I usually just apologize and the wife lets me come back inside

65 yr old Indigenous woman here. Lived in the woods in a tent for about 15 yrs. Knew how to insulate my tent with snow, had a few old cookie tins full of votive candles and bee's wax. Was able to get the temp in the tent around 60°. This turned the snow packed closest to the tent into ice which helped even more. Knowledge learned from my elders.

As a Marine, I went through the winter cold weather survival training program - the candle trick was never mentioned. But we did have a lot of wool blankets. I recently graduated from the Advanced Mountaineering class by the Colorado Mountain Club - the candle trick was never mentioned. I do however carry several Beeswax candles in my winter survival kit. I'd stay away from the Paraffin candles that black smoke you see is toxic - especially under a blanket!

Interesting, after watching the video I got curious and looked at the science behind this technique and apparently candles give off way more heat than I would have guessed. A single candle produces 80W of heat, a resting human male produces about 100W of heat. So that little candle is almost the equivalent of having an entire second person huddled under that blanket with you.

I was in cold weather training in the Marines. This technique was taught with one change. We dug around the tree and wrapped the tarp like a roof attached to the tree. It’s astonishing how warm a single candle makes. I slept like a baby .Update I looked through all my old Marine stuff and found the section. Called The TREE PIT SHELTER is another form of immediate shelter.

I'm 62 years old, and my grandfather taught me this trick when I was eight. You tell people that you can warm yourself up with a candle outside in the snow, 99% of the people won't believe you. Good video.

Handy trick to know. I'm a trucker and I have broke down in Wyoming. I used three candles in a coffee can to warm the truck sleeper.

We live in our van and use a similar technique. We light a three candle lantern. Crack a front window a bit, and use a USB fan to keep the ambient air reasonably warm. We also utilize wool blankets and good clothing. But in a smaller area it's a viable option to help stay warm. Put a couple space blankets in the windows, insulate yourself best as possible if you ever find yourself stranded in your vehicle. This type of technique can save your life. One safety rule, never forgot you are dealing with an open flame. Always respect that

I was homeless for 10 years and spent most of that time living in a tent in woodland. During cold periods I used to use tealight candles to warm my tent and I've no doubt it stopped me freezing to death.

When I was younger, I asked my dad if I could accompany him to help turn on the wind machines one cold, cold January night. If the temperature dipped too low, all the citrus in the groves froze, and had to go to juice rather than fresh fruit for eating. Farmers initially used "smudge pots" or even irrigation to try to save their crops from freez8ng. Wind machines tended to work better but took a lot of care and monitoring sometimes. My dad had been doing this for years and went out just about every winter. I always wanted to see what he had to do. Finally, I was old enough to go. That night, it froze, and as I sat in his truck at 2 am, I began to shake so hard my teeth were chattering, and I couldn't control my body functions. All I could think was that my dad was out there in the cold. I tried to move but couldn't. Suddenly, the door flew open and my dad jumped in. He grabbed his thermos and poured a hot cup of coffee and said, " Drink this. (The Coffee was bitter) Then, he started up the truck and turned on the heater. After awhile, I asked him how he could stand it? He laughed and said, " Yeah. Your mom's coffee is better. " I never had more respect and admiration for my hard- working father as that night I felt I almost froze my behind off trying to be tough like him. ❤ Stay warm any way you can, everyone. RIP Dad. ❤

I've been doing this in my bed since I was a kid, just without the candle, only using the warm air that leaves my nose/mouth under the blanket, especially now that I live in a apartment that gets cold af during winter due to no proper insulation. Never knew that it was a survival technique, lol.

25 years ago I was homeless and it was winter. I had a 1977 Dodge pickup with no heater. I had a large candle maybe 6 in tall by maybe 3 in wide or something like that. I would open the glove box light it and let it warm up the cab of the truck. would have a blanket and my dog. after it warmed up a little bit and it would just took some candle. I would blow it out and go to sleep. on a really cold nights I might have to do that two more times before morning. but it allowed me to survive relatively decently even on the coldest nights and that was heating up the whole truck cab. this method works very well. glad you brought it to the public attention. namaste

Watched your channel for 3 seconds. That’s all I needed. No fluff, no drama, no ego. This is a breath of fresh air.

Very cool tip. Thanks! As Yukon bushcrafter Dick Person used to say: "The more knowledge you carry in your head, the less gear you need to carry on your back."

