Urban Survival Day 58 – Stop Hydroplaning

As I mentioned yesterday I went bowling with some high school friends.  We were out all evening and I didn’t get a chance to do the survival update.  But I’ve got time today so here you go:

58)  Stop Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning can be just as dangerous as driving over ice.  Your tires lose grip with the road and you lose control of your vehicle.  “The tire essentially floats on a layer of water”.  Here are a few things recommended in the Urban Survival Guide:

Read The Clues – “When hydroplaning, the engine’s RPM sharply rises” because the wheels begin turning faster and faster with no traction.  This is one of the first things I notice when my car starts to hydroplane.  Some vehicles don’t have an RPM gauge so you may only be able to notice the change by the sound your engine makes.

Ease Up – The best thing you can do to prevent and stop hydroplaning is slow down.  Simply take your foot off the accelerator and ride it out.  Don’t slam on the brakes and don’t turn the wheel.  Both of those actions could result is further loss of control.  Slowing down should allow your tires to penetrate the water and help you regain traction.

Urban Survival Day 57 – Drive on Black Ice

Another long day today but now the weekend is here.  In honor of the weekend I’ve added the 7.62x54r links to my Ammo Availability page.  By Sunday I should have all the links up and when that happens I will go through and update what’s available in each group.  So hopefully Sunday evening everything will be complete and up to date.

57)  Drive on Black Ice

Black ice is a tricky beast.  Its invisible and extremely dangerous.  Ice completely removes your ability to control your vehicle.  You can turn and brake all you want but you wont have anything to show for it.  According to Rich Johnson in Urban Survival Guide, here are some suggestions for dealing with black ice:

Stay Home:  If the weather is bad and people are reporting black ice on the roads, its probably best to just stay home.  If you can’t however, make sure you are extremely cautious.

Go With The Flow:  Since your vehicle will be unresponsive its best to just ride it out.  Slamming on the brakes will only compound things.  Refer to yesterday’s tip, Get Out of a Skid, for more tips on how to handle a skid.

Buckle Up:    Always wear a seat belt . . . especially when the weather is bad.  If you lose control of your vehicle, you might end up needing it.

Black ice is a serious matter and you should always avoid driving over it when possible.  A few years ago, on the way to school, I watched a truck do a complete 360 behind me when it hit the patch of black ice that I was lucky enough to avoid.  Luckily the driver was unharmed and came to a stop while still on the pavement.  It could’ve been a lot worse and we both should have been going a great deal slower.  I was very lucky.

Urban Survival Day 56 – Get Out of a Skid

Today was one of the busiest days I’ve had at this job.  Couple that with last nights awful migraine and you can guess I’m fairly tired this evening.  I’ll be honest the blog wasn’t top priority today but keeping true to my word, here’s the next survival tip from the book Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.

56)  Get Out of a Skid

Everyone who has driven for a while develops a sense of safety while behind the wheel.  We get into bad habits and think that we don’t need to be paying complete attention.  One thing that can wake up even the most comfortable drivers out there is losing control of your vehicle.  “The first sign of a skid may not come until you suddenly lose control and end up heading sideways down the highway.  To regain control, try this:”

1. Avoid The Brakes:  You may be tempted to slam on the brakes as soon as you feel yourself losing control.  That’s natural because you want to slow the vehicle down.  Unfortunately, if the wheels are sliding across the pavement already, slamming on the brakes will only compound your problems.
   
2. Turn The Wheel:  While it may not make sense at first, to recover from a skid you need to turn the wheel gently in the direction of the skid.  For example, if the back of your car starts sliding to the left, turn your wheels to the left.
3. Use the Gas:  Another counter-intuitive concept when you’ve lost control of your vehicle is to use the accelerator.   You might want to slow the vehicle as quickly as possible, but lightly pushing the gas can help bring things under control.  This works because your wheels begin turning again and can start pulling your vehicle in the direction you want.  Just don’t go crazy because too much acceleration could cause you to skid even more.

