Surviving bad weather tips

[Big Al]

Whilst this severe weather is still with us it could be prudent and sensible to become aware of some basic survival tips in case you break down or get stranded in these cold situations.


What to take with you in a veichle.

By all means this is not an exhaustive list and also not in any particular order so please feel free to add or subtract from the list if you want but if you are in a vehicle then this list forma a basic kit that I carry in my car at all times.

It is also wise to

KNOW HOW TO USE THE ITEMS.


A change of clothes including headgear, socks and gloves. Not only to use if you are wet but also it is easier to keep warm with your clothes in a layered pattern rather than one thick item because thin-layered items keep air trapped between the layers and this keeps you warmer.
A supply of fresh drinking water. Stands to reason you will become dehydrated if you don't drink but a nice warm cup of tea makes you feel better. This is also a good barter tool. It cost next to nothing to have a 2lt plastic bottle in your bag or box kept in the boot.
A heat source. A small hexi burner or gel stove will cost about £5 but will save your life by giving you a heat source to boil water and warm up some food. You can of course go further and buy a storm kettle but for emergency a small hexi burner will suffice.


Waterproof matches and / or a fire steel /fire flint and striker. Speaks for themselves really but worth mentioning as you need to light the hexi or gel burner. It could be wise to also add a couple of storm candles which keep alight even in bad weather.

A set of mess tins and a cup. Again this enables you to boil water and make a brew but also if you have a supply of rations or rat packs then you can not only make a brew but also make a meal of high calorific value to see you through the immediate dangers.

A thermos flask. If you are boiling water then it makes sense to keep any excess ready for a quick use.
Ration packs. You can buy many different ration packs of dehydrated or pre packed food that are generally high in calories and also taste quite good. I carry a three days supply at all times in a vehicle because after that you are either in some serious shit or help will be with you.
Mobile phone and car charger. Obvious but often overlooked. Should you not have a fully charged mobile, (and don't forget mobile batteries run down faster in the cold) if you have hot drinks and food you can barter to use other peoples phones.
A 4/5 season Sleeping bag. These days a good sleeping bag is relatively cheap and a good 4/5 season sleeping bag will keep you warm in temperatures down to minus 20. Obviously you get what you pay for but in any case how valuable is your life?
A wind up torch/ head torch. Again a necessity because you then don't need to keep the engine running to provide light.
A selection of glow sticks and a whistle. Glow sticks don't seem to be too effective but they do make a difference if you have no light and they can be seen a long way off by rescuers. They also come in various colours these days including white.
A wind up radio. Always good to know the up to date info and the fact that there is a voice can help in the darkest of times.
A 2-part shovel, preferably plastic. Plastic is lighter to carry and use. A two part one is smaller to handle.
A piece of thick plastic sheeting, some bungee cord or purlon (para) cord and some tent pegs. If you are going to have to make a fire to boil water or make a warm meal then obviously you don't want to attempt to do it in the vehicle (you would be surprised that some have tried it). Thus you need to have a clear area to prepare your burner and you can easily get wet quickly with the snow so a piece if plastic sheeting placed on the floor enables you to work your burner easier.

First aid kit. A basic first aid knowledge is imperative in daily life but if you find yourself in an emergency situation then either you or a fellow human may well be glad that you took a course in basic first aid. It might raise eyebrows but saving someone’s life in an emergency situation can be a good barter point.

Obviously not an exhaustive list but one that can help save your life so give this subject some serious thought and above all...
practice what you need to do
WHEN YOU DON'T NEED TO DO IT SO YOU ARE PROFICIENT WHEN YOU DO NEED THE SKILLS.

[KathyLauren]

Excellent advice! Other things to consider having in the car even if you are not going to be stranded:

A wool blanket. Handy for all kinds of occasions, including those times you didn't think you would get stranded but did.

Tire chains. If you don't use winter tires, tire chains will make you legal. When you need them, nothing else will do. I keep a set in the car all the time. Know how to install them.

Warm, waterproof gloves. Have you ever had to change a flat tire when it's -20C and blowing up a blizzard? Or installed tire chains by the side of the road because it was obvious you were going to die if you didn't? I have, and it ain't fun. You'll be glad you have them. And you don't want to use the "good" gloves in your jacket pocket for messing around the wheels.

Toothbrush and change of underwear. So you can comfortably decide to stop at a hotel or crash at a friend's place rather than pressing on. (In our case, it's in case we miss the last ferry).

[Green Aura]

Did either of you mention a shovel?

