"The following is a reprint of an article I published on the Internet about surviving a winter storm while traveling and what you need to know to increase your chances of survival and being rescued."
Anyone, and I mean Everyone who travels in wintry conditions need to take a few steps to insure their survival if stranded.
I will introduce you to a very interesting GPS Tracker called " Spot Satellite Messenger " that will inform others of your exact whereabouts via email or text message, send a distress 911 call for help and notify the proper authorities automatically wherever you are (even where your cell phone won't work) but first read the full story.
Think about how many people travel alone during school breaks, sales calls, camping, fishing, hiking etc.
Surviving Winter Storms:
Traveling in Winter poses its own special set of dangers. The weather can change in an instant. Be alert and pay special attention to changing conditions. Here are some items you need to carry with you even on a short trip to the store. Don't assume that you'll be back in a few minutes.
If the weather presents a challenge before you venture out, notify someone as to your travel plans, route, destination and estimated time it will take. If you have no one to notify, leave a note at the place you left from. If something happens to you along the way, at least authorities will have a better understanding of why you were out and where you were going.
Items you need to make sure are in your vehicle before traveling:
- Always keep spare warm clothes and a blanket in the car. Don't forget waterproof gloves. Once your hands and feet get cold and wet, it's hard to perform needed tasks like shoveling yourself out.
- You've heard it before. Full tank of gas, Flashlight, batteries and flares.
- A candle and lighter or better yet, waterproof matches. A candle may be enough for you to keep warm until help arrives if you run out of gas in the car.
- Carry a Wind-Up portable Flashlight/Radio. Never needs batteries. This is a MUST HAVE in any car! Very affordable and always ready. Some even come with an emergency strobe light.
- The very "Techy" may want a Solar Powered cell phone charger unit.
- Carry a shovel. Any size any color. You'll wish you did!
- Pack a few Glow Sticks. I'll tell you why later.
- Keep a mirror (or use rear view mirror) for signaling
- Packaged hand warmers
Important Safety Reminders:
Don't run the engine constantly.
It produces deadly carbon monoxide fumes that can kill you. Crack a window open opposite the exhaust pipe to allow fresh air in.
Same goes for the candle. An open flame consumes oxygen and if you fall asleep may cause a fire.
If you ever get stranded:
Make sure you vehicle is visible from the street. In a snow storm, emergency crews can have a difficult time identifying a car as being occupied if they can see it at all. Keep the snow off the windows and use your emergency flashers. Headlights consume too much battery power if your engine is not running.
- If you attempt to leave your car and seek help, leave a note in the car of which direction you're headed and at what time you left. A destination is useful to authorities who may be looking for you. They can check there first to see that you made it or are missing.
- If you will be in the same location for an extended period, use whatever is available to you such as rocks, branches, fencing or whatever you can get your hands on to make the universal help sign large enough for people to see. Spell out 911 any way you can!
- Have an emergency plan with your family or friends before you need to use one. One item you may wish to discuss is cell phone use. Chances are you don't carry a spare battery. If you use a car charger it is only useful if the car battery still has power in it.
- Keep the phone warm. Place it inside your jacket near your body heat if you venture outside.
- If you have made contact with someone and it will be a while until they can get to you, discuss the option of calling them every half hour or "On the Hour" to conserve battery life.
- Have a few snacks in the car that won't freeze and will give you needed energy. Granola bars and Chocolate bars are great stand-buys.
- Any bottled water in the car will probably be frozen when you go to drink it. Try melting snow in a metal container (camping cup or dish) on the warm engine or heat duct. Hint: If the car isn't running to melt the snow to drink, remember the candle I told you to have on hand?
- Glow sticks and their florescent colors are a great contrast against the white snowy back-round. Tape or use your shoe lace to hold the Glow Stick to the highest point of your car that can be seen from any angle, especially above. Even if someone is not looking for you and they spot an orange glow stick on a car antenna off the side of the road, I'll bet they stop to investigate.
- If you attempt to walk to shelter or safety, take a glow stick and secure it to your coat. It will be easier to spot you.
When you are confronted with the fact that you are stranded and in trouble you need to make VERY SERIOUS LIFE SAVING DECISIONS.
First, always assume that no one knows you're out there.
Conserve everything that you have with you. Make it last. Keep warm and make rational decisions. Estimate if necessary, how long it will be until daylight and determine if staying put is your best option. Ask yourself these questions:
- Have I got enough fuel to wait it out?
- Is food and water a problem?
- How long until someone discovers me overdue?
- Am I or a passenger hurt and in need medical attention?
- Do I have the ability to contact someone and stay in contact?
- Have I done everything possible to make sure someone sees me?
- Am I out of immediate danger or do I need to move somewhere safe?
Above all else keep calm.
Most situations turn out with bad results that started with bad decisions. Almost all Emergency situations are Dynamic in nature. They constantly evolve and change. You should re-evaluate your situation to make sure you are on track for a successful outcome.
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These winter survival tips are my opinion only. There are many ways to survive winter emergencies. I have compiled these and offered them to you based on my knowledge of emergency rescue over the past 30 years. When faced with a Life-Threatening situation, you must do what you feel is the right thing to do in your situation based on your surroundings.
We hear of survival stories all the time. I would love to hear about yours! If you have an interesting story that you would like to share please leave your comments here.