In almost all circumstances, your best bet for being found is to stay by your vehicle. Travel in wilderness areas, unless you are experienced, is fraught with hazards and danger. Don't travel unless you are absolutely positive about where you are going. Even if you saw a road or cabin just over the ridge on your way by, don't try to walk out unless you are sure you know how to get there, finding your way through possibly inhospitable terrain, and that your physical condition and equipment is good enough to ensure you can make it. Experience tells us that the odds are against you. Generally, the only reason to travel is if rescue is virtually inconceivable and unlikely and you have absolutely no other alternatives.
Here are some ideas or watchout situations that you need to prepare to deal with:
Everyone should be cautious about traveling in extreme winter or summer weather. Don't do it if at all possible.
High heat, cold, snow and ice are demanding on cars, drivers and passengers.
Heat and cold affects metal, rubber and other materials in your car.
Heat and cold can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle’s battery by at least 50 percent.
Severe cold can freeze tires and keep them flat on the bottom for at least the first half-mile of travel. It can thicken your car’s lubricants, making the engine work too hard.
Plan Before You Travel!
- Be Aware of the Weather
- Listen to forecasts, road reports and storm warnings.
- Dress appropriately. Pack extra STUFF!
- Allow extra time for trips in severe weather.
- Simple planning can save you trouble and even save your life.
- Be sure your vehicle is in good winter and summer driving condition.
- Take along the emergency equipment referred to later.
- Keep your gas tank at least one-half full.
- Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take. Report your safe arrival.
- If you stall or get stuck, tie a colored banner (from your survival kit) to your antenna or hang it out a window.
- At night, remove the cover from your dome light and turn the light on.
- Road crews or rescue units can see a small glow at a considerable distance.
- To reduce battery drain, use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles. Keep one person on watch; don’t let everyone rest at the same time.
Stay with Your Vehicle
- Walking in a winter storm can be very dangerous.
- Summer time temperatures can be very dangerous.
- You might lose your way or become exhausted, collapse and risk your life.
- Your vehicle is a good shelter-ONLY IF YOU ARE PREPARED.
- Shoveling snow or repositioning your car by pushing it takes a lot of effort in storm conditions.
- You could risk heart attack or injury. Take it easy!
- Keep Cool — Two Ways
- Calm down and think. The storm will end and you will be found.
- Don’t work enough to get hot and sweaty.
- Wet clothing loses insulation value, making you susceptible to Hypothermia.
- It’s much better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Crack an opening.
- Wet or wind-driven snow can plug your vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your vehicle.
- Don’t run the engine unless you are sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow.
- Keep snow off the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating.
- Keep your blood circulating freely by loosening tight clothing, changing positions frequently and moving your arms and legs.
- Huddle close to one another.
- Rub your hands together or put them in your armpits or between your legs. Keep moving those fingers and toes.
- Remove your shoes occasionally and move and rub your feet.
- Most importantly, extreme winter and summer weather can threaten your life.
Making a Driving Survival Kit
Use an empty three-pound coffee can or any similar container with a plastic cover to store the following items: coffee can, tins, paint can with lid works well .
Small candles and matches
Small, sharp knife and plastic spoons
Red bandanna or cloth
Pencil and paper
Large plastic garbage bag
Safety pins
Whistle
Snacks
Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter
Plastic flashlight and spare batteries
Reverse batteries in the flashlight to avoid accidental switching and burnout. Warm batteries before using them.
Store safety items in the passenger compartment when severe winter weather threatens in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut. Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.
Suggested food items:
Raisins in small packets
Semi-sweet chocolate in pieces for sharing
Miniature candy bars
Chewing gum
Wrapped hard candies
Food bars
Canned soup, meat and poultry
Store bulky and heavy items in an
accessible place:
30-foot cord to use as homing line when you must exit the vehicle
Booster cables
Basic tools
Sand, cat litter or other grit in a plastic milk carton
Shovel
Tow cable, chain or straps
Sleeping bag or blankets
Road flares and reflectors
Snowmobile suit and heavy boots
