Personal safety is not only buying a firearm and being trained with it. Personal Safety requires us to be prepared for other events as well. We are about to begin winter here in the Minnesota, so let’s talk about a few things you can do to help provide for you and your family's personal safety during winter storms.
When winter hits we all anticipate storms will happen. Nearly every winter a few bad storms come through and cause serious personal safety issues. I have worked dozens of winter storms during my career. We are frequently sent to rescue people that went into the ditch. Going in the ditch has happened to all of us, unless you have been really lucky. But, if you drive in enough storms you are bound to end up in the ditch at some point. Maybe driving too fast for the conditions, or maybe you’re driving 2mph and visibility is so poor you drive into the ditch (yes, I have been there). Anyways, the problem usually occurs when the person in the ditch doesn't have the proper clothing or winter survival gear in their vehicle to survive until the storm passes. Sometimes they didn't fill up the gas tank before the storm hit and are now in the ditch with an empty tank. Or they don't understand how important it is to keep their exhaust pipe clear of snow while they are in the ditch. I have seen storms that were so cold, and blowing so much snow, that the engines of vehicles in the ditch filled up with snow and shut down. I have had calls where the people were panicking after their vehicle shut down, while they were in the ditch, and snow was coming in through the vents. I have recovered people wearing skirts, shorts, t-shirts, or other summer attire, with no winter gear in the car. I have even had people who opened the door of their vehicle only to have the wind bend the door forward so it couldn't close. The list could go on.
The point is, there are times that tow trucks stop running, plows are pulled from the roads, and law enforcement can't make it to you. You may be on your own until the morning or until the storm passes. If you must travel during a storm please put a kit in your vehicle to accommodate for yourself and anyone that may be with you during that trip. Dress appropriately for the storm and have the cold weather clothing to keep you from freezing to death, sustaining frost bite, or other cold weather injuries. Most importantly, if you do not need to be out in the storm DON’T. I have recovered people that told me they just wanted to see how bad it was on the roads. They went out, got stuck and emergency services had to recover them. A lot of emergency services don’t have tracked vehicles that can get through the storms when road conditions become completely impassable. In my area we drive all wheel drive sport utility vehicles that are not much different than most newer vehicles on the road today. Update you car kit today so you have it ready for you when you need it.
Here is a brief list of items to consider including in your vehicle during winter travels. Remember the clothing you are wearing is your first line of defense. Be sure to have a winter jacket, snow pants, ski mask or scarf, and stocking hat. You should candles, an empty can or canteen cup for melting snow for drinking water, food such as peanuts, granola bars and sports bars, signal flares, marking tape, flashlights and extra batteries, an extra cell phone charger, and an emergency battery bank to charge your phone. You can place a candle in a can to help produce heat if your vehicle shuts down. If you want a more contained safe way to use a candle consider the UCO Original Candle Lantern at ucogear.com. The signal flares, strobes, and marking tape can be used to make your vehicle more noticeable.
Plan ahead and be prepared to endure by having the items you need to secure your family's safety. You can email me if you have questions on your kit. Also, please pass on ideas to those that may need help building a winter car kit. Thank you for being a Ready American!