Halfords Autocentres Winter Survival Guide 01 THE MOTORIST’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING SNOW, ICE, RAIN, AND RELATIVES 02 Halfords Autocentres Winter Survival Guide 03 CONTENTS // Introduction .........................................................................................................................................04 Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... 05 Winter Motoring Essentials Planning & Preparation .............................................................................................................. 06 Equipment ...................................................................................................................................... 08 Rain How to prevent aquaplaning ...................................................................................................... 10 How to ford deep water ................................................................................................................ 12 How to escape from a sinking car ............................................................................................. 14 Ice How to drive in wintery conditions .......................................................................................... 16 How to avoid a skid ...................................................................................................................... 18 How to avoid slips when walking ............................................................................................... 20 Snow How to get out of deep snow ........................................................................................................22 How to recognise & treat hypothermia ....................................................................................24 How to attract attention & raise the alarm ............................................................................. 26 General How to survive a traffic jam .......................................................................................................28 How to give first aid following a collision ................................................................................. 30 How to sleep in your car ............................................................................................................. 32 How to survive Christmas with the in-laws ............................................................................34 John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman Biography ................................................................................................... 36 04 Introduction INTRODUCTION // In a recent study more than a third of motorists told Halfords Autocentres that they were anxious about driving in the deteriorating weather conditions of winter – with one in ten admitting to being genuinely frightened. So, amid falling temperatures and rising levels of concern among drivers, Halfords Autocentres has worked with renowned survival expert, former SAS Sergeant Major and author of the best-selling SAS Survival Handbook John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman to create the ultimate Motoring Survival Guide. Over the following pages Halfords Autocentres, together with Lofty, hope to share some invaluable advice that will help you avoid being caught out this winter. From preparing your car and avoiding aquaplaning, to fording water, getting out of deep snow and how to treat hypothermia – it’s all in here. We hope you enjoy reading our Motoring Survival Guide as much as we’ve enjoyed compiling it and wish you many miles of trouble-free winter motoring. THE HALFORDS AUTOCENTRES TEAM Halfords Autocentres Winter Survival Guide 05 FOREWORD // During my time in the military I drove pretty much every vehicle with wheels (as well as few without them) across every terrain and in the most severe weather conditions imaginable. I’ve also written several guides on survival techniques and delivered hundreds of training courses on the subject, but there are two things I cannot teach – common sense and experience. Common sense is taking advice and listening to the experts. Experience is what you get when you don’t! So, in this guide I hope to share some of the common sense knowledge I have built up through my experiences and – together with some sage advice from Halfords Autocentres – give motorists some tips on how to handle different situations that they may encounter this winter (and in some cases how to avoid them). For most people ‘survival’ conjures up images of being stranded on a mountain peak, in the desert, or shipwrecked in the tropics. However, the reality is that every time you get behind the wheel and fasten your seatbelt you are (whether consciously or not) giving yourself a greater chance of survival. I hope you find this Winter Motoring Survival Guide useful and informative. Most importantly I hope you follow the advice it contains. John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman 06 Winter Motoring Essentials Planning & Preparation WINTER MOTORING ESSENTIALS // PLANNING One in five motorists perform no checks at all on their car in preparation for winter driving – whilst half of those that do check wait until the temperatures plunge – which could be too late. Figure 1.1 Winter Motoring - Planning Halfords Autocentres Winter Survival Guide 07 Because winter driving is particularly demanding on cars, it is vital that a thorough vehicle check is performed before the cold weather strikes to minimise drivers’ chances of being stranded in particularly unpleasant conditions. • Tyres – make sure your tyres are inflated • Fuel – always keep your fuel tank topped-up to correctly and that you have sufficient tread make sure that you have more than sufficient on your tyres to cope with wet and slippery fuel for your journey. Allow for traffic delays, conditions. potential detours and the need to keep warm • A new car tyre begins life with (see section on how to sleep in your car) . approximately 8mm of tread and the Running a tank right down to empty can minimum legal limit is 1.6mm across allow deposits at the bottom into your engine the central ¾ of the tyre. However, causing damage. independent research shows that tyres with 3mm of tread have an average • Light-up – ensure all front and rear lights 25% better performance than those at are working and free from dirt and snow. 1.6mm (equivalent to an extra 8 metres An estimated 2.6 million cars are being stopping distance in wet conditions). driven illegally on the roads with defective lights - significantly increasing the risk of • Battery – in winter the increased use of an accident. lights, blowers, wipers, heated seats and other electrical devices place additional demands • Visibility – check that your screen wash on your car’s battery and charging system. reservoir is full of a good quality product rated Charge your battery (particularly if you make to a low enough temperature (-5 may be fine frequent short journeys that don’t replenish for most of the year but consider replacing its charge) and consider a battery check if it with -10 or -20 during the winter months). appears to be struggling to cope. Also ensure that your wiper blades are in good condition and clear your screen properly. • On the level – make sure your car’s oil and water are at the optimum levels and recheck Because almost half of motorists don’t know how to them regularly. Make sure that you also have perform these vital checks, Halfords Autocentres sufficient anti-freeze in your cooling system to offer a winter inspection service from just £12.95 and protect the engine when temperatures drop. this includes a free consumer pack worth £10. SURVIVAL TIP: In the military we call checking over the vehicle you are about to drive away ‘first parade’. (Lofty) 08 Winter Motoring Essentials Equipment WINTER MOTORING ESSENTIALS // EQUIPMENT The majority of the UK has been colder than Stockholm for at least three weeks during the past five winters and many experts are warning that blizzards, extreme cold and record-breaking snowfall lie ahead. Figure 2.1 Winter Motoring Essentials - Equipment Halfords Autocentres Winter Survival Guide 09 The best defence against the elements is forward planning and those drivers that carry the right equipment with them in their cars are more likely to remain safe and mobile. There are some things that can be found in the home that should be considered essential: • Food – non-perishable, high-energy food and traffic mean journeys can take longer so make snacks such as chocolate or nuts are best. Plus sure you have the means to carry/collect more bottled water and a hot drink in a flask to keep fuel if needed. you hydrated. • Tyre Snow Grip – a temporary spray on snow • Warm clothes – including a waterproof jacket, chain that improves traction on ice, snow and hat, scarf and gloves. wet surfaces when you have dug your way out. • Practical footwear – sturdy walking boots or • Universal Multigrip Snow Socks – a wellingtons should be carried in case you need lightweight but durable alternative to snow to continue on foot. chains that can be fitted in 2 minutes to • Mobile phone – keep your mobile charged provide you with grip in deeper snow and on and ensure you have any emergency numbers icy roads. (e.g. breakdown service provider) with you. • Halfords First Aid Kit – also contains a fire • Vehicle handbook – full of useful information extinguisher because stationary traffic can so keep it in the car with you. lead to engine overheating, plus a thermal blanket should you become stranded.