NOAA Weather Radios

NOAA Weather Radios have been mentioned in several posts.  So just what is NOAA and why should I bother listening to NOAA Weather Radio?  NOAA stands for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service.  NOAA weather radios will only be useful to residents or travelers in the United States and its territories.   The broadcast service is NOAA Weather Radio or NWR.  NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural disasers (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental problems (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).  NWR includes 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories.

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can only be received by radios specially equipped to receive the NOAA frequencies.  Specialized radios that receive ONLY NOAA weather broadcasts are available, starting at about $20 . Enter "NOAA Weather Radio" into your favorite search engine and you'll be rewarded with hundreds of possibilities.  Some CB, HAM,, survival radios, and even some car radios include access to NOAA channels.

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   The forecast repeats every few minutes.  That means you don't have to sit there waiting for a local radio station to get around to doing the weather. You can tune in immediately and get current forecasts and alerts. The best NOAA radios will respond to alerts and turn themselves on (from stand by mode) so you don't miss an important change in weather conditions.  An even more sophisticated service called Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) allows users to program some specially equipped radios to specific geographical areas instead of entire regions.  Some of the newer radios have LED displays that indicate the type of alert so you can tell at a glance if it is something you need to pay immediate attention to.

NOAA Weather Radio channels may be built into some dash-mounted car radios and CB radios. Many HAM radios can be tuned to NOAA Weather Radio frequencies if you know what they are (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550).  Stand alone units range from small, hand-held models, to more sophisticated and expensive "base station" designs intended for desk or office use.  Base stations might be suitable for RV applications where you'll have 120 volt power available to operate them and will give you more power and greater range.  Hand-held models can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle, used in camp, or even carried on the trail.   I have an older Radio Shack battery powered radio that is a cube of about 2 1/2" and has a built-in telescoping antenna.  It works really well in camp, but is not designed to withstand the rigors of being carried in pocket or pack.  Portable hand-held models are designed to be carried in a pocket or pack and would be very useful on the trail.

Types of broadcasts.  There are several different types of informational broadcasts transmitted on NOAA Weather Radio.  The major categories include alerts, routine forecast products (hourly observations, hazardous weather outlook, zone forecast product, regional weather synopsis, and the daily climate summary), Specialty Forecast Products (Short term or "NOW" forecast, special weather statements, tabular state forecast, record information announcement, surf zone forecast, river forecast, lake forecast, coastal waters forecast, off shore waters forecast, and tropical weather summary).   The NOAA Weather Radio also participates in the Emergency Alert System and runs a test every Wednesday between 10:00 AM and noon.  For detailed descriptions of each product see the definition of NOAA Weather Radio on Wikipedia.

The benefits of having  NOAA Weather Radio in camp on on the trail are pretty obvious.  You always have immediate access to up to date weather conditions and forecast.  Knowing what is coming can make the difference between an disaster and simply weathering out the storm.

Listen up!

Monitoring The Weather While Camping or Boating

How often have we heard or even experienced the cliche of rain spoiling the picnic?  Sometimes this problem can be avoided by paying appropriate attention to the weather forecast or just by keeping a close eye on the sky.  NOAA weather radios and local radio stations can be a good source for regional weather forecast but you can't beat the experience of local or frequent visitors to a particular location for good weather information.

Weather is very likely to be of more concern to you when camping than it is at home.  At home we usually just adjust the thermostat and wait out bad weather.   You may have to adjust your wardrobe if you're going outside depending on the weather forecast, but mostly we move from one climate controlled indoor space to another, usually via climate controlled vehicles, so weather isn't so critical.  Whether you're camping in a tent or a luxury RV, weather will affect your comfort, your travel plans, and your activities.  A comfortable RV will usually provide adequate protection from the elements as long as you don't run out of resources, like fuel or battery power.  Tent campers are far more affected by weather and usually can do little about it but endure it or pack it up and go home. However, if you are properly prepared, you can be comfortable in your RV or your tent in just about any kind of weather.   In order to be prepared, you need to know what to expect.  Maintaining a comfortable temperature in a tent will be more difficult than in an RV, but if you are properly prepared, you can at least make it bearable.  You might be able to retire to your vehicle to keep warm in particularly nasty weather.  Or at least you can dress to stay warm.  But first you have to know what kind of weather to expect, then how to deal with it.  If you left home in warm sunny weather and only brought light clothes you'll have a hard time keeping warm if it turns cold and/or rains.

Weather can be even more of a problem for boaters.   Wind and rain can really wreak havoc when you are out on the water.  Thunderstorms are an even greater threat to boaters than to land-lubbers, especially if you are in a sailboat with a tall mast.

