Preparing A Home
Auto Preparation
Driving on Slick Roads
Wind Chill
Cold Injuries
Plan B - Survival

Worst Case
Plan B - Stranded In The Winter

 Anyone could be caught in this situation if traveling in dangerous winter conditions. To survive be prepared!

  Anyone could be caught in this situation if traveling in dangerous winter conditions. To cope be prepared! Pack the items needed and make preparations, before you go into a winter driving situation that could leave you stranded for a long period of time, so you and others with you can survive.

  Plan B Starts before you leave home. Dress warmly in layers for the temperatures you will be in if you have to be outside for a extended period.. It is easy to keep the car interior a little cooler to be comfortable. If you must dress to be in a warm environment at your destination at least take the layers of clothing along so that you can change into them if you should become stranded. Make sure your emergency car kit is stocked and up to date. Take some ready to eat  high-energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins,  peanut butter, cookies, nuts and crackers along. Also bottled water, six liters per person, ration it if need be to 2 liters per day. Take plenty of snacks (your favorites, you can always eat them after the trip).

  Know where you are going and the route you will take. Let a trustworthy family member or friend know your route, description of your vehicle and plans. Tell them you will call on your arrival and agree on a time when you will be considered "overdue" at which time if you cannot be reached by phone they will notify the proper authorities of your situation. While driving, keep track of where you are so you can give directions to where you can be found if need be.

Here are some idea's you may want to incorporate into your plan B.

A General Plan of Action

1. Stay with your vehicle unless you can clearly see a safe place within a  short distance. Your vehicle will become your shelter. Do Not try to walk long distances for help in bitter cold conditions. You could suffer from hypothermia, frostbite and become lost or lose your life. It's much easier for rescuers to find your car and it is the first thing they will likely find. It would be difficult to find you in the wilderness or off the side of the road.

2. Use your cell phone and call for help by dialing a friend or 911. Be prepared to give directions to your location if needed. If you're phone says no service then wait until you can get service before trying a call. Locate the charger and charge if needed during times you run the car for heat.

3. Move all your supplies and emergency kit into the passenger compartment with you, they will freeze in the trunk of a car and you need access to them in the vehicle.

4. Put on extra clothes from your emergency kit if needed to stay warm.

5. Tie your bright ribbon to the car antenna. At the same time Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked and can flow freely to protect yourself from Carbon Monoxide. If snow fall gets to deep, before running the car for heat each hour, check the exhaust pipe occasionally to be sure it doesn't become buried.

6. Run the car for ten minutes of each hour to stay warm using the heater. Do not use the defroster setting to stay warm.

7. If possible, clean off your windows regularly, so if your car is spotted you can be seen inside, this will alert others that you may need help.

8. If absolutely necessary use the one of the emergency candles in your kit to warm the passenger compartment. (be very careful with candles, keep other items away from the candles when burning or after extinguishing them while they are still hot. Don't let a fire start, it could be deadly. if a fire does starts use snow to extinguish it.) Do Not sleep with the candles burning. Stuff a hand warmer, you have opened and shook up, in your coat to add warmth, if needed. This should be enough to keep the compartment from getting to cold. Open a window, on the opposite side of the car from any wind, only a tiny amount to get ventilation. while burning a candle or running the engine.

9. Ration your food and water to last for at least 3 days if you can't contact help. Water is the most important, be sure to drink enough. Food shouldn't be a problem since it takes along time to starve to death, even without food, unless you have a medical condition you will be fine with the snacks and things you have on hand. If you run out of water, melt clean snow in a bottle for water as a last resort.

10. Use your small battery powered radio to get weather reports, or entertainment if you have enough spare batteries.

11. The leak proof plastic bags in your kit will serve as your indoor toilet. Yes it's awkward, and takes some practice, if you prefer venture on outside next to the vehicle and take care of this if it becomes necessary. Tie up the bags, store outside if desired.

12. Use your flashlight sparingly only when needed, to conserve batteries.

Contact and get help as soon as possible by waving others down or drive out if thawing occurs.

You should be rescued in a short period of time, so don't panic, just relax and read the book from your emergency kit or listen to the radio (if you packed those extra batteries)

What if the unthinkable happens, several days later, your still in the middle of nowhere, the weather is better, but no one has even happened by your way? The Car won't start? You can't get a signal for the cell phone.
Don't panic, a new adventure has begun, it's time to put your Wilderness Survival Skills to work and find a cell phone signal, house or nice warm gas station. Your more prepared than you might think.