We continue our series on winter emergency preparedness by covering procedures that should be followed if you find yourself trapped in your car during a blizzard. A blizzard is a severe winter storm with heavy snow and high winds, creating very low visibility and lasting several hours to several days.

Before the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, make time to properly prepare your vehicles for winter driving. Check the level of antifreeze in each car. The mixture should be about 50/50 antifreeze to water. Install new wiper blades and fill the windshield washer reservoir. Check the oil level and the charge on the battery. You should have good, all-weather tires or studded tires on your car, along with a set of traction chains on hand.

Pack a survival kit for your car that includes high calorie snack food, water and other supplies that will help you endure if trapped. See a complete list here. If you do get stuck in your car during a blizzard, follow these rules:

• Do not panic. Remain calm and remember that you prepared for this.
• Stay in your car unless you see help within 100 yards of your vehicle. It is too easy to become disoriented and lost in the snow.
• Attach a bright flag to your antenna to let others know that you need help.
• Keep your survival kit in the passenger compartment of your car, in case the trunk is inaccessible.
• Occasionally run the engine to keep warm. Turn the heater on, and use the dome light to attract attention. Ensure that the tailpipe stays unobstructed to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window slightly, down wind, for fresh air.
• Stay dry. Wet clothes will make it more difficult to keep warm.
• If there is more than one person in the car, huddle together for warmth. Take turns sleeping so that one of you can turn on the car and watch for help.
• Stay hydrated and snack on high calorie food to keep boosting your metabolism.
• Move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance of the skin. Fingers, toes, ears and your nose are the most susceptible. Hypothermia is when the body’s temperature drops below 90 degrees. Uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, and drowsiness are all signs of hypothermia.

If either of these conditions are suspected, warm the person slowly, starting with the trunk of the body. Use your own body heat, blankets, newspapers, floor mats or anything else that is available to cover the person. Do not give them drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, as these hasten the body’s cooling. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you do have to travel in winter weather, be sure to communicate your trip plan to friends and family. Let them know when you plan to arrive at your destination and which roads you will drive. That way they know when and where to look for you if you don’t show up. Make sure you have a full tank of gas, whether the distance requires it or not, and a fully charged cell phone, along with a car charger.

Foresight and emergency preparedness are key to surviving hostile winter weather, so don’t put it off another day.

-Gary Jenkins-

Gary Jenkins is a father and husband living in Oregon who is a wildlife rehabilitation and outdoor adventure enthusiast.