A “bomb cyclone,” a massive Winter storm, is predicted to be imminent in part of the United States. With the holiday season in full swing, many are traveling in the bad weather. We, ourselves, have daughters traveling all the way from New York and Colorado to join us here in South Florida for a Merry (and warm) Christmas!

With Winter just beginning, you can bet this isn’t the last blizzard many will experience before Spring arrives. It could bode poorly for unprepared folks stuck on the road during blizzards or other extreme conditions. Hypothermia (the effects on the body from exposure to cold) may occur on the wilderness trail, but also right in the driver’s seat of the family car. It’s important to have a plan in case you are stranded in your vehicle.

YOUR CAR IN WINTER

Winter conditions don’t just affect people, they affect cars as well. Cold affects rubber and metal; it even decreases the battery’s efficiency. Tires become stiff and flat for the first few hundred yards. Your oil and other lubricants become thicker at cold temperatures. This makes the engine work harder. Therefore, vehicles doing duty in extreme cold should be “winterized”. This involves switching to a lighter viscosity oil, changing to snow tires, and choosing the right (anti-freeze) ratio of coolant to water. Gas tanks should never be less than half full.

For more info on winterizing your car, here’s an article from dmv.org:

https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/winterize-car.php

STAYING SAFE

You’re not a bear, so you can’t hibernate through the cold weather; you’ll have to take measures to avoid becoming a victim of it. Many deaths from exposure are avoidable if simple precautions are taken.

Keep an eye on weather forecasts before you head out; conditions can change rapidly if a cold snap is on the way. The first question you should ask before you get in the car in cold weather is: “Is this trip necessary?” If the answer is “no”, you should stay in place, cozy and warm. sadly, for most people that commute to work, the answer is “yes”.

If you have to hit the road during a winter storm, drive as if your life depends on it (because it does). Brush ice and snow off of windshields, side mirrors, or anywhere that you view might be blocked. Don’t speed, tailgate, or weave in and out of traffic. Make turns slowly and deliberately, and avoid quick stops and starts. I, myself, found myself in a fender-bender years ago during a ski trip, when my car slid into the back of another; It went more than 60 feet (with my foot on the brake) before hitting the car in front, not on a highway, but a street in town!

If you must hit the road, notify someone of your travel plans before you head out. Always take your cell phone with you. Many smartphone apps now allow your location to be tracked (with your permission). We were able to monitor the progress of our children during their entire trips.

Be sure your focus is on the road, not on the latest texts from your friends.

STRANDED!

If you live in an area that routinely has very cold winters, you may not be able to avoid being stranded in your car one day. Your level of preparedness will improve your chances of staying healthy and getting back home. So what should your plan of action be?

1. Stay calm and don’t leave the car. It’s warmer there than outside and you have protection from the wind. Having adequate shelter is one of the keys to success, whether it’s in the wilderness or on a snow-covered highway.
2. Crack a window on the side away from the wind for some fresh air. People talk about water and food being necessary for survival but, first, you’ll need a source of fresh air. Wet snow can block up your exhaust system, which causes carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. Colorless and odorless, this is a deadly gas that kills in enclosed spaces without ventilation. Clearing the exhaust pipe of snow and running the engine only ten minutes or so an hour will help prevent monoxide poisoning.
3. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car.
4. Rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to make your muscles produce heat.
5. Don’t overexert yourself. If your car is stuck in the snow, you’ll want to dig yourself out, but sweating will cause clothing to become wet. Wet clothing loses its value as insulation and leads to hypothermia.
6. Let others know you’re there. If you have flares, use them. Flashing emergency lights on your vehicle will drain battery power, so use them only if you think someone might see them.

WINTER CAR ITEMS

If you’re going to travel in very cold conditions, there are a certain number of items that you should keep in your vehicle. This is what an effective winter survival car kit contains:

• Wool Blankets (for warmth; wool can stay warm even if wet).
• Spare sets of dry clothes, including socks, hats, and mittens.
• Hard warmers or other instant heat packs (they’ll last for hours).
• Matches, lighters and/or firestarters in case you need to manufacture heat.
• Candles in a metal can or bucket. These can produce a surprisingly decent amount of heat in a small space, like the interior of a car.
• Flashlights (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend their life).
• Multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
• Larger combination tool like a foldable multi-use shovel (acts as a shovel but also an axe, saw, etc.).
• Sand or rock salt in plastic container (to give traction where needed). Believe it or not, some have used cat litter successfully!
• Tow chain or rope.
• Flares.
• Starter cables (for jump starts)
• Fix-A-Flat or a portable air compressor in case of a flat tire.
• Water, Food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, trail mix, candy).
• Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes).
• A first aid kit (every car should have one).
• Medications (routine meds you take daily, ibuprofen, acetaminophen.
• Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue).
• Metal cup, thermos, heat source (to melt snow, make soup, etc.).
• Noisemaker (whistle).
• Cell phone and charger (and, in normal times, the number of a towing service).

if you have other suggestions, send me an email to drbonespodcast@aol.com.

It may seem like a lot, but the items above will give you a head start in keeping safe and sound even if stranded. With a plan of action, a few supplies, and a little luck, you’ll survive even in the worst blizzard.

Joe Alton MD

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