ALT-1 Items every Winter Driver should have
When winter and driver are mentioned in the same sentence and, If you live in an area of extreme cold one thing come into mind. Getting stranded along some desolate road. When temperature's are below freezing, and help isn't coming for a long time, right? Not a very pleasing scenario to find yourself in. But If your in someplace warm like Hawaii, have a good pair of walking shoe's.
Every responsible driver knows about item's which should be kept in the car. And for those of you whom live in cold climate's and or isolated from a town,and planing to drive in questionable weather, you'll need additional item's designed to keep you alive, and they will. . So lets take a look at the basic items first. I'm sure most of us know what we should have, right? But lets go it over anyway. You cant be prepared enough when you, or someone else's life may depend on it.
The first and most important rule is to always have your car properly maintained. Driving a beat up clunker that blows smoke, bang's and shakes like a cheap vibrating chair, screech's tires and leak's all over, is tempting fate and asking for trouble. Rent a car.
Remember to always plan your trip. Know how to get where your going. Find alternate rout's to take if need be. Look for long stretches of road and mark facilities such as, rest stops, etc. Always know where the nearest place is to summon help. Service your car if on a long voyage. Have a mechanic look it over and ask if the car is good to go.
Make a list of items you'll need. The first basic item you should have is an emergency kit. There are several varieties available for your car. However, a box of band aids won't do. They just aren't big enough.to stop the bleeding from your newly created stump. The leg you lost from skidding off an icy road, flipped over an embankment, and ejected out of the window because of no seat belt. Imagine seeing your car pass by, tumbling over and over down toward a ravine at the bottom, as the rest of your leg fly's out through the rear window. Get the picture?
Here's what your emergency kit should have in it. Plenty of assorted gauze bandages rolled and pads. scissors, tape, tourniquet, space blanket (shinny mylar), Flashlight with extra batteries & water. Fire extinguisher, Flares, (You can get them for free at you local police department.) Dextrose tablet,s (sugar like compound, dissolves immediately when eaten. This will help stave off shock from blood loss). Emergency first aid manual. Read it and memorize it. Learning to stop a person from bleeding to death, when they are, won't work! Its best to take a first aid course and become familiar with emergency procedures.
In the winter these additional items are a must. Tire chains fitted properly before you go. Extra blankets and water. A box of high fructose/protein bars. Waterproof boots(full leg) The last thing you'll want, if you have to walk through the snow, is to loose your feet from frostbite. A bright orange flag on a staff to signal with. Several boxes of chemical heat bags for warmth. Waterproof matches, survival saw, small propane burner with small pot. (to melt ice to drink, never ever eat ice!).
Now here's a few good suggestions. The day before the trip, check the weather. If a storms on its way in don't go. If you have to leave because of an urgent situation, your car should be already packed. Be prepared!. Check off your emergency items, and verify each item is in the car. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Get good rest.
On the day of the trip. Start your day with plenty of time to spare. Don't make a rush job. Have the driver pack the car. This ensures that the emergency kit wont get buried under stuff. Make sure its easily accessible. Call the responsible agency to check on road conditions. Eat a hearty meal before you go and last and MOST IMPORTANT, CALL SOMEONE. Let somebody know where your going, what route your taking, when your expected to arrive. Make sure you instruct them, if you haven't heard from me a couple of hour's after my scheduled arrival time, we're not able to call and somethings wrong! Get help! So when you get there, or your running late, please call someone and let them know.
Happy Journey
