We just had 2 20 year old college kids freeze to death during last Wednesday's snow storm. They got stuck 4 wheeling in a new truck. With winds chills of -20F they left the truck and tried to walkout. About 2 am they called 911 and for the next 2 hours the cops tried to locate them, but could not. Now they were lost and could not find the truck. In the mean time they took shelter in a 3 sided leanto, but left that when they started to get cold. They found the guy Friday afternoon. Her body still has not been recovered. The only warm clothes he had on was a hooded sweatshirt and he was wearing tennis shoes. Air temp was 0F, wind chill -20F, visability near zero.

Winter is alot of fun for us blue blooded Northerners, but you must respect mother nature and be prepared if you have to spend time outside. Everyone, please be careful out there! Do you have a backup plan if you get stuck or breakdown? Blankets, candles, food, boots?

Any other suggestions or comments?

 

stay with the truck.... It was foolish to try and walk out. The truck would have afforded shelter and heat.

 

I always have 2 or 3 wool blankets in the tool box. In winter if I travel anywhere I pack heavy clothing. Always have flares with me as they make a great fire starter for "just in case". If you get lost, stay put unless circumstances prevent you from doing so. Seen many people get lost, try and find their way and all they do is walk in circles.

 

Holy Jeezus...RIP....(moment of silence)....*Takes off his hat*

Let there be good to come....Just remember fellas If you go wheeling bring supplies to keep you alive, and STAY WITH YOUR TRUCK! Bring food, water, alcohol, blankets, extra fuel, and other survival things such as flashlights, batteries, a knife or multi-tool (Leatherman) Etc.

Dom

 

Deezle1...

Here's a little gif for ya: Just right click and save target as...

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As for winter survival, "Thanks to the military" we had some training in this area, I just wish they would get stuff like what we learned out to the general public!

Here's a few links to info that may give you some additional info for what to do if this should happen to you:

Emergency Winter Shelter 1

Emergency Winter Shelter 2

Emergency Winter Shelter 3

 

They should have called for help immediately. A GPS would have helped so they could give their exact position.

Edwin

 

I recently switched cell phone companies - moved to Nextel and my new phone is equipt with a GPS - great for situations like this but it's also a pain - if I have to call 911, CHP immediately knows my exact location!

 

Yah they should of stayed in the truck My aunt lost control over by chemult Ore wen't off the road and her car had buried it self in the snow she just stayed in it and kept it running till it was light out and found her way back.
That is truly sad So young so much more to live for and were just out having fun

 

ArcticWolf,

You don't know how much that means to me.
Thank you so much,
Dom

 

I shed a tear for those lost, MIA,POW, and all those affected,

Dom

 

A true Tragedy. Seems so impossible???? Obviously they had a cell if they called 911???

You would think they would stay with the truck!!!

About a year ago I was foolish enough to try and make a trek home through one of the worst snow storms I've ever seen.

Of course I'm young and invincible right?? The laws of nature or physics don't apply to me. Tough man. Can drive through anything.

I ended up stuck on my own road right in the centre of the road in the middle of the night!!!! I was only about three miles from home. I crawled out through the window of the truck to check the situation out. (snow was too deep to open the doors)

I had a shovel. Extra clothes. Granola bars. A tarp and a sleeping bag So I was perfectly fine until morning.

I dug the exhaust clear and ran the truck for heat. I will admit it was just a little scary though.

Of course my next fear was a snowplow would come along and cream my almost completely buried truck.!

 

If its that cold, you definitely need to have the essential clothes as if you were to walk.

I have a rubbermaid kit in my truck with a "winter Survival Kit" I got from NAPA. Bib Coveralls (lined of course) -40 Sorel boots, mitts (not gloves) beleclava, sweat pants, sweater, shovel. The kit has all the other junk, foil blankets, candles yada yada.

You guys are right, stay with the truck. Tool had a good point about clearing around your exhaust and always keep a window cracked for fresh air.

Also if the weather is that bad, I always run on the top 1/2 of the tank of fuel. You never know if you are going to need it to run all night.

DON'T PANIC... Thats when you make poor decisions, everyone gets stuck.

 

Exactly..... The don't panic thing is key.

Obviously the two unfortunate souls in this scenario paniced and that was the fatal flaw. They would have been perfectly fine if they just stayed with the truck.

 

Update: After searching for 3 days have not found the girl.
People are really starting to ask questions as to why the 911 dispatcher did not call in volunteer firemen in the search when they were alive. They could have had about 40 4 wheel drive vehicles with lights and sirens looking for these kids. You can hear sirens along ways away and see the flashing lights. The phone time they had could have been put to better use. Its easy to come up with a better plan after they are dead. Just plain sad.

 

My though too.... You would have thought they'd get more support from the 911 operator.

My latest cell has GPS capabilities built in for such emergencies. But even through conventional cell technology they can get a rough location on you. As was allready mentioned search vehicles with lights and sirens may have saved these kids lives.

I guess hind sight is 20-20 but still.......