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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Gear, Parts and Accessories

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 24: Winter Prep Overkill

By Suzanne Wiley   November 17, 2013

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There are quite a lot of adventurers out there—many who brave extreme temperatures to have an adventure of a lifetime. Like the 2,000 plus people who have successfully climbed Mount Everest. Others live in far Northern places— I’m looking at you, Alaska — where no one blinks an eye at minus freezing temperatures. When weather is going to be really nasty, for a while, wouldn’t you prefer to have the best winter-rated gear? Call it overkill or call it more comfortable, the following five products don’t come cheap, but you will be much better off than your neighbors.

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Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 23: 15 Last Minute Items to Get Before Everyone Else Does

By Suzanne Wiley   November 16, 2013

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Ice storms, blizzards and other severe winter weather can force you to stay inside your home. Before the storm hits, be prepared to go without electricity for at least three days. You should not wait until the day before weathermen predict a severe winter storm. Get last minute emergency gear now, while it is still in stock. Following is a list of 15 items to get now.

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Camping & Survival

Quick Prepper Tip: An Emergency Plan for Your Emergency Plan

By Lisa Metheny   November 16, 2013

Emergency management officials always tell you to have a Plan “A” in place in case of an emergency, and this is sound advice. However, you should also take that a step further and have a Plan “B.”

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