Real-World Story: The Night the Lights Went Out

GoBag.One™ | GoBag or Stay Home™

AARs aren’t stories; they’re lessons paid for in discomfort. This one cost 36 hours without heat in sub-freezing temps. No heroics—just systems tested under cold pressure. Here’s what happened, what worked, what failed, and what we changed.

Key Takeaways

Heat loss is the enemy: One sealed “warm room,” closed interior doors, and layered clothing buy hours of comfort.
Moisture control matters: Damp air feels colder; cook once, vent carefully, and dry gloves/socks on a safe line.
Fuel discipline wins: Batch hot drinks/meals; track canister burns and battery usage or you’ll run out early.

Main Points

Situation & Conditions
Arctic front, wind 15–25 mph, temps 10°F falling to 0°F. Power out mid-afternoon day one. Gas furnace disabled (no electricity for blower/controls). Water pressure fine; roads iced. ETA for restore unknown.

Actions

Warm room: Closed doors to a central room with south exposure. Hung a blanket over the hallway to cut convection. Laid a foam pad on the floor under a small throw rug to block cold seeping up.
Heat plan: No indoor combustion. We used body heat, layers, hot water bottles (boiled outside on a backpacking stove), and passive solar in the afternoon.
Lighting & comms: Headlamps on low/red. AM/FM/NOAA radio checks every 3–4 hours. Phones in airplane mode; one text update to family per check.
Food & water: Hot meal at dusk (single-burner stove outdoors, lid + windscreen). Thermos’d extra hot water for drinks. Low-moisture foods at night to reduce indoor humidity.
Sleep system: Base layer + hat + socks. Sleeping bags rated to 20°F over regular bedding. One mylar bivy as a footbox liner for the cold sleeper.

Outcomes
Room temp stabilized 52–56°F (outside 0–8°F). Everyone slept, no shivering. Condensation formed on the coldest window but stayed manageable with periodic venting. Fuel: two 230g canisters over 36 hours (measured boils + one pot meal). Battery draw: one headlamp set of AAAs, minimal phone drain.

What Worked

Zoned living: Focusing on one room amplified every BTU. Hallway blanket made a bigger difference than expected.
Headlamps & task lights: Low modes kept eyes happy and hands free. No candle hassle, no soot.
Thermos discipline: Batch boiling saved fuel and time. Hot water bottles bought 3–4 hours of bed warmth.
Layered sleep: Bag over blankets kept drafts down and warmth up. Hats at night were non-negotiable.

What Failed

Wet gloves roulette: One pair got damp doing exterior stove work; no good drying solution inside. Cold hands next morning.
Window leaks: One north window whistled. Tape + towel helped, but we should have sealed it before winter.
Fuel uncertainty: We didn’t have a clear “burns-per-canister” tally on the stove case. Guessing is not a plan.

Fixes Implemented

Dry line + clips: Paracord across the warm room with clothespins. Damp socks/gloves dry faster off the floor.
Storm kit: Pre-cut painter’s plastic and tape labeled by window; door draft snakes pre-staged.
Fuel math card: Sharpie on stove case—“X boils / canister @ 20°F, lid on, windscreen.” Recount each season.
Glove rotation: Two cheap liner pairs per adult. One on task, one drying. Mitt shells over liners for exterior burns.

Loadout Changes

Add: Extra hat per person, chemical hand warmers, compact foam sit pad, second thermos, window plastic kit.
Swap: Cotton lounge layers → synthetic/wool; single thin blanket → quilt + bag system.
Stage: Door kit (wedges, tape, glow tags) and blanket barrier hooks permanently by the hallway.

Pro Tips

Heat where you are: Sit pads and blankets beat trying to heat the whole room. Warm people, not air.
Moisture watchdog: If windows sweat, crack-vent 2–3 minutes after cooking; run lanterns on low, not high, to reduce heat at the ceiling.
Quiet calories: Hot, salty drinks and easy carbs stabilize mood and body temp. Keep the kettle cycling.
Night routine: Prep clothes, headlamps, and hot water before you get tired. Tired people make cold choices.

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After-Action Review: Winter Storm – 36 Hours Without Heat