C13 - Wednesday, November 30, 1983 - North Shore News Cold weather caution saves life THE TEMPERATURE was around thirty below with a stiff wind one Sunday morning in January. There was little snow on the ground so my father wore only leather shoes as well as a topcoat, hat and gloves for the eight-mile ride into town from our farm near Medicine Hat. I’d like to be able to say that he was hurrying to the morning worship but he’d probably run out of cigarettes. At that time, the farms were scattered along the highway at about one mile in- tervals, many of them well back of the road. On a frigid Sunday morning the highway was deserted and with the wind blowing what little snow there was and the frosty haze that accompanies very low temperatures, Dad couldn’t see more than a few yards past the ditch on either side of the road. He was glad there was no traffic because cars on that stretch tend to go like ‘‘a bat out of hell.’’ With po warning, his car engine stopped dead and the vehicle coasted to a stop. He pulled the car as far as he could onto the shoulder of the road and lifted the hood. No mechanic, strictly a gentleman farmer, he couldn’t see anything ob- viously wrong but repeated tries left the engine just as dead as before. He knew that he couldn’t attempt the walk to the nearest farmhouse, even if he knew which way to go. Dress- ed as he was, the cold would have killed him in a few minutes. He switched on the car’s flashers, huddled in his overcoat, wrapping the dog’s blanket from the back seat around his head and neck. travel- wise by Barbara McCreadie He was unconscious when a passing car stopped. In another few minutes, he’d have died. Winter has arrived and with it, ski season at remote mountains. Soon, whole families will be piling into cars to visit with relatives and fnends for Christmas. Often, these people will be totally unprepared if something goes wrong with their cars or Mother Nature throws a bliz- zard in their direction. Plann- ing the trip, more thought is given to wrapping gifts or waxing skis than survival in emergencies. A stranded car will lose most of its heat within minutes. A stranded traveller would find more warmth and shelter in a snowbank than in a vehicle. What should you carry with you to assist you in sur- viving an emergency? - Warm clothing and boots (down filled jackets are ideal). Thick hats, scarves and mittens are essential. The greatest percentage of body heat is lost through an un- protected head. - Winter weight down-filled sleeping bags have saved the lives of many stranded motorists. - Food and drink. Hot beverages packed in insulted containers will resist freezing for many hours. The body meeds calories to keep up energy and heat. The concen- trated starch and fats in trail bars, chocolate bars and fruitcakes is ideal. Don’t touch alcohol even if you’ve got a trunkful of bottles. It speeds circulation in the capillanes close to the skin and assists in heat depletion. - Flares. Surround your car with them and if you’re extra careful, have some to shoot. - Fluorescent tape. Use it to mark ‘‘HELP’’ on back, front and top of your car. - AC.B. radio would be nice. What should you do if an emergency occurs? - Unless you can see signs of life in the near distance, you're probably best to stay with your car. - Bundle up in everything you’ve got to wear. - Set out your flares and markers as quickly and effi- ciently as you can. Movement dissipates heat so don't waste your energy. - Get everything you'll need out of your trunk at the start. Have your food and drink within reach. - Make sure your car is as far as possible onto the shoulder of the road and that your flares aren’t covered by blow- ing snow. Many drivers have been killed by approaching vehicles unable to see their car in time. - Don’t panic, someone is bound to come along. When you fail to arrive at your destination at the proper time someone will check. You did tell someone, didn’t you? “You also told someone that you’d motify them of your safe arrival, didn't you? - Pay particular attention to children. They have less body fat and more of their skin surface is exposed compared to an adult. - Sf your only beverages are tuunned, take the tins under your clothes to keep them from freezing. It can be a lifesaver if sox meone in your party. 3s-Ccon- stantly monitoring the road map and watching for land- WAIKIKI Alb onty WAIKIKI $459 8 Days, 7 Nights An & Hotel LAS VEGAS $305 5 Days. 4 Nights. Air & Hotel RENO $249 5 Days, 4 Nights, Air & Hotel TORONTO 199 Departures starting Oct. 27 MAPLE LEAF TRAVEL 736-3555 Rog. Agent 157-3 marks. People have frozen to death only a short distance from shelter. Keep a check on radio broadcasts for advance warning of changes in road and weather conditions. A traveller can get into trouble on any of the main highways. Back roads can be doubly dangerous and anyone venturing on them during heavy weather had better be prepared! AT LOW WAREHOUSE PRICES Le Foe DIFFERENCE VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM COLONY HOME FURNISHINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 1075 Roosevelt Cres. (behind the Avaton) open Mon -Sat trom 9 am to 5.30 p 985-8738