm them. Never blow on your fingers because the moisture might help you warm temporarily, but afterwards you are in danger of your fingers re-freezing or freezing. Placing your fingers in your armpits or groin areas is much more helpful.

2. Drinking alcohol will help you stay warm. Drinking alcohol will make you lose heat and will make you think unclearly. Also the heat obtained from alcohol is impermanent.

3. Eat snow to stave off thirst. It takes more calories just to melt the ice than you receive.

4. Snow is always safe to drink. Snow can be contaminated.

5. Bundle up or you’ll catch a cold. This is once again a misconception. Although people have been more prone to catch colds in chilly conditions, it is very unlikely to catch a cold if someone else does not transmit the virus to you. In fact, you are more likely to survive a plane crash than to catch a cold from the weather.