I used to live in Alaska, so this is by far not my most dramatic experience with cold, but it supports the principle. We moved into our home in a tiny Maya village in the Yucatan while it was still under construction. Even completed, it's not built for cold weather, of course. But we had some nights down in the high 20's F and 4 silly little candles like the one in the video made our space liveable.

I always keep 3+ fleece blankets in my car, I have 3 children, my youngest 5yrs, I usually bring her a blanket when traveling so enough for each of us and a gal of fresh water. (Should be 1 gal per person when traveling). In cases of a breakdown, both are important (minus food- but most parents travel with snacks for their [young] kids). But now, I think candle sticks will be something I keep in my trunk with the blankets 💕

Gee, refreshing to hear the word 'trick' instead of 'hack' for once!

" i think they died when they were 40 something anyway." 😂😂😂 I love this guy!

Thank you. Knowledge like that gives you an instant sub. The Reindeer herders in Siberia do the same thing. The only difference is their in Siberia, and they use two plastic sheets a few feet apart to trap the air, and this set up they use under their Teepee type tents. They also weave a ball, a large ball, of reeds together when sudden blizzards happen, and just using body heat from two people survive inside of it. Good to know.

I have an Alaskan buddy who told me they were also taught to use a snow drift to make a small igloo and poke a small hole in the top with a stick and use this same technique. He Said itd get +40 or 50 but when it was -30 outside it was the difference between freezing to death and living. Apparently this was because out in the bush if your snow machine broke down you were a dead man. (No cell phones back then). Awesome video man

This is a great idea. I do long distance truck driving, and carry an emergency candle in my work bag in the winter. If I break down in the winter and can't get heat from the engine while I am waiting for a rescue, a single candle will heat up my vehicle even in single digit temperatures, at least enough to keep me from freezing. I bought emergency cadles from Amazon. They come in a can, long lasting and toxin free. Just one of those things that you never need, til you really need it.

To avoid the fumes from a candle made with petroleum products, use one made from beeswax.

I've done this at home a lot. Most seem to know it, they just don't realize how much it actually does. Not only can it be game changing, but life changing as well

It’s middle of winter it might be a little more difficult to find them than if it was Fall, but being in the woods…tuck your shirt and jacket into your pants waistband then stuff tree leaves in between the layerings of your shirt and jacket. The leaves will insulate like crazy and keep your core temperature properly warm where it needs to be. Old and gritty survival technique but extremely effective

two of us got soaked on top of the Unita mountains once. After the rain passed, we sat down on a boulder facing each other and pulled a poncho liner around our shoulders forming a tent with both of us inside; except our heads where outside at the top. We put the heat in the middle. In a matter of minutes, steam from our wet clothing was pouring out. Saved us from a cold miserable situation.

Dan, I did this for three years, on six to eight week deployments of training areas in Germany, back in the 1970’s. Temperatures below zero Fahrenheit, snow one to three feet deep, I’d squat, back against a tree, on my heels. With my poncho over my head, I’d light a little can of Sterno between my feet. When I felt sleepy I’d slip the lid on, fire out and sleep for 30 - 40 minutes. It worked fine. I’d wake up, go check security, radios, the men, and go back for another sleep. It’s not great; but, it’ll get you through a few weeks and you don’t have to have a sleeping bag. Texas

a good tip and trick to survival. Overall, ALWAYS be prepared when living or going to any place that would kill you if you were stranded outside.

All of you service men and women in here, thank you for all you've done for us.

Nicely done. This technique was taught to us in USAF SERE school in the 90s. Very simple but effective way to warm up without giving away your position.

Just told my son to keep a couple of candles in his truck. He's a hiker and sno-boarder and loves being outside in New England winters. This could be a lifesaver. Also suggested he subscribe to Coalcracker Bushcraft. Thanks.

I would add: Wool blankets are fairly fire resistant, others may not be. Used poncho and liner in NWTC, Ft Greely AK. Also, A small clay pot ot ceramic housing for the candle gives you some thermal mass and seems to work better

I love the videos on UKposts which make people talk about their life and experiences. I enjoy hearing about peoples history

Left out one thing. Once the space has warmed up open up your outer layers. That way you can warm your core faster with the warm air in the blanket rather than having your clothing layers warm up first before it gets to your core. Little trick I learned in my Canadian army days camping out in -40 weather.