Check the forecast before you leave home.  The first step is to check your local forecast before you even leave home.  Your local newspaper, radio and TV stations, and weather sites on the Internet are good places to get some idea of what to expect.  My favorite Internet weather source is Weatherbug. It can be accessed on at Weatherbug.com.   It is also available as a downloadable gadget that constantly monitors the local weather forecast.  It constantly displays the current temperature on the status bar of your PC and sounds a chirping sound when an alert is posted for your selected area.   It includes a forecast up to 7 days.  Be aware that the Weatherbug gadget was once considered to be adware but the latest buzz on the 'net says it isn't far enough across the line to warrant concern.  Once you know the weather forecast for where you're going you can decide whether to proceed with your trip or not and, if you decided to go anyway, what kind of preparations you need.  What you bring along will vary greatly depending on the forecast. "Heat wave" will dictate light weight clothing coupled with cooling techniques, cold beverages, and frozen treats.   On the other hand, a prediction of cold and/or wet weather requires warm clothing, rain gear, extra blankets,  auxiliary heat, and warm treats.

Weather watches versus warnings etc.  There seems to be some confusion about the terms "watch" and "warning".   Many people use the terms interchangeably -- and incorrectly.  Each has a specific and somewhat different meaning.  A "watch" means conditions are right for a chance of the indicated condition.   A "warning" means the condition is happening or is likely to happen.  A third alert, "advisory" is sort of between a watch and a warning, indicating the specified weather has a "pretty good chance" of occurring.   A watch means keep your eye out for the condition; an advisory means REALLY keep your eye out and start making preparations; a warning means it is happening or its probably happening and you should be taking immediate steps to protect lives and property.  For example, when you hear a tornado warning for you area, seek safe shelter IMMEDIATELY!  If it is just a watch, start making preparations so you'll be ready when the warning is issued.  Make sure you know where you and your family are going to go and that you have necessary supplies prepared (food, water, clothing, flashlights, tools, etc).  For example, a tornado watch means conditions are right for tornadoes to form and a tornado warning means tornadoes have been sighted in the area.  In short, a watch condition means start making preparations; a warning means take cover NOW!  When I hear an advisory I figure it is time to get ready to take cover and to closely monitor ongoing reports.  Your tent or even your RV isn't going to provide sufficient protection against tornadoes.  If you are in areas where tornadoes occur, check to see if there is a shelter nearby or look for someplace relatively save, like under an underpass.  Basements or cellars usually offer the best protection within buildings but if you are in a building that doesn't have them, go into closet or bathroom without windows.  A bathroom has the advantage of some additional structural integrity due the plumbing in the walls.  Bathrooms are usually fairly small and have small windows, which also makes them less susceptible to wind and changes in air pressure that accompany tornadoes.  However, tornadoes bring a sudden drop in air pressure which can cause buildings filled with air at normal pressure to explode.

Monitor weather forecasts in camp or on the water by listening to a local radio station or using a NOAA weather radio.  The NOAA weather radio provides continuous local weather reports in most areas of the United States.  If you have satellite or wifi Internet access or a Smart phone you can check weather on your favorite web sites too.  One of the things I like about the Weatherbug app on my computer is that it "chirps" whenever there is any kind of severe weather indicated for my area.

Keep an eye on the sky.  Regardless of the forecast, keep an eye on the sky.  Invest a little time online or in the library learning a little about clouds and what they mean . Cloud forms and movement are pretty good indicator of pending weather.  You can also get printed scales that let you estimate wind speed by observing the movement of leaves, branches, flags, etc.   Check it out at Estimating Wind Speed.  For example, if the flag is fully extended and makes a popping sound, the wind is about 30 mph.  If you're camped where you can hear crickets, you can estimate the temperature by counting cricket chirps.  For the temperature in Fahrenheit, count the chirps in 14 seconds and add 40.  For example, 30 chirps in 14 seconds plus 40 = 70°F. For Celsius, count the chirps in 25 seconds, divide by 3, and add 4.  Example: 48 chirps in 25 seconds divided by 3 = 16 plus 4 = 20°C.   Know what direction weather usually comes from and note any changes in clouds in that direction.  Large, dark, roiling clouds will usually bring rain or snow and sometimes thunderstorms fairly soon.  High cirrus clouds (high wispy clouds) in and of themselves seldom produce any precipitation but are usually the leading edge of an approaching weather system that may bring rain or snow within a few hours.   A low, even overcast may dampen your spirits but usually doesn't dampen anything else very much.   Fog will inhibit visibility and condensation may dampen awnings, tents, table clothes, camp chairs, and OHV seats.

Talk to the locals.   People who live or work or frequent a particular area get used to the weather patterns and can often be a good source for predicting what is going to happen in the near future.  Since camping destinations are often on or near mountains, be aware that mountains often create their own local weather that won't show up on regional forecasts.  The same is often true of large bodies of water.

Develop some weather prediction skills of your own.   Predict-the-Weather-Without-a-Forecast is a web site with some simple lessons for predicting the weather using only what you see or feel around you by observing clouds, wind, and/or animal behavior.  Clouds are probably your most obvious source of weather information.  High, wispy clouds or no clouds usually indicate good weather while low, dark, roiling clouds signal a storm.  An even, gray overcast usually doesn't produce rain or snow but often means cooler temperatures.  Interestingly enough, a clear sky at night usually means cooler temperatures too.

"Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning, red sky at night, sailor's delight" is an old weather proverb that may actually have some scientific basis.  Sunlight reflecting off clouds may indicate rain or shine depending on where the clouds are and from which direction weather usually comes.  In the northern latitudes, weather usually moves from west to east, thus the "red sky" predictions.   This same phenomenon is captured in the Holy Bible: "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say: There cometh a shower: and so it is" (Luke 12:54) and "When it is evening ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, it will be foul weather today:  for the sky is red and lowering" (Matt. 16:2–3).  Moist air will create a yellow or gray sky sunset and dry air will yield a crimson sky (Red at night, sailor delight, assuming weather is coming from the west where it normally comes from due to the Earth's rotation.

Leaves sometimes are a pretty good indicator of pending rain.  Two trees are particularly known for this:  Silver Maples and Gensus Oaks.   The change in barometric pressure due to an approaching storm will cause the leaves to turn over so their light undersides are exposed. This has to do with variations in the veins on the front and back of the leaves and how they respond to changes in pressure.  Essentially they are natural barometers.  Low pressure usually means rain; high pressure usually means clear skies.

Clear nights, cold days is another folk proverb that appears to have some validity.  Clear nights also tend be colder than cloudy ones since the lack of clouds allows heat from the ground to escape more easily.

If a circle forms 'round the moon, it will rain very soon.  The presence of high-level cirrus clouds often means rain is on the way and such clouds can cause a "circle 'round the moon" you can see the night before.

I remember being told as a kid that if the snow was crunchy, it was below 10°F.  Not sure of the scientific accuracy of that bit of folk lore (although it does seem to be supported by anecdotal evidence and personal experience).  From a scientific point of view, snow does crunch more at colder temperatures than at warmer ones.  The crunching is caused by ice crystals rubbing together as you compress the snow.   The colder the temperature, the louder the crunch.  At warmer temperatures, friction between the crystals is reduced and they slide silently past each other.   I typically observe "soft" crunching at about 20°F and very sharp crunching when it gets down around 10°F or below here in Utah and where I grew up in Idaho.   I have also observed that when temperatures drop close to 0°F or below, my nose immediately reacts to cold air when I go outside, feeling sticky just inside my nostrils, probably from the mucus thickening or freezing.   Speaking of snow, folk myths say it can't snow if it gets too cold.  That isn't strictly true.   It can still snow at very low temperatures, as long as there is enough moisture in the air.  However, sustained low temperatures may literally freeze all the moisture out of the air and then it can't snow for a while.  A new weather front with lots of moisture could move into a cold area and you could get snow even at very low temperatures.  On the other hand, clearly it can be too warm to snow.   For snow to form the atmospheric temperature must be at freezing or below.  For snow to stick, the ground temperature must be at or below freezing. Snow can form high up in the clouds and then melt as it falls through warmer air near the ground.  If the snow is falling thick enough and fast enough, some of it may be visible near the ground before it melts.  Generally, snow will not form if the ground temperature is 41°F or warmer.   By the way, even though snow is made of ice crystals, it is a pretty good insulator.  A foot of snow is about equal to the R-13 fiberglass insulation in the walls of the typical home.  That's why igloos and snow caves can keep you warm.

Speaking of snow, did you know that a blizzard is more than just a common term for a nasty snow storm?  According to the US Weather Service, there is a specific definition for a blizzard.  To qualify as a blizzard according to meteorological definitions, you have to have falling or blowing snow that reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less plus sustained winds of 30-35 mph for at least 3 hours. Doesn't matter much to a driver or a camper whether the raging snow outside is officially a "blizzard" the roads are slick and you can't see where you're going, but it is an interesting bit of trivia.  Of course you can experience blizzard-like conditions that may not last long enough to meet the formal definition but certainly do last long enough to be real nuisance or even a hazard in camp or on the road.  You won't really care if it is officially a blizzard if blowing snow prevents you from finding your exit.

A "whiteout" is a condition where falling or blowing snow reduces visibility to virtually zero. During a whiteout it is just about impossible to tell the difference between the snow-covered ground and the snow-filled air.  There is no discernible horizon.  If you encounter a whiteout, it is best to stop and wait it out.  Continued travel is very dangerous.   If you're on the highway, you could easily drive off the road.   If you are already traveling off-highway, you may get totally lost.  Anytime you are moving you are at risk of running into unseen obstacles or other travelers.  If you MUST move, do so cautiously.  If you pull over, try to get far enough over so you're out of traffic to reduce the chance of getting hit.  Even though weather may reduce other traffic on the road there will still be some, including snow plows.  If you happen to get in their way you are pretty much guaranteed to come out on the short end of the deal!

