Tip of the Week…Winter travel, When You Get Stranded

Posted by Carolyn on Feb 5th, 2010 in Evacuation and Refuge, Natural Disasters, Survival Tips, Tip of the Week | 1 comment

With all the snow and ice storms on tap for the east coast this weekend I thought getting you thinking about the items you already have in your car, which could be used if you are stranded, might make an good post. We often have items around us which we can use for survival but we just don’t take the time to consider how they can be used. We should all have a good car kit and anyone traveling in snow country would be very foolish to leave home without one. There have been occasions when motorists have been stranded for hour on a highway because of an accident coupled with white out conditions. Other times we head out not realizing just how bad a storm is only to find our car sliding off a more remote road with no traffic as others have opted to stay home in front of a warm fire.

Before running the engine of your car be sure the tail pipe is not blocked or you could poison yourself and your passengers. If you do find yourself stranded do not run your car for more than 10 minutes every hour. This will heat the car and provide you with a few minutes to listen to radio reports but will not exhaust your fuel supply. You don’t know how long you will be stranded so don’t waste you car and end up with a very, very cold car because your supply has run out.

Whatever the reason for our predicament we have common items which can help while we wait for rescue.

Lipstick

Great for writing a message on the window of a car if you are leaving the car. However, leaving the car is not a good idea unless you know exactly where you are going and are sure of the walking distance, or the car is in danger because of a gas leak.

Because of the wax and oils in lipstick, it is also good to help start a fire. Just rub some on a flammable material, and light.

Petroleum Jelly

Often used as a lip balm, and can be used to start a fire. Rub on another flammable material and light it with a match or the car’s cigarette lighter. It can also be rubbed on the door gaskets to help stop drafts.

Mirror

A great signaling device. Not only your makeup mirror but also the rear-view or side mirrors on your car. Rip one off and use it to signal when you hear aircraft (obviously, you need direct sunlight in this situation). If you are leaving your car, take a mirror with you.

Feminine Products

These are a great item to add to that small fire you have started. Remember adding the lipstick and petroleum jelly will increase the time they will burn. Feminine pads can be burned, but are also valuable first aid compresses for an injury.

Other Fire Starters

If you happen to have these items, they are also great to help start a fire: cotton balls, cotton swabs, paper towels, newspapers, cardboard.

Pencils, Rulers, Wooden Toys, and Everything Wooden

These make great kindling once you have a small fire started. Search outside the vehicle too for dry wood scraps and any flammable material that can be used to build a fire.

Hair Spray and Perfume

Both of these products contain alcohol and will aid in fueling a small fire.

Prescription Glasses

Do you remember as a kid starting a leaf on fire with a magnifying glass? Prescription eye glasses will accomplish the same thing.

Credit Cards

These make great ice scrapers. Be sure to wear gloves or a plastic bag on your hands to minimize getting wet.

Cigarette Lighter

Use carefully to light paper or other easily flammable item. This can then be used to start a fire or to light a candle.

Candles

These may not be a normal items in a car but they are worth a mention here because it seems they are a frequent gift. If you happen to have one in the car or trunk light it and carefully place it where it can’t tip and catch items around it on fire. A burning candle is enough heat to help prevent freezing inside the car.

The Horn

Don’t forget your best signaling device. The universal signal for help is a long blast either from a whistle, horn or as a last resort, your voice. Sound it long, follow by a short pause and then another long blast, and then a third. An SOS is sent by honking your horn three times in short intervals, then three long and then three short.

Newspapers and Magazines

These are not only great for fuel, but also for insulation. When my children were young I was asked to train as a counselor for girls’ camp. At the time this involved a two-day hike and night in the great outdoors. Boy, did we pick the wrong week. As we got our little two-man tents up, down came the rain and up came the wind — and then there was lightning and thunder. It was a really frightening night.

As we lay awake in our tent watching it sway, we got little sleep. When we ventured out in the morning, we discovered some of the women had taken refuge in a car. They froze — while we were nice and warm. The difference? We were on the ground, and they were in a car with the cold winds blowing not only around them but also under them.

I learned the lesson. When you are in a car, you need to keep in as much heat as possible and prevent cold air from coming in. That means insulating the floor. Newspapers and magazines are a great insulator. Layer them on the floor and then cover with any extra clothing, rags or blankets. Search out all the empty backpacks, clothing, or paper grocery bags you may have in the car and use them to keep out drafts or to layer on the floor.

Umbrellas

Most of us have an umbrella in the trunk. If not, get one. If you are stranded in your car, it is important to keep a window open slightly, especially when the engine is running. This window should always be one that is downwind. This may not always be possible because during a storm the winds may be blowing. If this is the case, open the window slightly, slip the handle of the umbrella out the window, and open the umbrella. Pull the umbrella tightly against the car and close the window. The small space that remains will support the umbrella and will also provide air circulation. The umbrella will prevent cold gusts and snow from being blown into the car while allowing air to circulate, thus preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. Try to choose a window that is upwind from the path of the exhaust when the engine is running.

Umbrellas can also be used to shield a fire from wind gusts until it can become established.

When building a snow cave or other shelter, an umbrella can be used to “seal” the doorway. In the case of a leaky roof in your snow cave, an umbrella opened inside may protect you from getting wet. Again, don’t leave the shelter of your car if it is possible to stay safely there. If you do leave, leave a message on the car with your location or direction of travel. But generally, do as Scouts do. They are taught to hug a tree if they become lost. The same wisdom applies here — stay in your car or you may not be found by your rescuers.

Take precautions now to be safe through this winter season. For those on the east coast now is the time to think about what you will do if the power goes out this weekend. Review last week’s Tip of the Week.

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