I've heard a lot of people carry a candle in their cars/vans in Alaska just in case they get stuck in the snow for the same reason. You just light the candle and depending on the size of a candle it should last a few hours and keep the inside of the car above freezing.

Thanks for sharing! I once met a backpacker who used this candle technique (in a lantern) to warm his tent up when we were winter camping. Be a useful thing to carry. 👍

Tip: Take a Heater with you. It warms you up I think👍

I am now keeping a slow burning candle in my pack with me on all my winter adventures. Awesome tip man

I used this method in the Danish army back in the 90's, also to dry out my uniform a bit. There is a better way to do it. Sit on a tree stump, your helmet, log or what not. Use a poncho instead of a blanket, or use the tarp on top of the blanket. I would say a wool blanket will let a lot of pass through it. Anyway, tie the cord for the hood around your neck (not too tight LOL), place the lit candle on the ground and keep the poncho closed. Open the poncho now and then in order to let the steam from your clothes out. Works in moderately cold weather. This will not warm your feet though.

I love this. I was a member of the homeless veterans global brotherhood for 6 months recently and would have loved to have known to put this idea to use. I thank you so much - it means a lot!

My grandfather did stuff like this during the war and also smoked like a chimney for his whole life too. Lived to be 95.

As a teen, we were out in a snow cave. My friend woke my up in the middle of the night shivering and getting close to hypothermia. I lit two tea candles and after just a couple minutes, all of us were warm and safe. Candles are great to have along for any kit or trip.

Finnish tip, make a temporary shelter and use pine tree branches to keep your bottom dry. Top of the shelter branches with snow. You can keep warm at any temperature and sleep in if you have a fire. Summer version is to use moss as toppings instead of snow, and you can sleep in it down to -1 degree Celsius.

No doubt numerous ways to do this. I would have cleared snow and exposed the ground. The ground should be warmer than the snow and less wet as the snow melts. Throw down some pine boughs or branches and sit on those. If it was windy, I would have also built snow walls or a snow shelter to help block the wind. I worked on a 1942 WWII MIA case on the Greenland ice cap. Several planes went down in a short period of time. One of the aircrew survived the winter up there. One group of people working their way back to a station had to dig out a snow "hotel" to get out of what is called a piteraq (strong blizzard). This hotel had numerous rooms and tunnels and even a space for some sled dogs. It worked and these guys made it back to the station. There is a book written about this saga.

That is surprising how well it works! I’m astonished that one candle could produce that much of a difference.

Done that with a poncho, put candle (tea light) inside metal cup to reduce chance of flame touching poncho. Works really well

Just came across this vid. I used to do something similar to this back when I was a kid. I lived out in the deep woods. During the year I would have a few lean tos placed around in various locations across the acres. In winter time you would have to know right where they were under the snow. Them me and my brothers would sneak candles in each one and when we got too cold we would hop in and chill for about 20 min and warm up easy. At one point my mom said she did not understand how we could be out in the cold for hours and yet whenever she checked us out we were toasty. Good times. Great video.

That's how my ancestors kept warm! Great trick to know...👍🏻

It's good to have candles about even when you are not in the woods. Put several together 3-4 of the 8hr tealight variety on a plate between a couple of bricks. Next place three flowerpots bolted together with plenty of metal between the pots on a long bolt and you have a space heater for any down situation. Terracotta pots hold a lot of heat that transfers from the metal into them. This heat then radiates out and will keep a 12x12 room at a survivable temperature. You can ramp up the number of candles to nine to boil water for hot drinks, cook your bacon and eggs or other simple foods to be heated such as baked beans and soup over them if needed. Did this for five days one winter when the electricity was out for five days in Wales. Safety note: If you have children or animals make sure to protect the area where you set this up so they cannot touch the pots as they do get very hot. Didn't have a thermometer so not able to say how hot. Surfice to say hot enough to give you very nasty burns. Also protects from accidental knocking over and setting your home on fire.

Thanks for mentioning NESSMUK (George Washington Sears). He was an Adirondack guide and conservationist in the late 1800's who wrote the book: "Woodcraft and Camping" that gives his tips on hunting, fishing, camping and survival techniques. My late father was a big fan of Nessmuk and introduced me to his book decades ago. I highly recommend his book for anyone who spends time in the woods.

I'm doing this right now in my living room! Seriously the power has been out, I'm using lots of the little tricks my grandpappy taught me.