Wind can be a weather problem all by itself.  You don't have to have tornado or hurricane conditions for wind to create a hazard.  Strong gusting winds can wreak havoc with your campsite. They can damage awnings, tents, and canopies.  They may blow camp chairs or other light objects away or into your fire pit.  Winds can pick up debris that can cause injuries or damage.  Wind can sometimes create dust storms that reduce visibility and cause breathing problems for many people. Wind can wreak havoc with campfires and scatter embers that can start unwanted conflagrations. What can you do about wind?  First of all, make sure your campsite is as secure and wind-resistant as possible.   Put away canopies, umbrellas, folding chairs etc.  Make sure you tent is securely anchored. Head your RV into the prevailing wind.   Put out your campfire.  Then stay inside your tent or RV until the wind subsides.  By the way, always put up your camp chairs or at least fold them up and lay them flat when you retire from the campfire each night.  I've seen way too many light weight aluminum chairs blown into firepits where hidden coals have destroyed them by morning.  Wind can be problematic on the trail too.  Hikers, horseback riders, and OHV riders may encounter difficult and/or dangerous conditions brought on by wind.  I've seen dirt bikers literally get blown over when they topped a hill one windy day in the Mojave Desert.  They hit the top of the hill and went over like Arty on the tricycle on the old Saturday Night Live stunt.  Wind may kick up dust and debris that affects visibility and could injure your eyes.  Head winds may affect vehicle mileage, significantly shortening your normal travel range.   That cute little decorative windsock on your RV awning must might be more useful than you think.  After all, small airports still use windsocks to give pilots information about wind direction and speed.

Thunderstorms often bring severe weather conditions that require special attention.  Even fairly distant thunderstorms can cause flash floods miles away, so avoid low-lying areas and especially sand washes when there are storms anywhere in the area.   Lightning is another hazard of thunderstorms. Stay out from under tall objects like lone trees, light poles, power poles, and radio towers.  You can estimate how close lightning is to you by counting the number of seconds between the flash and when you hear the thunder.   Divide the number by 3 to get the distance in kilometers or by 5 for the distance in miles.   If you don't have a watch to count the seconds, you can estimate the time by counting 'one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand, etc).  When I worked outdoors we were instructed to stop work, leave the job site, and seek immediate shelter if lightning were within one mile.

Weather instruments, such as a barometer, can help you get a feel for what is coming.  A rising barometer usually means fair weather ahead.  A falling barometer may indicate an approaching storm.  Falling temperatures and increased wind often precede a storm too. Typical clusters of weather instruments for your home or RV will include a barometer, thermometer, and a humidity meter. I like to have an indoor/outdoor thermometer in my RV so I can keep an eye on both temperatures easily.  One I saw recently accommodates up to 3 remote transmitters so a single instrument could monitor inside and outside temperature and the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer.  There are more sophisticated electronic weather stations you can buy that give you a plethora of weather information, some if it useful, some of it pretty arcane.   Another useful device is one to measure wind chill.  Wind chill is the perceived temperature felt on exposed skin due to wind.  Wind chill isn't measured when the temperature is above 50°F and is never higher than the static temperature.  It is usually colder than the actual air temperature.  You feel colder because the wind removes heat from your body more quickly than still air does.  If the air is 40°F and there is a 10 mph wind, it will feel like its 34°F.   At higher temperatures (above 50°F), the heat index is used to measure the increase in perceived temperature due to a combination of heat and humidity.  High humidity makes you feel hotter because your perspiration doesn't evaporate as quickly to keep you cool. If the air is 90°F and the humidity is high, it will feel more like 105°F.  Some people believe they can predict a change in the weather by the feeling in their joints.  There might be some truth to that.  The fluid in our joints reacts to changes in barometric pressure.  Anyone who is sensitive to such changes might actually be a fairly accurate barometer!

Use local resources when you can.  Your campground host, rangers, law enforcement officers, and other campers familiar with the area can be a valuable source of weather information.   They may be familiar with typical weather patterns and can tell you what to expect. Very often, their predictions are far more accurate than formal weather reports. They can also alert you to potential flash flooding along streams or dry washes.  I once worked at summer resort where it rained every day at 1:00pm.  You could almost set your watch by it.

One of my favorite weather anecdotes is the "weather string".   Hang a string outside your window.  If you can see it, is probably clear and the sun is probably shining.  If you can't see it, it may be dark or foggy or snowy outside.  If it moving, the wind is blowing.  If it is wet, it is raining.  If it is frozen, it is cold.  If its gone you may have really strong winds.  While this is intended mainly as a joke, a weather string can help you judge wind strength and direction, just as pilots judge wind wind strength and direction from wind socks.  The little toy windsocks folks hand on their RV awnings can actually give you a fairly good idea of wind speed and direction once you get used to reading them.

Be weather wise!

"I Used To Know That"

Saying "I used to know that" seems less embarrassing than admitting I forgot something. Forgetfulness isn't a condition limited to those suffering from Alzheimer's or senior dementia.  From time to time everyone loses track of something they once knew.  Mostly it is trivial and slightly annoying; sometimes it is embarrassing; occasionally it may be downright disruptive.  We've all forgotten where we left our keys or glasses -- probably more than once.   But what can we do about it?   Not sure about the keys or glasses unless we just get better at always putting them where they belong.  But some of our camping skills can benefit from deliberate review and frequent practice and it is imperative to keep first aid training up to date.