I’ve been driving for 13 years now; 7 behind the wheel of a car and 6 before that when I raced go-karts.  In my opinion, the best thing anyone can do is get out there and drive.  Don’t be afraid to drive, but always be cautious.  Know what your vehicle is capable of as well as yourself.  I know that my car can handle snow (unless its really deep) and rain without any trouble but ice is a step too far.  I also know that I can recover fairly quickly if something happens.  However, even though I know I can react quickly, I know where my limits are.  I always try to avoid testing those limits when possible.  I’m always cautious and pay close attention while driving.  After all, like Tyrion Lannister, I believe there are far better ways to die than in a car accident . . .

The moral of my previous paragraph is this:  You can’t get comfortable driving unless you drive.  Practice makes perfect in every aspect of life, from guns to cars.  Recovering from a skid with little to no driving experience is probably highly unlikely.  And the odds of you remembering what you read here word for word and then applying it during a skid is even more unlikely . . .

Urban Survival Days 54 and 55 – Emergency Driving

I’ve decided to combine these two tips into one because they’re so short.  As a result, there will be no survival post tomorrow.  The good news however is that after tonight we’ll be halfway through our list of 111 survival tips/strategies.  Only 56 remain!

54)  Steer With Blown Tires

When a tire suddenly goes flat or blows out, “fight the urge to overcorrect or to slam on the brakes”.  Doing so could cause the vehicle to skid and compound your problems.

Instead of panicking, “hold the steering wheel firmly”.  Slowly back off the accelerator and turn on your signal while you attempt to maneuver toward the shoulder.  When you’re safely off the road, turn on your emergency (also called hazard or 4-way) lights to warn those approaching your vehicle.

55)  Deal With Brake Failure

Brakes are essential to the safe operation of any vehicle.  Suddenly losing them while driving is not an easy thing to prepare for but here are some things to remember.

Don’t turn off the vehicle or remove the keys – While shutting off your vehicle would be a good thing to do if the throttle was stuck, turning off the vehicle will cause the power steering to stop working as well.  Driving with no power steering is a workout to say the least.  Also, removing the keys from the ignition will lock the steering column in most vehicles, making it impossible for you to steer your way to safety.  Never remove the keys while the vehicle is in motion.

Slow down – Keep your foot off the accelerator and try to manage turns and traffic the best you can.  If possible, shift to a lower gear.  Lower gears will help slow your vehicle greatly and even vehicles with automatic transmissions are capable of doing this.  Apply the emergency brake very slowly; applying it quickly can cause you to lock the wheels up and lose control of the vehicle all together.

This post is a combination of my own knowledge and experience as well as information provided in the book Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.

Urban Survival Day 53 – Smother a Fire

This is the last of the fire safety tips I promise.  Its a really short one too.  After this we move into some vehicle safety tips that I think will be pretty interesting.  In the next week or so we should be getting into some of the more exciting tips.

53)  Smother a Fire

“Fires need three things to thrive: heat, air, and fuel”.  If you are able to remove any one of these items, the fire will go out.  One of the quickest way to extinguish a small fire is to smother it and remove the air flow.

To do this effectively you need a heavy blanket or coat that is large enough to cover the whole fire.  If its too big to cover don’t waste time trying to fight it, just get out.  If its a small fire however, take your blanket or coat and throw it over the fire.

Immediately follow that by pressing down forcefully.  If you leave your blanket or coat just lightly on top of the fire it will only help feed it.  Pressing down hard will force the air out and prevent the fire from growing.

This post is a combination of my own knowledge and opinions, as well as information found in the book Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.  Never attempt to fight a fire unless you’re certain it can be safely stopped.  Whenever possible you should get your family to safety and then immediately call 911.  Let the professionals do their job.

Urban Survival Days 50, 51, 52 – More Fire Safety

Just finished adding the 7.62×39 section to my Ammo Availability page this evening.  Go on over and check it out.  I’d love to hear feedback on the formatting so far.  Let me know if my anchors are working correctly and please let me know if any of the links are broken.  Over the next few days the other sections will be filled in as well.

