I’ve often said that those who fail to prepare for the environment in which they travel have, truly, made that environment their enemy. It’s possible, however, to become stranded and not have it be the end of the road for you and your people. The concern of anyone stranded in the cold, whether it’s in the wilderness, an urban environment, or a vehicle is to find the warmest shelter available. In the post-collapse city, many abandoned buildings can provide a refuge from the wind and, perhaps, fuel to build a fire. A vehicle can serve as its own shelter.
Stranded In The Forest
Tree Well Shelter
In the forest, however, there are no houses readily available. Still, a shelter can be constructed that provides relative safety. A “tree well” shelter, for example, can be constructed out of the snow. A tree well is the sunken area around the trunk in very deep snow. Although considered a hazard by skiers, this area isn’t hard to excavate and, if the tree has low-hanging branches, should provide some protection from falling snow. Look for natural barriers nearby that may serve as windbreaks, but beware of slopes where you could be exposed to drifting snow or avalanches.
The space you dig out should be small, as small shelters take less effort to keep warm than large ones. Pack your snow “walls” well, so that they can retain heat better and support a makeshift roof. Place evergreen boughs and debris on the floor to serve as a barrier to the cold ground. Then, add some boughs on top to make a roof. Tarps or solar blankets may be used for this purpose, but winds might easily blow them off. Support blanket edges at the corners with rocks or other weights.
cave shelter
If a tree well is not an option, digging a “cave” shelter out of a deep snow drift might insulate you from the wind. Some experts suggest starting low and digging at an upward slope, giving you a floor that’s higher than the entrance. Why? As warm air rises, it will tend to stay in and cold air will exit.
If you make a fire, be sure to have ventilation holes in your shelter. Entrances and ventilation holes should open at a 90-degree angle to the prevailing winds. As for the time-honored tendency to eat snow to stay hydrated, be aware that your body must first melt it and loses heat as a result.
The Vehicle Stranding
Let’s say you’re stuck in a stalled car on the road in a blizzard. Sending a member of your party for help may seem the smart thing to do, but if you’re a fair distance from civilization, it’s a mistake. A few winters ago, a family took a wrong turn in a remote part of Oregon. After a fruitless wait for rescue, the father went out in frigid weather and made it ten miles before succumbing to hypothermia, despite carrying two lighters.
If at all possible, stay in the vehicle as, thanks to your body heat, the temperature in the vehicle is warmer than outside; in addition, you have protection from the wind. Leaving the vehicle might disorient you, especially in driving snow. As mental status changes are part and parcel of hypothermia, leaving might be a fatal mistake.
If the motor runs, turn it on for only about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Although the heater helps, wet snow can block up your exhaust system and cause carbon monoxide gas to enter the passenger compartment. You’ll need fresh air, so crack a window on the opposite side from where the wind is coming. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car.
Your muscles produce heat involuntarily by shivering, but you can rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to achieve the same goal. For more information on identifying and treating hypothermia, click this link to read our recent article on the topic.
The Winter Survival Car Kit
If you travel through an area known for cold snaps, there are a number of items that you should always have in your car. These are meant to keep you safe if the unthinkable happens and you’re stranded without hope of rescue.
A full set of camping supplies would be useful to keep if you have space in your car, but there are some items that are especially important:
- Wool blankets (wool can stay warm even if wet).
- Spare sets of dry clothes, especially socks, hats, and mittens.
- Hand warmers or other instant heat packs (they’ll last for hours).
- Matches, lighters, and fire starters to manufacture heat.
- Flashlights and candles (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend life).
- Small multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
- Larger combination tool like a foldable army shovel (acts as a shovel but also an axe, saw, etc.).
- Sand or rock salt (to give traction where needed).
- Tow chain or rope.
- Flares
- Starter cables (for jump starts).
- Water and food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, candies).
- Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes).
- A medical kit and medications….
- Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue).
- Metal cup or thermos (to melt snow, heat soup, etc.).
- Noisemaker (whistle) to signal for help.
- Cell phone and charger, weather radio.
It may seem like a lot, but having these items will increase your chance of survival. Some of the above materials, such as starter cables, are basics that are helpful even in normal times
Make sure that the “bumps in the road” of life don’t become the end of the road for you and your family. Winter can be harsh, but with some planning and supplies, the family medic can develop a strategy that will save lives in cold-weather strandings.
Joe Alton MD
Dr. Alton
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