Reviewing our training and the things we've read is one way to fight forgetfulness.  One of the reasons that first aid and CPR certifications need to be renewed every couple of years is to force people to review.  Another reason is that procedures evolve over time and you always want to be operating with the latest and best information available.  I have a collection of RV magazines going back several years and I've read every one of them cover to cover several times.  Even now though, I still have that feeling that "I used to know that" when I re-read some of the articles.  Bits and pieces of what I've learned before have gotten lost.   Even though you may review certain things until they become second nature, chances are the knowledge will start slipping away if you don't continue to use or review them regularly.  I even re-read my own blog articles frequently.  Another reason for re-reading articles is that our life experiences have usually evolved between readings and we may interpret things differently.   Things that might have gone unnoticed before may stand out as important upon a second -- or third -- or n-th re-reading.  In many ways, you are a different person each time you re-read something.  You will have had additional experiences and been exposed to additional information that may allow you to recognize and appreciate things you glossed over before.

Age and the passage of time isn't the only reason we forget things.   Often there is just too much going on in our busy day-to-day lives to remember everything.  And things we don't use very often are the easiest for our brains to tuck away somewhere it is difficult to retrieve.   Most of us don't get nearly as many opportunities for camping or other recreational activities as we would like to have so all the other stuff going on tends to crowd out our camping knowledge and we have to dig it out again for each trip.  Survival training gets even less regular use.   That said, those of us who have logged a few more miles and a few more years should recognize that age does demand its toll.   We may have to work extra hard to keep our minds fresh.

Lacking the time or sometimes other resources necessary for frequent camping trips, we should train ourselves to do mental exercises to help us remember important skills and information.   Spend some time walking around your RV or inspecting your camping equipment between trips.   It will help you remember things needed fixing or things you wanted to add or change.   It also helps your brain keep the information readily accessible instead of pushing it deeper and deeper until it is essentially forgotten.  It is also a good way to refresh good practices you've developed on previous trips. Imagine yourself setting up camp and using your equipment.  Studies have shown that mentally doing physical tasks (imagine doing them), even things like playing basketball, can improve performance even without physical practice. 

Sometimes we get accused of being obsessive if we make lists, but making lists can be a good way to remember things.  On each trip I make a written list of things I need to do when I get home including equipment repairs and maintenance, updating provisions, any special cleaning, and things I'd like to add to my equipment.   I use written checklists to assist me in preparing my RV, camping equipment, OHVs, and riding gear for each trip.  At home I make shopping lists for each project and sometimes create lists of each step in completing a project.  It has been said that the palest ink is better than the best memory.   Sometimes the very act of writing something down makes it easier to remember, but by writing it down we don't HAVE to remember.   I recall the comment by Henry Jones Sr. in the Indiana Jones movie The Last Crusade when he said "I wrote it in my diary so I wouldn't have to remember."

Checklists aren't just for the feeble minded.   Some prominent professions where checklists are critical and are followed exactly include surgeons, air line pilots, and astronauts.

Written lists are good for shopping and mundane tasks we need to remember, but critical first aid knowledge and skills need to be constantly refreshed.  You don't want to find your self in an emergency situation and be searching your cluttered memory or your notebooks to be able to use your knowledge of medical ABCs to save a life.  That would be a particularly bad time to suffer a bout of "I Used To Know That".

You may see ads for memory enhancing drugs or supplements.  Be wary of such claims.  While there may be benefits to certain treatments, most will probably not live up to your expectations.  Like so many things which seem too good to true -- and indeed are not true -- getting a good memory in pill form is one.  Exercising your mind and reinforcing what you've learned by repetition are safe and proven ways to improve memory.

Don't forget!

Planning for the Unplanned When Camping, Boating, and RVing

How can you plan for the unplanned?   Isn't that a paradox?  Yes and no.  Obviously, if you know what's coming and plan for it, it isn't unplanned.  So exactly how you possibly plan for the unplanned and why should you?

Planning for the unplanned means taking appropriate steps so you'll be able to deal with emergencies or other unexpected situations or take advantage of opportunities for spontaneous outings and activities.  To plan for the unplanned you have to have some idea of what unplanned events you might encounter.  Emergencies at home might include natural disasters, like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, winter storms, and power outages. Emergencies while camping might involve some of the same situations but are more likely to consist of getting lost, having mechanical problems with your equipment, or perhaps illness or injuries in camp or on the trail.  Sometimes running out of essential provisions creates a mini-crisis.  I know some guys who would consider it an emergency if they run out of beer or chips and dip, but real emergency will involve dangerous or life-threatening situations.  But being properly prepared has other uses too!.  Having everything ready to go will let you take off quickly or a weekend when you need a break.