50)  Use a Fire Extinguisher

In the last update we talked about how to fight a fire.  Fire extinguishers were discussed a lot so now its time we cover how to properly use a fire extinguisher.  The basic steps that you need to remember form the word PASS:  “Pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep”.

1. Pull the safety pin from the handle.
2. Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the handle in “short bursts of spray to knock down the flames and longer pulls to fully extinguish them”.
4. Sweep back and forth while spraying the fire until it is completely extinguished.

Click here to watch a video on how to use a fire extinguisher.  Often I find that videos are easier to understand.  Using a fire extinguisher is really simple, but hopefully you never need to  use one.

51)  Escape a Burning House

“The key to surviving a fire in your home is having an effective plan in place before the smoldering starts”.  Preparation is key to preventing all disasters so a fire escape plan should be the first thing on your list for fire safety.

• Know Where to Go:  The smoke produced by a fire will make it extremely difficult to see.  You’ll want to make sure that you’re very familiar with the layout of your home as well as where all the exits are.
• Stay Low:  Heat and smoke both rise.  If a fire breaks out, you need to get close to the floor.  Inhaling smoke and exposure to extreme heat can be fatal.  If possible you should also try to “cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help reduce smoke inhalation”.
• Anticipate:  When there is a fire in your home, never assume the area outside your room’s door is safe.  Touch the surface of the door and not the doorknob to check for heat.  If there is a gap under your door, look to see if there are any visible flames.  “If you have any doubts, head to a secondary exit”.
• Shun Stairs:  “If you’re trapped in an upper level of a house, get out through a window”.  Any exits above the first floor should have escape ladders ready just in case.  Stairways “can act like a chimney, funneling heat and smoke upward”.
• Don’t Be a Hero:  “Under no circumstances should you remain inside to fight a blaze”.  Don’t try to put out a fire if everyone can get out to safety.  Evacuate and call 911 immediately.  “Let the professionals take care of putting out the flames”.

52)  Stock Fire Safety Gear

In addition to the basics like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms you should have a few other things.  Consider “these fire-safety extras”:

• Collapsible Fire-Escape Ladders:  As mentioned in the tip above, stairways can become dangerous and you should never try to use them unless you have no other options.  If you have a roll-up ladder stored in each room of the upper floors, you should be good to go.  Simply open the window, hook the ladder to the windowsill, and climb down.
• Firefighter Alert Signs:  If a fire is consuming your home and you’re trapped inside, it may be impossible to communicate with those who are coming to save you.  Having stickers or signs (like the one over to the right) that can alert firefighters that children and pets are inside is a very good idea.  If they don’t know who or what is inside, they can’t know how many victims they’re looking for.
• Fire Safe:  Every home should have a safe that is both fireproof and waterproof.  You should store copies off important documents (birth certificates, property titles, sentimental items, etc) inside to keep them safe.  You can find these safes in just about every size imaginable.

This post is a combination of my own knowledge and opinions and information that is included in the book Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.  Fire safety is very important and certainly not something you should skimp on.  Spend some extra time and money to prepare before you need it and wish you had it.

Urban Survival Day 49 – Fight a Fire

Today has been extremely busy.  Work was a mess and I’ve already posted several times today.  I’m working on a new page for ammo updates as well.  So I’ll keep today’s tip as short and to the point as I can.

49)  Fight a Fire

There are many types of fires and each is handled differently.  If you didn’t know that, please keep reading because improperly “fighting” a fire could cause more harm than good.

