Find shelter immediately in cabins, community halls or caves - vehicles work as last resort. Equip all clothing layers focusing on head and hands, then locate matches and tinder for fire. While fire burns, melt snow using recycled containers for safe drinking water and avoid eating raw snow at all costs.

Look for non-perishable food in buildings first, or gather cattails near marshes if desperate. Sleep strategically in 2-3 hour blocks to monitor conditions, always checking the "feels like" temperature before resting. Keep fire maintained when possible and store any meat away from your immediate area to avoid attracting predators.

Tip: stay aware of wind direction as it dramatically affects temperature, and conserve energy by walking instead of running. Using train tracks or rivers helps maintain orientation while searching for better shelter. Torches serve dual purpose as light source and backup fire starter when matches run low.