Basic emergency preparations are comprised of training, equipment, and provisions.   I list training first because I think it is the most important.  For one thing, good training will help you know what equipment and provisions you will need and how to store them and what to do with them.  For another, knowing what to do will allow you to take control and make the best use of whatever resources you do have.  Without training, even the most sophisticated equipment will be of little use. As an extreme example, a CAT scan device is a very useful medical tool, but most of us would have no idea how to use it let alone interpret the results.   Today you see AED devices in many public places, but few people know how to use them.  I certainly didn't until I became certified as a Red Cross Professional Rescuer.  First aid and CPR training should be at the top of everyone's list.  You are very likely to have several chances to practice minor first aid while camping and participating in related activities.  It isn't that these activities are inherently dangerous, it is more that we are unaccustomed to doing them on a regular basis and are, therefore, more likely to have an accident. Your chance of needing CPR skills is probably greater if you are involved in aquatic endeavors, but it is always a good skill to have and may be needed if you come upon an auto accident on the highway or an OHV or equestrian accident out on the trails.

The next major training I suggest is Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) training.   By now you may be getting tired of me promoting C.E.R.T. but I don't think I could ever say too much about its value.  Public emergency services are going to be overwhelmed in just about any large scale disaster and your very life or the lives or your family and/or your neighbors may depend on knowing what do to until emergency services are restored -- which could take several weeks in many cases. C.E.R.T teaches you how to size up a situation and gives you guidelines for light search and rescue, medical triage, even what to do if hazardous materials are involved.

Wilderness survival skills are another set of useful tools for emergency situations.  They are especially pertinent to emergencies on the trail but can also be useful in camp and even at home during a disaster.  Knowing how to start a fire without matches is an essential survival skill.   A flint and steel or anything that will create sparks can be used.  The old "rubbing two sticks together" and variations like a bow drill or a fire plow works, but is a LOT of work and you may be inclined to give up long before you succeed.   Flint and steel has several advantages over matches.  For one, it can be used over and over again.  For another, it is unaffected by water, as long as you have dry tinder (or magnesium shavings).   Other basic survival skills you may need include building a shelter and purifying water.  Identifying edible and medicinal plants would also be helpful in longer situations.  Be aware that your most important survival tool is your brain.  Keep calm, identify potential problems, and devise possible solutions using the resources you have at hand.

Having the right equipment follows getting good training.  In addition to a first aid kit you might need a back board for transporting victims of a disaster.   Pocket first aid kits are good for everyone in your group to carry to deal with simple injuries but you should have a bigger, more comprehensive kit at your base camp to handle more serious situations.  Beyond immediate first aid needs, you may need to have equipment and supplies to help sustain you and your family for an extended period of time if utilities and public services are out of commission.   Think about the basic things you need to survive: shelter, food, and water.   Your camping equipment, RV and/or tents, may provide emergency shelter if you home becomes uninhabitable.   Tent heaters and camp stoves and help keep you warm, cook your food, and sterilize medical supplies.   Camp lanterns can provide light when the power is off.

Emergency provisions that you need will depend upon the number of people you need to take care of, together with any special dietary needs or allergies, and personal preferences.  I once heard a survivalist say a single jar of peanut butter would last him more than a year.  Why?  Because he hated peanut butter and wouldn't eat it!   If you are going to store food for emergencies, store food you will eat and know how to prepare what you store.   Having 2,000 pounds of wheat won't do you much good if you don't know how to turn it into palatable meals.   Water supplies may be cut off during a crisis so you need to consider how to find or store water.  Lacking any formal storage containers, you can dip water from the toilet tank (not the bowl!) and drain water from your hot water heater.   RVs don't have toilet tanks but they do have water heaters.  Knowing how to purify water and having the necessary equipment to do so will allow you to make use of water from lakes and,  or in an  urban situation, even from puddles and gutters.   You can also use untreated water to flush your residential toilets.  Just dump a bucket of water into the toilet tank for each flush.  You can flush RV toilets by dumping water directly into the bowl if you have no direct water supply.  You should also stock medical supplies.   Pharmacies not be functioning during an emergency so you should keep at least a month's supply of prescription medications on hand if possible.   Current laws may make it difficult or even impossible to stockpile many prescription medications.  Having a variety of Over The Counter pain killers, stomach remedies, antiseptics, dressings and bandages is often the key to relieving suffering.  In a long term disaster situation antibiotics may be essential to survival.  While regulations may prevent you from stockpiling antibiotics, you may be able to purchase veterinary medications that could be used in an emergency.  For example, a product called Fish Mox is virtually identical to amoxycillin and readily available without a prescription.  If you choose to stock antibiotics, be sure to learn why, when, and how to use them.

Carrying tools and spare parts is also a good way to plan for the unplanned.  Having the means to make repairs in camp or on the trail can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a lost weekend.  Once again though, the best tool kit in the world will be of little use if you don't know how to use it.  So, if you aren't comfortable with your mechanical skills, get some training.

Maintaining a good supply of medicines and first aid supplies protects you from a lot of suffering and discomfort.   Most of us don't plan to get sick or hurt but minor illnesses and injuries can crop up anytime, even on otherwise ordinary and successful trips.  Having the right OTC medications on hand for headaches and routine digestive problems is always a good idea.  Some cold and flu medication may allow you to continue to enjoy your outing with less discomfort than just waiting it out. Bandaids, dressings, bandages, and antiseptics should be stocked to deal with minor injuries.   Keep your first aid certification up to date.  It helps you maintain your knowledge and skills so they'll be functional when you need them.