• Common Combustibles – Wood, paper, clothing, plastics, etc.  These are common household items that can generally be put out fairly easily.  Water, smothering, or using a CO2 extinguisher are generally enough to end these types of fires.
• Flammable Liquids and Gasses – Motor oil, gasoline, solvents.  Using water on these types of fires can actually spread them.  Water will carry the liquid even while its on fire.  To take care of these types of fires, use a CO2 extinguisher.  This will remove oxygen from the air and stop the fire.  You can also smother (using a blanket or other material) fires of this nature because it does the same thing: deprives the fire of its oxygen.
• Electrical – Wires, outlets, computers, appliances.  These fires are dangerous because in addition to the danger from flames and heat, you can suffer electrical shocks.  DO NOT use water on electrical fires.  You should always use a “Class C CO2 extinguisher”.  This will keep you safely out of the fire’s path and prevent electrical shock.
• Heavy Metals – Magnesium, lithium, titanium.  While you probably wont experience this type of fire in your day to day life, its still important to know how to handle it.  These metals cause extreme heat when burning and most heavy metals will produce a toxic gas as well.  Some metals may even create an explosion if they catch fire.  To put out a fire like this you need to use a “class D extinguisher“.
• Cooking Oils – Grease, fat, oil, etc.  These fires burn “hot and fast”.  If you don’t catch these quickly they can spread to other areas of your kitchen or home.  Baking soda is most commonly recommended for dealing with fires like this.  You can also use a “class K extinguisher” which contains sodium bicarbonate.  Again, DO NOT use water on this type of fire.

As you can see, fire has many forms.  Now that you know how to deal with them you can be better prepared.  If you don’t have at least a general fire extinguisher you should definitely go buy one.  Even if you don’t have access to each “class” of extinguisher, having at least one will reduce the potential for disaster.

And if you’ve never used a fire extinguisher before, tomorrow’s update will explain how to do so.  You wont want to miss it!

This post is a combination of my own knowledge and information provided in The Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.  If you can prevent a fire from spreading you should do what you can to stop it, however you should never put yourself in danger.  Use your best judgement and if you can’t put out the fire, make sure you can get to safety.

Urban Survival Day 48 – Prevent Home Electrical Fires

By the time we finish this series of fire-based tips, we’ll all be sick of this.  So far we’ve covered two, smoke detectors and making your home “fire-safe”.  The rest of the series will include today’s, electrical fires, as well as 5 more.  If I can find a way to combine a few of the upcoming ones I will.

48)  Prevent Home Electrical Fires

Inside the walls of our homes are lots of different wires and cables.  This is what keeps your home well lit and helps it function efficiently.  Unfortunately these things can also destroy your home if you aren’t careful.

Watch The Lights:  “If lights are flickering on and off, or if they make noise or give off a smoky odor, you’ve probably got faulty wiring”.  You should have this checked out as soon as possible to avoid electrical fires.  Find a licensed electrician and have them check the wiring in your home.

Visit Your Fuse Box:  You should be very familiar with your fuse box’s location as well as its function.  If the lights cut off all of a sudden and you have to reset the breaker, you’ll want to know where it is.  While you’re familiarizing yourself with it, make sure there aren’t any terminals with multiple wires going into them.  Also, check for corrosion and ensure all the insulation around any wires is in good shape.  If not, either fix it or hire an electrician.

Pick The Right Plugs:  When possible, use electrical plugs that are grounded.  Grounded plugs and sockets have 3 prongs and are safer than those with only 2.  “If your home doesn’t have grounded outlets, have an electrician install them”.

Check For Pests:  Rodents, like mice and rats, love to chew on things, especially wires and cables.  While they might not chew entirely through a wire (though they could) they may very well remove the insulation, exposing the wire inside.  This can lead to sparks or other problems that may lead to a fire.

Always be careful when working with electricity.  Alternating current can be extremely dangerous so if you’re not trained or very well informed, don’t try to fix any electrical issues by yourself.  Waiting for an electrician to come and check things out is far better than putting your life in danger.

This post is a combination of my own opinions and information that was provided in the book, Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.  Never trust anything you read online without doing your own research.  I try to provide unbiased opinions and information that is as correct as possible but I can’t promise anything I write is safe or even correct.  Its your life so always be careful and don’t take anything for granted.

Urban Survival Day 47 – Make Your Home Fire-Safe

If you’ve been following these updates you know that yesterday I said I was going to get my smoke detectors working again.  Well I did it, so no need to worry about that now.  One less thing on my to-do list.

