More Winter Survival Tips

I have had a large response to my post on Winter survival tips. Right now I am living in a west coast rain forest, and forgot what the rest of the continent is going through. Sorry. I mean it. I have lived in the arctic and in the most inhospitable regions of the north. I know what you are going through.

Here are some things you have to remember to survive:

• Circulation and skin exposure are everything. When you are out in the cold, make sure to constantly touch your exposed skin. As soon as you feel any numbness, make sure you cover up that area.
• Keep the blood flowing in your feet and hands. Clench and relax your hands continuously. Curl and relax your toes. Wear loose boots. Keep moving.
• Yup, the old "survive naked under the cariboo skin" routine is true. But it is hard to find a good cariboo skin these days. The cariboo hairs have little air pockets which give excellent insulation. But if you are stranded, it is still good to share body warmth. So peel off, and put all your insulated clothing around you.
  
• Snow caves are good, but remember two things: make sure there is ventilation and make sure you create an inner ice wall. This means that you will ahve to have some support at first, unless you have the right kind of snow, and have excellent igloo building techniques. The easy way is to have a small dome tent in your emergency gear. ( you can get a hiker's version that is small and light). Use this as your support and then heap snow over it. Keep an opening for fresh air. Light a small flame and the ice will build up. Don't let things get too hot or you will be swimming! Snuggle in and enjoy the winter!

Winter Travel Car Survival Pack

Boy a lot has been happening around here. I have been meaning to get some posts out with some helpful hints. But then Mother Nature prempted all those posts.

Winter is here in the west. Even in the Rain Forest of Canada, Vancouver, we are covered in snow. Now for us it is just a pretty inconvenience, but on the prairies of North America it is a deadly menace.

This week, several people have died from exposure when they left their cars in search of help. This news prompted me to pass on some old tips. This stuff may sound elementary, but I challenge you to check your car and see if you are ready.

1. Make sure your antifreeze levels are ready for winter. Remember that the air that rushes through your radiator makes it seem MUCH colder than the outside temperature. Get a mechanic to check the freezing level of your coolant. If your radiator freezes up, your car will break down in a steaming mess. It is as simple as that.
2. Carry Winter Clothes and Boots. You don't have to wear them, just have them in the trunk of your car. Many people go from a warm garage toanother warm garage. But if an accident happens you are stuck out in the cold. Better to have something available to get into fast. Hypothermia and frostbite can happen in minutes.
3. Carry a heating source. In the old days ( am I really getting old?) we would carry a roll of toilet paper in a tobacco tin and a bottle of alcohol. The idea whas that you could make an alcohol heater by pouring the alcohol in the tin over the toilet paper. The toilet paper also comes in handy for runny noses and ummm other things ( you'll know when you are stranded!). Nowadays a sterno pot for heating and a few candles, & lighter will work fine. ( remember to leave a crack in your window open for ventilation) The toilet paper is still a good idea for the other things.
4. Carry essential tools for survival. A shovel and a tarp and a few energy bars are easy to have ready. A reflective vest makes it easy for people to see you and makes a good flag if your car is snowed under.

These things are easy to put together and will not take up a lot of room in the car. But Most important of all:

DO NOT LEAVE THE CAR.

Everyone who died this week left their car. The highways are patrolled regularly and crews will check stranded vehicles. A frozen body is harder to find. Think about it.

Colin