Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 29: Is it Safe to Walk on Ice?

By Suzanne Wiley   November 22, 2013

There are very few chances us regular folks get to walk on water, so when ponds, lakes or rivers freeze over many take the opportunity to participate in fun activities such as ice skating, a friendly game of ice hockey, snowshoeing or ice fishing. But how do you know the ice is safe to walk over? There are a few general things to keep in mind when judging if frozen water is safe to walk over. Please remember, however, that ice is never 100 percent safe to walk on, so tread slowly, take every precaution you can and follow the following five rules of judging how safe ice is.

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Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 28: Learning by Example: The Survival Story of Thomas and Tamitha Garner

By Suzanne Wiley   November 21, 2013

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In January 2008, a Utah couple Thomas and Tamitha Garner, along with their dog Medusa, set out for a drive in a remote area of Southwest Utah to photograph wild horses in Modena Canyon. Before heading out, they alerted family members of their plans and stopped in Panaca, Nevada for gas and two boxes of granola bars. The couple ended up further down a road than they should have when a severe winter storm came through. Thomas says the snow got too high and he was unable to turn the truck around to get out. The Garner’s ordeal lasted 12 days. I want you to tell me; what did the Garners do right and what did the Garners do wrong?

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Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 27: Is Snow Safe to Eat?

By Suzanne Wiley   November 20, 2013

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Is snow safe to eat may sound like a ridiculous question, but it is a little more complicated than a simple answer yes or no.

Who hasn’t stuck their tongue out on a snowy day to catch a few fluffy snowflakes or broke an icicle off a tree and sucked on it? Appealing as snow looks—pristine, fluffy and like it would taste like whipped cream—it isn’t necessarily safe. Pollution and bacteria can mix with snow, even in remote mountainous regions. Though you should be more concerned with hypothermia rather than getting sick from eating contaminated snow, you can still use snow to hydrate yourself if caught ill prepared in a blizzard. However, you should melt snow first before eating it!

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Safety and Training

A Safety Reminder About Lead

By Suzanne Wiley   November 20, 2013

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Due to the lead in the primer and ammunition, the gases expelled from firing a gun contain lead. While at the gun range—whether indoor or outdoor—we inhale these gases. Lead particles and dust also settle on our fingers, hands, arms, hair, clothing, shoes and our face. In fact, the air around your face at the shooting range contains toxic levels of lead. Always wash thoroughly after a range trip.

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Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 26: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

By Suzanne Wiley   November 19, 2013

I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but carbon monoxide really is a silent killer. You can’t smell it, taste it or see it. In fact, you might not even believe you feel it. You may disregard symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, chest pain and nausea as a cold or flu. However, carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous—even mild cases can cause permanent brain damage. Carbon monoxide poisoning happens all year round, however, cases increases in winter—particularly in December and January. One of the best ways to prevent CO poisoning is to buy a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector. It works just like your smoke alarm and will sound a loud alarm when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present. There are other ways to prevent CO poisoning, as well:

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Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 25: Curing Cabin Fever

By Suzanne Wiley   November 18, 2013

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Though not a diagnosable condition, cabin fever is commonly used to describe the feelings of boredom, irritably, restlessness and claustrophobia one gets when cooped up inside for too long. Cabin fever may also come about if you spend too long in an isolated place—even you if you venture outside daily. It can also cause anxiety, excessive sleeping, anger, forgetfulness, anxiety, impatience, and stress. Severe winter weather can keep you from leaving the house. I will tell you that you need to add entertainment to your preparations to prevent and cure cabin fever.

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