47)  Make Your Home Fire-Safe

“Home fires are scary stuff, but they’re largely preventable.  Follow these guidelines and fret no more”:

Watch Appliances – Keep appliances that get hot (your toaster, coffeemaker, space heater, etc) away from flammable objects and sources of water like the sink or tub.  Unplug them when not in use.  Anything that has a filter or vent should be checked and cleaned frequently as well.

Beware The Gas – If you use natural gas in your home, make sure all of your fittings are tight.  Check the pilot light often and as always, if you smell the slightest hint of gas, get your system checked by a professional immediately.  Leaks can become deadly if not repaired.

Keep A Tidy Hearth – If you use a fireplace (like we do) to heat your home, have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year before winter starts.  Be sure to keep glass doors or mesh screens in front of hearths that don’t have enclosed stoves to keep sparks in with the fire and not on your rug.

Cook Smart – “Never leave a stove burner unattended”.  Period.  It only takes a second for a fire to start and if you’re not close by to put it out things can quickly get out of hand.  “Most house fires are started by unattended stovetops”.  Don’t become just another statistic.

The book also has a quote from Rich Johnson that I’d like to share:  “A basic rule of combustion:  If it can burn, it will.  Try not to get cremated until you’re already dead”.  I thought that was a humorous way to discuss a serious matter.

Fires are very dangerous and extremely destructive.  My friend lost everything he had a while back when his house burnt down.  Insurance helps rebuild, but it doesn’t prevent, and it can never replace what’s lost.  A little bit of extra caution goes a long way.

This post is a combination of my own knowledge and opinions as well as information provided in Urban Survival Guide by Rich Johnson.  Always use your better judgement and act safely at all times.  Your home is your castle; it protects you a whole lot more than any tent ever could, so make sure you take care of it.

Urban Survival Day 46 – Install Smoke Detectors

Fire safety was a huge concern when I was in elementary school.  I remember there being many fire drills and we had firefighters as guest speakers pretty often.  We were always told to plan ahead with our families and have drills of our own.  Even with all their preaching and effort, my smoke detectors remain inoperable . . .

46)  Install Smoke Detectors

Nobody wants to be caught unprepared in a house fire, unable to reach an exit.  Early warning is essential to fire safety.  If you haven’t installed smoke detectors, or like me, haven’t replaced the batteries, here’s what you should do:

Save The Date:  Replace your detectors every 7 or 8 years. Write the date of purchase on each detector so you know when its time to replace it.

Hang It High:  Smoke rises, that’s common knowledge.  Placing your smoke detectors on the floor or eye level simply won’t do.  “Mount your detector on the ceiling away from windows and doors and at least 4 inches from the wall”.

Mount It Right:  Follow the instructions that come with your smoke detectors.  They are really easy to install, but mounting them improperly could result in less efficient detection.

Test It Often:  Smoke detectors are built wth a button to allow testing.  Simply press the button until you hear a loud beep.  You’ll know its working if you hear the noise.  If its silent, replace the batteries and test again.  If it still remains silent, replace the entire detector with a new one.

Keep The Batteries Fresh:  “If it starts making an annoying chirping sound, that’s your cue that it’s time for new juice”.  Replacing the batteries is usually pretty simple, just make sure you follow the instructions and use new batteries.

I don’t really know why we haven’t been maintaining our smoke detectors.  They used to go off a lot just because we have a wood burning stove in our house for heat.  Its smokey, that’s just part of it.  I think another reason is that we’re all so short.  Maintaining the detectors requires a ladder for us and I guess we’re just too lazy.  Of course, like all prepping, its best to take the time and be prepared than end up wishing you had prepared while you’re (hopefully) standing outside watching all your stuff burn up.

But don’t worry, “Fix smoke detectors” has been moved to the very top of my to-do list.  If I survive the night without a fire, I intend to fix them tomorrow evening after work.

This post is a combination of my own opinions and information provided in Urban Survival Guide, by Rich Johnson.  I don’t claim to be an expert and you should always do your own research before implementing anything you read online.