[Big Al]

Did either of you mention a shovel?

yup, two piece plastic jobby,lol. The real reason it has to be plastic is that it is lighter to use especially for the ladies but in my case it has to be plastic because mrs BA would undoubtedly ***t me round the head with one for getting stuck in such a situation....lol.

[crowsashes]

if you keep your mobile right next to your skin under all those layers! it will help preserve the battery life if there isnt much left. helpful if its cold. ive been told the best place is in your pants as there its really warm but im not to sure on that one!

[sleepyowl]

I traveling short distances by foot:
Chocolate bars for energy & comfort
A drink in a bottle, sports bottles are best
Good walking shoes
waterproofs
hat, scarf, gloves
basic first aid kit
Mobile phone

(i've had to do this walking home from work)

[floydster]

Don't let yourself get wet. Invest in Gore-Tex boots, trousers, jacket and gloves, also wear waterproof socks just in case. As mentioned before, layer yourself.

When I'm in remote spots on my own I always take two mobiles, each one with a SIM from a different provider. Not exactly a tip for bad weather but most of that's been said.

Floydster

[frozenthunderbolt]

in the real freezing weather as a last resort burn your tyres. syphen some fuel and pour onto your spare. ignite it carefully. you can then stack your other tyres as the ones underneath burn out. you get heat and a signal plume of smoke. the rims will re-radiate the heat for longer too.
Note: do NOT do this if you have mag wheels on your car if you manage to ignite magnesium

[Big Al]

I traveling short distances by foot:
Chocolate bars for energy & comfort
A drink in a bottle, sports bottles are best
Good walking shoes
waterproofs
hat, scarf, gloves
basic first aid kit
Mobile phone

(i've had to do this walking home from work)

Good Ideas there Sleepy Owl. Can I put these bits on my site as I never thought to do a bit about walking I also carry a "day sack " when out walking but then I'm a paranoid sod...

[Carltonian Man]

Don't forget during very cold weather to look out for your neighbours. Our neighbour is an old lady and not once during this latest cold snap has she come across to see that we're ok. The lazy cow can't even be bothered to take her milk in off the doorstep.



Only joking of course.. it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out for others

[Millymollymandy]

Yes, my inlaws are 'snowed in' and my mum has been 'iced in' - an able bodied person may be able to make it up the road on slippery pavements but elderly people can't, ditto in a car. They just don't dare go out in a car on icy or snowy roads because if they did get stuck they'd really be up the swanee. Of course none of them have the internet (don't have a clue about computers) so it's not like they can order shopping online either.

[citizentwiglet]

When out and about in treacherous conditions, do take two small children (preferably under the age of 4) with you. You'll get rescued faster.

Joking........

Very good advice about the neighbours. I have been snow-shovelling and errand running for weeks now (we don't have much snow, in inches, but our snow first fell on the 21st December and has never thawed, everything else has just got dumped on top - Ann Pan probably has more snow, but will know what I'm talking about) - the danger for elderly people is ice, rather than snow. South Lanarkshire Council, to be fair, have gritted some of our pavements around the sheltered housing places, but everywhere else is a bit hairy-scary at the moment.

They* reckon we've got at least another 10 days of this (no thaw) weather. I've got quite used to looking out onto snow, now. When I watch TV and I see someone standing on green stuff, it's quite a novelty. I remember the mad mental snows of 1981 - I was in Wales, on the coast, at the time; but I don't remember it lasting as long as it has up here. (Admittedly less snow this year, but no rain in how long, exactly??). My son broke up from nursery on the 22nd December, and that snow is still on the ground - the snowman he made that day is still intact; albeit with a snowy hat from all the extra snow we've had.

(* They - the same meteorological folk who assured us we were in for a very mild winter. Same as our Barbeque summer)

I guess the next big drama the BBC can make a song and dance about on their rolling news is the inevitable thaw, and the flooding that is bound to arise in certain areas. And much slagging off of Government by the other parties how we have been hideously unprepared and how could they let it happen. I'm yawning already.

[Big Al]

[quote="citizentwiglet"]When out and about in treacherous conditions, do take two small children (preferably under the age of 4) with you. You'll get rescued faster.



..... they are also good for breaking the fall when you slip over....

[Big Al]

>..I've just googled surviving bad weather and my tips on this ish site came up top.....

[Millymollymandy]

If you ever see a wet scarecrow with his flies undone on a Dorset beach - that'll be me.

If your boxers won't stay up it might be a bit of an interesting sight.