Having your RV and/or camping gear always clean, up to date, and ready to go will allow you to take a quick weekend trip when you need a break or accept an invitation from friends or family to join them on short notice.   During the normal camping season when you don't have to worry about freeze protection you can keep your fresh water tanks filled so all you have to do is pack some perishable provisions and hit the road.  Keep all your camping and recreational equipment in good repair, readily accessible, and ready to use.

Stock your RV, camp kit, or boat with basic survival supplies.  Having some extra survival food and water is a good idea, but what is probably more important is to have the tools (and knowledge) you will need to survive if you find yourself stranded somewhere.  A broken down RV or OHV or a boat blown off course could leave you in an unexpected and difficult situation where being able to survive until you are rescued could mean the difference between life and death!

Plan for the unplanned!

A "Typical" Camping Trip

Is there really such a thing as a typical camping trip? Not really. Many times, each and every trip is a unique experience. For the sake of argument, lets take an example of what a fictitious, pretty routine family camping trip might be like.

A More or Less Typical Camping Trip might be a family trip to a local campground or state park. Popular places may require advance reservations. Plan your departure so you arrive in camp before dark. It is much easier to find your space and set up camp if you can see where you're going, especially if its your first time going there! You can spend your weekend in your tent or or RV. Both offer pleasant, albeit different, camping experiences.

Set up your camp as soon as you arrive in your spot. Park and level your RV and make any connections to camp hookups that might be available. If you're tent camping, clear a spot and set up your tent. If you have a canopy or dining fly, set it up.  If you have an RV with an awning, open the awning and lay out your awning mat. Get out your camp chairs and arrange them under your awning or canopy or around your fire pit. Set up any other equipment, such as dining flys, umbrellas, and camp kitchens. Prepare your fire pit so it will be ready to light when the time comes.

Your first time out with your family, you make get some resistance from the kids. Little Johnny may complain about being deprived of his favorite video games and your teenage daughter is likely to be pining for her boyfriend and her cell phone. They may even make a valiant attempt to convince you that taking them camping constitutes child abuse! But don't give in. Eventually they will come to enjoy your camping trips, especially if they include OHV or other fun and exciting adventures! At least that's how it worked for us. Dirt biking proved to be an excellent family activity, one that met the needs of 4 boys and 2 girls with a fourteen year age spread. Whatever you choose for activities, try to make them interesting and rewarding for the kids. Camping can give you chances for one-on-one time with your kids that is often very hard to arrange at home. Before you know it you'll all look forward to your camping trips as treasured family time.  Try to find out what they would like to do.  You may be perfectly happy playing Jermiah Johnson for the weekend, but they might prefer swimming, hiking, or OHV activities.

Plan your menus ahead of time and purchase appropriate provisions for all meals. Keep meals simple. Cold cereal is always an easy breakfast. Switch to hot cereal during cool months (use instant hot cereals if you have a microwave and power to run it or just boil a pot of water on the camp fire). We sometimes get lazy and bring donuts or breakfast pastries for the first breakfast in camp. Sandwiches or hotdogs make good lunches. Add some chips and deli salad, some BBQ beans, and a soft drink and you've got a pretty satisfying afternoon repast. Plan on making dinner a little more of an event. Hamburgers grilled on the campfire is always something of an adventure and gives them a special camp flavor. If its within your budget, fire up some steaks and bake some spuds in the coals. However, I probably wouldn't plan on grilling burgers or making ash cakes if my fire consisted of dry cow patties or buffalo chips although American pioneers and Native Americans cooked many a meal on buffalo chips! Oak, hickory, pine, or cedar make a far more appetizing cooking fire. By the way, cow patties or buffalo chips are mostly just undigested grass so they're not as gross as you might think.

Plan some simple afternoon activities your family enjoys. A little flag football, soccer, softball or just tossing a frisbee around can be done pretty much anywhere you have a little open space. Easy nature hikes can be fun, relaxing, and educational. Bike rides are good exercise and you can cover more ground than walking.  Riding your OHV is always a fun thing to do.   If you are camping near a lake or stream you may be able to go swimming or fishing.  In remote areas where shooting is approved, a little skeet shooting can be fun.  Just make sure you have a safe backstop and keep other campers out of your "shooting range".

Have a campfire. Campfires are the very heart of camping. You can sit around and swap stories, get out your guitar and have a sing-a-long, or just sit and enjoy watching the dancing of the flames.

Star gazing is often much better in camping locations than at home, especially if you live in the city or the suburbs where light pollution hides much of the night sky. Desert or beach camping gives you the best view of the sky.  Mountain and forest sites often have obstacles that limit your view. Just looking at the stars can be fascinating, but I find it even more fun to be able to locate and identify specific constellations. Sometimes, with a little practice, you can even locate planets. A small telescope may give you a better view of planets. Even binoculars can bring the moon in closer. Be careful using any kind of optics to look at the moon. Remember, what you are seeing is reflected sunlight and through just about any kind of magnifying optics it is bright enough to hurt your eyes. You may need a filter to cut it down enough to be able to see things clearly and comfortably. Star gazing is especially good during desert or beach outings. Too often trees get in the way when you're camped in the forest.

