Stalled... but Safe

AE-1237, November 2002
George Maher, Agricultural Safety Specialist

Contents

Introduction
Wind Chill Factor Comparisons
Know These Winter Weather Words
Plan Your Trip
Winter Driving
Vehicle Equipment
Winter Driving Techniques
Car Sizes
When You Become Stuck and Stranded
Hypothermia
Clothing and Bedding
What To Wear -- The Layer System
Water and Food Supplies
Medicinal Supplies
Exercises To Do
Entertainment Supplies
Heating and Ventilation
What To Do If Caught In A Storm
Contacts -- phone numbers and websites

Only the worst forecasts seem to keep many people at home during the wintertime. Fortunately, most of the people who venture out make it to their destination safe and sound. However, there are always those who become stranded temporarily, and sometimes uncomfortably, for several hours or days as a blizzard rages. Occasionally the storm takes its toll, and reports of deaths hit the headlines.

Traveling during the winter months, in the upper midwest, without planning and being prepared for bad weather can be dangerous and risky. If car trouble develops or an emergency is encountered, travelers may not be able to survive an extended period of time without the basics of shelter, food, and clothing. Survival can be difficult when man is pitted against nature.

Several problems are caused or aggravated by low temperatures and wind. The wind can increase the effects of the cold as it lowers the skin temperature even more. For instance, if the temperature is 30 degrees and there is a wind of 15 miles per hour, exposed flesh will feel an effective temperature of 19 degrees. Then when the temperature drops to minus 10 degrees and the wind rises to 30 mph, the effective temperature on bare flesh will be 39 degrees below zero! Bare flesh will freeze very quickly!

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Wind Chill Factor Comparisons

A wind chill chart tells you how cold it feels like on bare skin as compared to how cold it really is.

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Know These Winter Weather Words

Watches and warnings for hazardous winter weather are issued by the National Weather Service. These weather statements should be listened to carefully since the weather affects all of us.

Winter Storm Watch
Severe winter weather conditions may affect your area.

Winter Storm Warning
Severe winter weather conditions are imminent.

Ice Storm Warning
Significant, possibly damaging, ice accumulations can be expected. Freezing rain or drizzle means precipitation is expected to freeze when it hits exposed surfaces.

Heavy Snow Warning
A snowfall of at least 4 inches in 12 hours or 6 inches in 24 hours is expected. Heavy snow can mean lesser amounts where winter storms are infrequent.

Blizzard Warning
Considerable falling and/or blowing snow and winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.

Severe Blizzard Warning
Considerable falling and/or blowing snow, winds of at least 45 miles per hour, and temperatures of 10 degrees F or lower are expected for several hours.

High Wind Warning
Winds of at least 40 miles per hour are expected to last for at least one hour. In some areas, this means strong, gusty winds occurring in shorter time periods.

When bad weather is predicted, it is only common sense to take precautions. If you must travel, plan carefully and notify people of your plans. Otherwise, postpone the trip, or delay your trip enroute and stay secure in a town along the way. Let others know of your plans when you decide to stop for the storm to prevent possibly life threatening searches for you.

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Plan Your Trip

• Obtain weather and road reports from your local law enforcement office, or a radio or TV station which receives hourly weather and road reports, or call one of the numbers listed at the end of this publication.
• Tell someone of your plans, route, alternate route, destination and estimated time of arrival. When you arrive at your destination, tell those who need to know.
• Dress according to the weather conditions and be prepared for worse conditions.
• Do not leave without a full tank of fuel and check the engine's oil level.
• Check the vehicle for survival equipment, and don't leave without it.

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Winter Driving

Winter driving puts added strain on cars and drivers alike. Well-equipped and winterized, your car can take you safely to your destination. In the event of an emergency, the well-equipped car can provide you with lifesaving shelter and provisions. The following tips may help you get your car in shape for winter driving:

• Check the headlights and tail lights. Do they all work?
• Does the car's defroster/heater work properly?
• Is the exhaust system free of leaks that can cause asphyxiation?
• Use the recommended weight and grade of oil in the engine for winter conditions. Low temperatures can cause oil to thicken, making starting more difficult and adding strain to the battery.
• Is the battery in top condition? The power of a battery declines as the temperature drops. Most new batteries today are considered maintenance free and fluid levels cannot be checked. However, if the battery is nearing the end of its warranty life, maybe it should be replaced. Be sure the terminals are clean and tight.
• The fan and alternator belts need checking. Broken belts are not easy to replace in rough winter conditions and the engine may not run for very long without them.
• The engine cooling system must have antifreeze protection to the lowest temperature you expect. Hoses and clamps must not leak. Flush and replace antifreeze that is older than two years.
• Is the engine properly tuned for winter conditions? An out-of-tune engine can be very difficult or impossible to start in below-zero temperatures. A good winter tune-up is travel insurance.
• Are the windshield wiper blades in good shape? Good vision is essential in winter driving conditions.
• Are the brakes in good, safe condition? Brakes that are poor in summer are much worse in winter. If the brakes are suspect, have them checked at a competent brake shop.
• The car radio should be in good working condition; it will keep you advised of weather conditions as you travel and entertain you if you should become stranded. A cell phone or CB radio is communication that can speed up rescue efforts.
• Keep the gas tank as full as possible. More condensation will form in a half-full tank than in a three-fourths full tank. This can lead to ice-plugged fuel lines and stalled engines. Fuel filters should be clean and free flowing.
• Snow tires provide 51 percent more pull in snow and 28 percent more pull on ice than regular tires. Tire chains provide three times more pull in snow and six times more pull on ice. Use tire chains that fit properly. Don't mix radial tires with bias ply tires (especially side-to-side); vehicles will be dangerously difficult to control.

There is little difference between snow tires and regular tires in stopping performance. However, tire chains can cut the stopping distance in half. There are other traction products that can work with varying results. You should try them before depending on them for the winter.

Front-wheel drive cars do not need added weight for improved traction. But, extra weight can be added to the trunk of a rear-wheel drive car for winter traveling. This is often in the form of sand bags (can be handy on ice) or salt bags. Adding too much weight can adversely affect handling. A guide to use is: add 75 pounds for subcompact cars, 100 pounds for compacts and intermediates, and up to 150 pounds for full-size cars. Sand can be useful with front-wheel drive cars to improve traction on slippery surfaces for short distances.

Tests have shown that decreasing the tire pressure in the drive wheels will not improve traction of any style of car. Tires, snow or regular tread, will perform their best at normal inflation pressures. The lower tire pressure will only cause tires to wear faster, make handling difficult and very dangerous, and adversely affect the ride.

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For more information on this and other topics, see: www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu

AE-1237, November 2002