Winter Weather Survival - 10 Essentials You Should Never Leave Home Without!

As I sit down to write this short article, it is 23 degrees outside in Austin, Texas, with an overnight low forecasted to hit a record-breaking 15 degrees the television is humming in the background with non-quit chatter about the winter blast that is sweeping the central and eastern United States and trapping hundreds of motorists in white-out conditions, and there are reports of unseasonably cold weather from around the globe. So far alot more than a dozen deaths have been attributed to the harsh cold of what will no doubt go down as 1 of the most frigid winters in record. And we are only two weeks into the official winter of 2010...

As a mountain climber and outdoor enthusiast, I have learned over the years that whilst harsh winter weather is not something to be feared, it is unquestionably one thing to be respected. History has taught us that even the top weather forecasts are destined to be wrong, and that old' Mr. Murphy and his law that if anything can go wrong - it will - is alive and well in the complicated world of weather prediction. It is for this reason that seasoned climbers follow a straight forward rule: strategy for the worst and hope for the finest. In fact, if you study climbing accidents and fatalities (one thing I did for lots of years), you will pretty much invariably discover that the climber(s) in question failed to adhere to this basic rule. Not giving adequate respect to Mother Nature and her penchant for sudden fits of fury can get you into a whirlwind of trouble. Really literally.

It is for this reason that mountaineers have created their list of 10 Essentials. Pick up any book on mountaineering or take any course on climbing and you will quickly be introduced to the 10 Essentials. Years of encounter and challenging luck have taught climbers that there are ten tools that you should by no means leave home without - to do so will put you and your team at unnecessary risk. Likewise, if you always have the ten essentials with you, probabilities are you can survive even the worst of circumstances. If you are adequately ready, you can survive almost anything.

So, how do we prepare for this harsh winter, particularly if we are out in it? Make certain that you have the ten Essentials to Survive! It doesn't matter if you are a climber or not, the principle of preparation is universal and severe weather is everywhere. We will need to all be familiar with the ten Essentials and take the required actions to make certain that both our properties and vehicles are equipped for survival.

Beneath are the 10 Essentials for winter weather survival that you will need to never leave dwelling without having (or stay home with no), slightly modified for the non-climber.

1) Clothing & warmth. You need to normally have fleece or pile socks, pants, shirts, jackets and hats in your vehicle. A fleece blanket and goose down jacket and sleeping bag will assure your comfort should really you be stranded for any length of time with out power or assistance. Remember, climbers live for days in negative degree temperature through some of the worst circumstances - in tents - basically simply because they have the correct clothing.

two) Non-perishable food. You should have three days worth of food storage in your automobile through the winter. Store MRE's or other dehydrated foods and power bars to stave off the hunger in the event of a prolonged stay in your auto.

three) Water and/or water filtration capability. When you are surrounded by snow, you are surrounded by water, assuming you have a indicates to melt and purify the water. Water purifiers and purification tablets are a need to for the climber, and you really should have both in your auto emergency kit. Keep in mind, the human body can last weeks without food, but only a matter of days without having water.

4) Knife, lighter, duct tape, utility tool and string. The simplest tools are normally the ones that are the most missed in an emergency. Bear in mind Cast Away with Tom Hanks? A basic knife and lighter would have altered his circumstances considerably and you need to have both in your car at all occasions. Also, duck tape in an emergency is a need to, you can manufacture any number of inventions with a small duct tape.

5) Communication. Your cell telephone is very important. Make certain you have the implies to recharge your telephone with a crank device in the event you are with out battery power. If you cannot communicate with the outside globe, you are extremely on your own.

6) Heat and stove. Your automobile emergency kit will need to involve a camp stove and fuel for melting water and cooking food. A warm meal or drink soothes the soul in a extended winter emergency, and will present an indirect source of heat to boot. (Keep in mind that a camp stove emits dangerous carbon monoxide, so you must only use one in a well-ventilated space. Open the auto windows or cook outside when you use one.)

7) GPS. If you do not know where you are...you are really lost. A beneficial GPS unit will give you a sense of direction, but alot more importantly, it will give you a position for rescue. A portable GPS unit is a outstanding addition to your vehicle emergency kit.

8) Light. You ought to consistently carry a crank operated light and/or lantern for those unforeseen emergencies. Flash lights are great, but they rely on batteries that run out of power. Crank operated lights and snap lights for those extended dark knights are the top companion you can invest in in a winter emergency.

9) Hygiene & 1st aid. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Sanitation wipe for those wilderness privy's and cleaning desires are a ought to, and there is absolutely nothing superior than brushing your teeth with real toothpaste soon after a lengthy day in the wilderness. Standard cleaning soaps, gloves, lotion, necessary medications (Benadryl, Tylenol, etc.), and fundamental initially aid tools should really be important ingredients in your safety kit.

ten) Survival Book. There are countless out there and I advise you study them. Obtain your favorite and make confident you maintain it in your vehicle emergency kit. You never know, 1 day you may need to have to make fire from sticks...with no a how-to guide, you might possibly never see the glow or warmth of fire.

I am from Texas, so I don't in most cases maintain all of these essentials in my vehicle. But if I know I'm headed into cold climates, I by no means leave household without them. The value of the ten essentials was produced profoundly clear to me one winter day 8 years ago when I became trapped in the worst white out snow storm I had ever knowledgeable in the Silverton Pass in Colorado. I was in my Dodge pick-up (equipped with the ten essentials) when a rogue storm hit the pass. I was completely blinded by the storm and had to stop my vehicle for hours on the road even though snow piled up all about me. Whilst I was nervous, I knew with no a doubt that I could weather the storm due to the fact I had the ten essentials.

It's all about preparedness. Remember, when the time for action is upon you, the time for preparation is gone.

Remain safe. Stay Informed. Be Ready.

Kevin