This is a sad story, with an ironic twist. You should never leave your car, as Tom mentioned, but the searchers saw his footprints and followed his trail back to the car, where they discovered the family. Had he not left, they may or may not have found the car in time.
If you live anywhere where the temps hit freezing or below, you should have a survival kit in your car. Up until a few years ago, I always had one of these in my car. When I did the 8-hr drive from home to college in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I wouldn't have dreamed of leaving without it, but fortunately, I never had to use it. I think it's time to put one together again. -Carla Coffee can survival kit for winter driving You easily can equip your vehicle with essential survival gear for winter. Here's what you'll need: * A 2 or 3 pound metal coffee can (punch 3 holes at the top of can, equal distance apart). You'll be storing the other items inside the can. * 60-inch length of twine or heavy string (cut into 3 equal pieces - used to suspend can). * 3 large safety pins (tie string to safety pins and pin to car roof interior to suspend can over candle). * 1 candle 2" diameter (place on lid under suspended can for melting snow). Used inside of can for safety, can provide a small amount of heat. * 1 pocket knife, reasonably sharp (or substitute with scissors). * 3 pieces of bright cloth 2" wide x 36" long (tie to antenna or door handle). * Several packets of soup, hot chocolate, tea, bouillon cubes, etc. (mixed into melted snow to provide warmth and nutrition). * Plastic spoon * 1 small package of peanuts (provides protein) and fruit-flavored candy (orange slices, jelly beans, etc. - avoid chocolate). Granola bars are excellent, also. * 1 pair of socks and 1 pair of gloves or glove liners, depending on what will fit in the can (cotton is not recommended because it provides no insulation when wet). * 2 packages of book matches. * 1 sun shield blanket or 2 large green or black plastic leaf bags (to reflect body heat). * 1 pen light and batteries (keep separate). * Plastic whistle -- they can be heard for a mile or more, farther than the human voice carries. When complete, place stocking cap over kit and carry in passenger compartment of car. If you have a 3 pound can, you will still have additional room for band-aids, aspirin, small radio, etc. If there is still room left, increase the quantity of any of the above items or improvise items you feel might be necessary. Additional items you may want to include: * Large plastic garbage bag. * Orange poncho. Can be used to protect from weather, or spread out on the ground can easily be seen from the air. * Pencil stub and paper. * 2 quarters and 2 dimes for telephone calls. $20 for emergency gas. * Chemical hand warmers. Only good for one use, but often can provide 8 hours of heat and could prevent frostbite. * Keep a large bag or two of kitty litter in the trunk of the car. It's inexpensive, and if you have rear wheel drive, it acts as additional weight for traction. If you get stuck, it can be used to provide traction under the tires to help get you out. You may want to keep the survival kit in the passenger compartment in case you go into a ditch and can't get to or open the trunk. - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. ______________________________________________ Are you a Help Authoring Trainer or Consultant? Let clients find you at www.HAT.Matrix.com, the searchable HAT database based on Char James-Tanny's HAT Comparison Matrix. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for details. Interested in Interactive 3D Documentation? Get the scoop at http://www.doc-u-motion.com -- your 3D documentation community. _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
