Guest guest Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Good tips. After living in Alaska for 20 odd some years I do have a couple of other things to add. Silk (or thin polypropelene) gloves are great lines for mittens. Silk wicks away moisture and helps keep your fingers dry and warm. Sweat can be a major cause of frost bite. Get it away from your body. A bag of kitty litter or sand can help get you out of a slick spot if you skid. Not to mention add weight and some traction to the back tires. Flares!!!! They can help alert people on the road to your problem. You can wave them overhead to signal searchers. (Like I said, I live in Alaska, winter is harsh and anything to help.) They can also help you start a fire (outside of your vehicle!) if push comes to shove. Tea candles and a smaller can. Poke holes about 3/4 of the way up the smaller can to allow oxygen in . You can put your coffee can on top of the smaller can and use the heat to melt snow. Also, a small tea candle can keep a mid size car warm should you run out of gas before help arrives. Same advice, crack a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisioning. Don't forget a tin cup to drink your water from. Instant soups are a good survival food. Heat water and you will have nourishment and liquid and heat all in one. Hot cocoa (or it's equivelant) is good too. Blankets are good. I would add a reflective emergency blanket too. If you should be stuck at night the reflective side in will reflect your warmth back to you. During the day the silver side can be used to notify passing motorists of your plight. I would also suggest a sleeping bag as an alternative to the blanket. Extra clothes are good, don't forget socks! it's too easy to get snow into your boots/shoes and then have cold feet. Bad situtation. The simple act of changing your socks may make the difference between hypothermia and just an uncomfortably cold night. I'll get off my soap box... This winter is harsher than we have had in a while, not just here, but all over the place. I hope I don't see you on the side of the road, but if I do... I'll stop. Thanks for all the great posts everyone, I am learning alot. Elisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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