Wow wow! It's rare when I add a new skill to my survival list. Great job thank you.

When I was about 15 or so, I was stuck out in this tiny little town (Short Creek/Shopville KY) in December or January or so with nowhere to go and the temperature was well below freezing. I had a jacket that was far from a winter coat. I found this little church on Short Creek Rd. that had a partly underground basement and concrete steps going down to the basement door to block the wind and I pulled my arms and head inside my shirt and struck my lighter inside my shirt every so often. I wasn't comfortable, but I also didn't freeze to death.

I used that method once. I was so tired and fell asleep. The candle lit the blanket on fire. Wasn’t that bad even though. Another thing I use is dried sap from a pine tree. If you don’t have a candle and you’re near pine trees look for dried sap on the trunk of the tree. Clump it and liqht it up...burns just like a candle...good fire starter too..🎚🇺🇸🇺🇸🎚🎚🇺🇸😎

I was taught that by my grandpa when I was a kid. But honestly, I forgot all about it until you kick started my memory. Thank you. Nice to be reminded of knowledge forgotten in age.

Keeping Warm. Very simple lesson.

You're awesome dude!! Thanks for the enlightenment especially if it's an emergency and someone is stranded out in the cold because that shit would work in the car too if broken down at the side of the road. Love you dude and keep warm!!!

There is an old trick that saved my life once with an old army great coat. Boots off, feet down the arm holes, boots back on and flip the coat over you. I woke up with several inches of snow over me but I'm typing this now. People with four walls and a roof don't really appreciate it until it's gone.

When I lived in the canadians rockies, we always had blankets and candles in our cars for exactly that purpose. When we got snowed in on the road we would do this when gas was too low.

Nobody can hold a candle to you! Keep up the great work!

Thank you for your service! 💖

I spent a night in Northern VT like this. Got lost going from 1 camp to another. Didn't want to walk at night and chance getting more turned around. My dad always taught me to be ready to sleep where I am just encase. It saved my life

I’ve been living outside in northern Maine for the last nine months or so. My main thing is eat a high calorie meal right before bed. It really stokes your metabolism especially on nights when the weather is too cruddy for a fire. Quick materials observation, a beeswax candle burns hotter than a paraffin one, and the smoke is cleaner. Too, a wool blanket is the best choice since wool is flame resistant as well as warm even when damp.

Thank you for this. Basic, easy to follow survival instructions.

This works. I used a small closed cell foam pad to sit on, and a space blanket which reflects lots of heat. Perfectly comfortable in light fleece jacket in -9 degrees weather. Hello Colorado!

We used to do this, but under a US poncho in the army in the 80's during the cold war

I read somewhere that Simon Kenton, a frontier contemporary of Daniel Boone, used this same system to stay warm and undetected while exploring alone in the Ohio and Kentucky areas. Instead of a candle, he would dig a hole in the ground, build a small fire that could be fed with tree bark, sit with the fire between his legs and pull a blanket over top of himself. For Simon, it was a way to stay warm and reduce the chance of being found by Indians.

Great life saving technique. Thank you. I am sharing this with all my friends who are outdoor enthusiasts

Natural wool is an amazing insulator. Everyone should have their own 100% wool blanket. Keeps you warm in cold conditions and cool in heat.

I went through the Arctic Survival Course in the Air Force years ago in Alaska and this like a lot of other techniques are very effective even down to 60 below zero F. You can make or buy a small enclosed lantern that uses the large candles and decrease the likelihood of flame against your clothes or blanket and if you don't like the smell of the candle or the possibility of CO inhalation you can tuck the blanket around your face and allow a small passageway to breathe through to the outside air. Lots of options and very effective to survive in seriously cold environments.

When I was young we made snowcastles and put candles in the walls. Outside temperature was between -10 to -20'C and it was actually quite comfy inside the castle with few candles. We usually put some spruce branches in front of the "frontdoor" to get some wind coverage.

Wow. Something so simple to get you warmer.

I don’t know how I never thought of it, but this video saved me in the several below zero days lately! Thank you!

I get more smoke in my lungs when the wind changes on the campfire.

We always used a candle or two when in Norway doing Arctic Training, in snow holes and in our tent sheets, amazing how much of a difference it makes.

Aware of this for 50 years now. Never had a need yet. About 1980 I observed a group of hitchhikers next to a freeway onramp in the rain. One of them was under a clear plastic sheet with a candle.

