This article was taken partly from another article that was published in the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Newsletter.

While most of the readers of the Rucksack have enough knowledge to survive in the backcountry we still need to get there. With severe winter weather just around the corner, life has to adjust to the cold, the snow and the ice -- and the dangers of hypothermia -- or even frostbite. The following article gives a few hints about surviving with your car or truck should you break down or get stranded on a backcountry road this winter.

With modern cars and trucks, few drivers give much thought to being stranded in winter on some out-of-the-way road, but it can happen and when it does it can be traumatic unless simple precautions have been taken. Travelers should always leave word with a responsible person as to where they are going, the route being taken and the time of the expected return. This is important whether it is for a trip in a motorized vehicle, for hunting, fishing, backpacking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or just camping. In the event of failure to return as expected, law enforcement may be alerted and help may be available quickly.

The prudent traveler will, of course, be sure that his vehicle, whether car, truck, or snowmobile, is tuned up, has a full tank of gasoline and is in mechanically good condition before venturing off the beaten path into areas which may become hazardous under unstable winter conditions. Any parts of a mechanized vehicle not working well will almost certainly fail at the worst possible time.

Vehicle travelers should be aware that even a fully-charged battery will deliver only 60% of its starting ability when temperatures drop to zero. Special attention should be paid to anti-freeze, belts, hoses, tires, brakes and even the exhaust system. Check the heater, defroster and the windshield wipers.

The winter driver should be alert and prepared. A road that looks clear and dry can ice over quickly. A fraction of an inch of snow can create havoc. Slamming on the brakes can bring a car to a quick stop on dry summer pavement but in the winter this reaction can increase the danger.

A driver needs to get the feel of the road. To tell how much traction is available, accelerate carefully to see if the wheels spin, then brake gently to see if the car skids. If either situation occurs, slow down and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.

Skids sometimes cannot be avoided, but a sudden movement of the car can contribute to the problem. Don't suddenly speed up, turn sharply or brake on slippery surfaces.

If traveling on backcountry roads, if a car becomes stalled and snowbound during a storm and a house or nearby light cannot be seen, the occupants should stay in the vehicle and protect themselves from the cold in any way they can. If word has been left with friends (and it should have been) as to the destination, route and time of arrival or return, searchers soon can be out looking for the vehicle. A car is much easier to find in a storm than a person on foot. Lives are lost every year during storms by persons leaving their vehicles, many often found only after the snow melts.

Run the engine and heater sparingly. Clear snow from around the radiator and exhaust pipe to guard against an overheated engine and to avoid carbon monoxide. Keep a window away from the wind cracked for fresh air. Never sleep with the engine running -- to avoid possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Ration any food and drink and conserve energy. Low temperatures are the real killers.

Needless to say, the vehicle should be equipped with miscellaneous tools, spare tire, jack, tire chains in good condition that fit, a heavy rope or tow cable, jumper cables, a shovel ( a short garden spade will do), bags filled with sand for traction, an axe and a flashlight. Flares might be most useful as could a colored plastic tarp for signaling. Duct tape comes in handy for temporarily repairing leaking radiator hoses and for other repairs. A window scraper, preferably one with a brush to remove snow, is a necessity.

Drinking water should be taken in a thermos bottle (to prevent freezing). Eating snow for water invites overall cooling of the body and possible hypothermia. "Munching food" that freezing will not damage may be most welcome. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they tend to lower the body temperatures, possibly resulting in hypothermia or even frostbite.

Protection in the way of blankets or sleeping bags should be taken by anyone traveling on backcountry roads in the event the engine stalls to protect occupants against cold temperatures. A first-aid kit may prove to be indispensable.

Persons leaving the comfort of their vehicles for travel in the backcountry should always carry the ten essentials and a pack with everything needed to survive in the wilderness for at least a couple of days. This should always include warm, dry clothes, extra food and a tent.

While most of us think only of our cars and trucks as transportation, on a back road in the middle of a blizzard they may become an efficient shelter if you prepare them for the trip as well as yourself.

These minutes as published are unofficial and subject to approval at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Convened 19:38.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Alan Givotovsky, Fran Martoglio, John Kirkman, Chris Berryman, Gus Bush, Ken Capron, Stan Kartes, Bill Weber.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeff Sharp, Steve Medeiros, Rod Scott, Jim Andrues, Steve Platt.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Victor Caro

• Monthly report accepted as presented for 11-1-00 through 11-30-00 (Full report is attached to the official meeting minutes.)
• Victor was absent. Alan read the report.

KIT REPORT: Tracy Berryman

• Sales for the month of November are attached to the official meeting minutes.
• Chris read the report.

OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush

• One mission Nov. 6^th, lost hunter.

TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton

• At the general meeting, 18 people attended the ELT training and 9 people attended the Field ELT training.
• December training will be Crime Scene Management, and Field training will be SAR Management.
• First Aid & CPR will be Feb.7, 2001 and practical MOFA training will be Feb. 10 & 11, 2001. The cost of the MOFA course is $60. Chris made a motion that the Unit pay for each member that passes the course, and it was passed.

EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron

• Ken discussed the service of the truck.
• Yellow webbing is still on order.
• Ken purchased new batteries for the avalanche transceivers.
• The truck has new tabs and has passed the emissions test.

COMMUNICATIONS: Stan Kartes

• Stan has the new radios in the truck.

SAFETY & EDUCATION: Rick Wire

• Chris and Ken talked to the Boy Scouts about safety in the woods.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Chris Berryman

• Jim Eustace was voted in as a Field Support member.
• Chris made a motion to raise the Unit's membership fees to $20/yr effective Jan. 1,2001, and it was passed.

FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber

• No activity. No report.

SARVAC: Wendy Stefaniak

• No meeting. No activity.

MAST: Bill Weber

• No activity. No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Chris discussed Cache improvements. He made a motion for funds to continue the improvements, and it was passed. Thanks to all who donated their time.
• The Unit's stores is still in transition with Steve Mederios. Ken Capron made a motion to allocate $100 for coffee mugs to be sold, and it was passed.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Gus discussed Tim Kovac's usage of footage of TMRU's helicopter rescues for a Helicopter Symposium.
• Alan discussed policy changes by the MRA to delete Policy 101.A8 and Policy 702.
• Chris made a motion to accept the proposals suggested by the MRA, and it was passed.
• Fran discussed working with the staff of Mt. Rainier National Park on an interpretive display on the building of the Schurman Hut.
• Fran made a motion to pay for 3 additional people at the Avalanche training, and it was passed.

Meeting Adjourned at 21:30

Respectfully yours,

John Kirkman, Secretary

The following members attended the Kit party on December 6:

John Simac
Ken Capron
Bill Weber
Mike Mixon
Dale Hammerschmidt

They assembled new kits and re-packed a few rattlers. Due to personnel overload with the Cache remodel, only 5 people worked and quit early:

John Simac brought the Unit's third president to visit, Ray Costello. Ray was the first commander of heli-rescue and was shipped to Vietnam after only 4 months as Unit president.

The Kit parties are held from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M., the first Wednesday at the Cache. If you need directions, call 531-2120. We need your help.

©Copyright 2000 Tacoma Mountain Rescue