The Savvy Section!

Extreme Cold Weather Survival

Wise words from US ex-serviceman and now successful author J.S Patrick.

Got anything to add? Questions? Let me know.

I am delighted to welcome J S Patrick to my website and to include him in the monthly newsletter. Fans of his will be pleased to know that he will also be taking part in a Guest Author interview very soon. Today though, we talk to him not in his capacity as talented author, but with a view to learning some cold weather survival tips, learned from his time in the military.

Many parts of the world have been experiencing extreme cold just lately, including the UK, so it seems like a very relevant conversation! If you learn from J S Patrick’s knowledge or simply enjoy the interview, why not take a minute to let him know. You can either comment on my blog or go directly to his social media, here: J S Patrick on Facebook

1.       Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us here. You are going to draw upon skills learned during your time in the military. Are you able to tell us which branch you served in and for how long?

 I served a total of 20 years in the Army.

2.       You were taught various skills to aid survival in a variety of extreme conditions. What would you say are the top 5 tips to remember to survive in extreme cold?

In no specific order, I would say:

Keep dry

Dress in layers

Sleep off the ground

Seek shelter

Keep a small fire burning if possible

3.       What simple items should we all carry in our cars or on our person if we absolutely have to travel in extreme cold?

I have prepared winter survival bags for my wife and daughter’s cars. I included a blanket, candles, a can of Sterno, flashlight that doubles as an emergency phone charger, gloves, collapsible shovel, hand warmers and a 20 foot tow strap in case they get stuck and need pulled out.

Obviously there are more items that anyone can feel free to add, but these are the basics that I gave me piece of mind for my wife and daughter to drive in the winter.

4.       My son’s brakes froze on his work vehicle just this week, here in the (usually) relatively mild UK! Can you think of any preventative measures people can take to maintain their vehicles in adversely cold weather?

  As far as freezing brakes, the main thing you can do to avoid that is to ride the brake pedal for a short distance, if possible, before you park for any length of time. This will heat the brakes up and help dry them out which can help prevent freezing.

 Before the cold weather sets in, it's a good idea to have your battery tested to make sure it's in good enough condition to make it through winter. Make sure antifreeze is full and is at the proper mixture. This will prevent coolant from freezing as well as helping the vehicle’s heater perform it's best.

 When temperatures drop, it will also cause tire pressure to drop, so it's a good idea to check tire pressure periodically to ensure proper inflation.

 Also, when it's cold, the engine oil takes longer to get pumped through the engine when you start it. When you first start it cold, let the engine run for 10 or 20 seconds before putting it in gear and taking off. This will give the oil pump chance to get all the oil up into the engine.

5.       What is the worst, most challenging weather event that you have ever had to endure?

  Four years ago, I was up in Canada and got stuck in a two-day blizzard with white out conditions. I was lucky and that I managed to get parked in a Walmart parking lot before all the roads were shut down, but I was stuck in my truck for 48 hours while over 4 feet of snow fell.

6.       It is terrifying to hear of people getting lost in blizzards or white-outs. Nature can be remorseless. What would be your advice to someone suddenly caught out in such conditions? (I know someone who walked miles home across the top of a mountain in such conditions, late at night and after a few beers. How he survived I will never know, someone must have been watching over him!)

If you are in your car, do not leave your car. Even if it doesn't run, it keeps you out of the elements. If your car does run, do your best to clear the area around the front grill and especially the exhaust pipe. There have been people who had enough gas to run their car for several days who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning because their exhaust was blocked.

If for some reason you have to leave your car, never lose sight of the roadway.

 Regardless, it is always advisable to stay in one place for as long as possible to have the best chance of being found.

7.       What are the first signs of frostbite and how would you combat it?

Well, obviously, if your skin feels very cold to the touch, that's the first sign. After that, the tissue begins to harden up from being frozen. You can lightly depress effected areas to see if the skin springs back up. Once anything starts to go numb, it's definitely time to get out of the cold.

8.       What are the symptoms of hypothermia? Have you ever had it/witnessed it in someone else?

 Thankfully I've never witnessed anyone in hypothermia. The most recognizable symptoms of hypothermia resemble that of someone who is extremely drunk. Slurred speech and lethargy are good indicators. Lack of coordination can be another. Also, if someone who has been shivering from the cold suddenly stops shivering, that should be immediate cause for concern.

9.       What is the single most useful item you own yourself, that you take on every trip, regardless of the weather?

 Actually I have two things I never leave home without. I have a Zippo lighter and a good pocket knife that are a permanent part of my wardrobe. That has been the case for me since I was in the boy scouts. Recently, I have added my cell phone to that. But the cell phone is mostly a case of survival during anytime that I have to wait for something. Thank God for Angry Birds!

10.   Anything I haven’t thought of that you would like to share?

As a truck driver, I see the best and worst drivers that America has to offer, on a daily basis. During the winter, my best advice is to SLOW DOWN. If you're not sure how slick the road surface is, slow down. If you're not sure the driver in front of you can handle the driving conditions, slow down. And, absolutely, give yourself extra room to stop. Speed and lack of stopping distance are the two biggest things I see go wrong that cause winter car accidents.

Thank you for your time and for sharing your knowledge J S Patrick. Not only are you a talented author but also handy to know in a snowstorm!

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