I’m a city boy. But I enjoy all of your videos never know when I might need them. Thank you

I've been binge watching your channel for 3 weeks now and I've got to say, you are the best teacher on UKposts by far. Since watching your channel, I have now made myself a haversack for when I go scouting and I also made myself a canvas tarp with tie outs. Im currently waiting for my red iron oxide to show up in the mail so I can start oil painting my tarp. Your a great guy with great content. Thank you and please keep it up

Now THERE’S something I - as a hopeless city type - can actually USE ! Thank you

Thank you so much. I tried this in my bedroom just as a test and holy crap it absolutely works great! I would definitely be using this trick in an apocalyptic world of course I hope it never comes to that but thank you thank you such a simple yet smart idea that I didn’t even have in my realm of thinking. Amazing technique.

Grown up at a humid tropical country moved to a colder environment this is a useful trick to learn if I ever end up outside.

Bears be like, “ooh...Tortino’s pizza roll.”

Put two tealights in an Altoids can. The lid can be made to stand perpendicular to the bottom by jamming a large gem clip into the hinge. Use a few drops of wax to fasten the candles into the can. The can will warm you and can be used as a light because the lid acts as a reflector. Use with a Heatsheet Emergency blanket over and around you so that your face is exposed. Good video. Good Luck, Rick

Thanks Cody

I love how everyone is so helpful and informative in this comment section

This makes very good sense. I don't have heat for overnight and have found that when I go to bed I can simply pull the covers over my head, breathe deeply (not too quickly)and be warm in minutes.

Here's how us old timers really used to beat the cold . "Hello, travel agent? Book me a flight to Miami now!!".!!!

A couple of questions on the candle survival heat source: 1) how far did the candle burn down while bringing the temp. up? 2) Do you believe this candle warmer hack would be effective in a two person tent?

Five minute long video for something that can be explained in one sentence... Amazing just amazing.

👏🏻 I learned about this trick a while ago, but try to do it with a silver emergency blanket, you will warm up extremely fast even in Alaskan type temperatures.

Learned this in Army ECW school. When you start getting cold this is a life saver..... literally. Love the cold

Wow my dad taught us girls this trick growing up. he made sure his 5 daughters could survive out in below freezing could hunt our own food and what plants insects ect we could use amazing how one simple thing could save your life YOU GOT YOURSELF A NEW SUBSCRIBER THANKS MAN WILL WATCH ALOT MORE

Thank you soooo MUCH for teaching me this survive trick!!!

This presentation appears to be for 3 kinds of men and women whom lived under these frigid temperatures and survived. The current and ex-military, those who live and hunt on the frontier, and the homeless communities. Thumbs Up for this no-frills remedy to survive the cold weather!

Lol omg I was born and raised here in Alaska and I’ve never used that trick. Nice to know! I once got swept off my four wheeler while crossing the matsu river, I barely made it out but I lost my transportation and my supplies so I had a 8-10 hour hike to get back. I knew Immediately I wasn’t going to make it back by nightfall I only had about 3 hours left of sunlight left so I decided to make a fire. My wet clothes were already starting to freeze so I had to take them off. I needed to get warm and dry off my clothes, using a method my Native American uncle taught me, I used the very ice from the river to create fire. I had to find the clearest ice, mold it into a lens, use the lens as my magnifying glass to focus the sunlight and started the fire. I managed to dry my clothes and gather more brush before it got dark and a few other riders found me that night, they said the spotted the fire from a mile away. Thank god they could see my fire!

So this guy made a video to explain blankets keep warm lmao Great tip! What a great time to be alive...

Wow, Thank you! This idea can make a heck of a difference! 👍👍

I actually used this to save my life and my brothers life, when we were about 16. He's my stepbrother. We would have frozen to death, for sure, being lost trying to find our camp, in backwoods Vermont, during hunting season. We made it until light, and made it to the camp a couple hours later. My brother was impressed with my survival skills.

When I served in the Canadian military every Arctic survival kit had a red arctic candle in them. I currently carry 2 in my truck. I’ve. Used the candle and blanket method plenty.

This is amazing. Who would think 1 candle light could make such a difference!

The Man was right, always take some kind of fire with you when you go out camping in the winter, any type of heat will help you survive when it comes down to life or death. Always prepare yourself for the worst 💯