Enjoy a good night's sleep. Most campers will be fairly tired by the end of the day, having engaged in more physical activity than many people normally get. Being away from the stress of modern living can make you more relaxed that you are at home but you will be in a strange environment so you may need to be prepared to make some adjustments and get used to unfamiliar sounds and smells.

Repeat for as many days as you are able to devote to the trip. Keep things fresh by varying your activities and your menus.

Plan for appropriate indoor activities in bad weather. We always bring an assortment of favorite movies on our RV trips. I like to include subjects that may be relevant to the outing so we don't depart TOO far from the planned experience. Since we are dirt bikers and most of our outings are dirt bike outings, it isn't too surprising that the base set of DVDs in our motorhome are dirt bike related.

When it comes time to go home give yourself enough time to break camp and drive home without breaking a sweat. Choose a departure time that will avoid traffic if possible.   Disconnect your RV and retract any leveling devices. Gather up your equipment and properly stow it for the trip home. Police your site to make sure you have gathered up your stuff AND all your trash. Schedule your departure so you can reach home comfortably at a reasonable hour and, if possible, avoid heavy traffic that could spoil your relaxation.  Then go through your post-trip checklist and get everything put away safely  to await your next trip.

Camp out!

Finish The Job

Given the myriad tasks associated with various aspects of camping it is all too easy to get distracted and jump from task to task without getting anything completely done.  However, doing so wastes time and often introduces opportunities for parts to get lost or misplaced or for additional damage to occur to equipment under repair.  If we aren't careful, we end up with dozens of partly done tasks and nothing completed!

Cleaning up a campsite at the end of an outing is all too often ignored.  People who are ordinarily quite tidy sometimes become careless when camping.  Don't be one of them.  First of all, control your trash through out your stay so your campsite is always neat and clean.  It will be a lot more enjoyable and cleaning up when you leave won't be a big job.  So finishing the job at the end of an outing means cleaning up after yourself as well as packing up and going home.  I was once very amused by a clever forest ranger who collected a large box of identifiable trash left behind by particular family.  He sent them a letter advising them the had left something behind and it would be arriving C.O.D.  Thinking it might have been something valuable, the family paid the C.O.D. charges and accepted the package.  I would loved to have seen their faces when they found the box filled with the trash they left behind instead of the valuables they expected to find!

Organize your time and resources to make best use of both.  Start by making a list of all the tasks you need to get done.  Then group similar or related tasks together so you can combine the use of tools and materials when possible.  I like to start with tasks that I'm sure I have the time, the materials, and the knowledge to complete without interruption.   If you jump into something you don't understand, you may very well discover you don't have the tools or the materials or the time to complete the task.  That means setting it aside while you you obtain the necessary items and that is often when things get lost or damaged.  Given a list of things you can do, start with the easiest task first.  It is usually easier to "get going" if the task isn't too daunting. S uccessfully completing a task helps boost your confidence and give you momentum for the remaining tasks.  Once you have completed the easiest task from your original list, pick the easiest task from the remaining list. Starting on a very difficult task can be discouraging and, if you run into problems, may suck up ALL the time you have and you may end up not getting ANYTHING done.

Complete each task before starting a new one.   That means cleaning up any mess you've made and putting away the tools you used.  If you know for sure you're going to use specific tools on the next task, its OK to move them to the next work area, but don't leave them lying around at the end of a task.  Tools left out tend to get lost.   I'd rather spend a few minutes putting things away where they belong so I can find them when I need them next rather than come looking for them during the next task.  It is way too easy to ignore little things, like sweeping up sawdust and disposing of trash.   Don't allow yourself to fall into that trap.   Those little things accumulate and before you know it, you have a whole new list of tasks.  I believe most of us have enough things to do that we don't need to make unnecessary work for ourselves.

When you have a list of things to do, stick to the list and finish each task in turn.  It is all to common to start on a task and get distracted and go do something else.  This is a bad habit to get into.  It quickly escalates.  You go off to do the thing that distracted you and get distracted again.  When you allow yourself to fall into this trap, you can use up all the time you have to get things done and find that you haven't gotten anything done!  You need to start with a reasonable list and stick to the list.  If you allow yourself to get distracted, even once, you have set a pattern that will likely repeat itself ad infinitum.  If you discover additional tasks that need to be done, add them to the list rather than running after them and losing your momentum on completing the tasks on your original list.

One of the greatest risks of not completing a task once you've started it is that it may never get done.  Having done "most of it" you may mentally cross it off your list or you may simply forget what remained to be completed.  If it is interrupted due to lack of tools or parts, it may be some time before your get what you need to finish the job.  By then you may have a whole new list of things to do.  All too often, parts or tools you need will disappear by the time you get around to completing the job, adding a lot of unnecessary frustrating and additional delay and expense.  It is very frustrating and a great time waster when you return to a delayed task and discover you don't remember where you were, where  you put things, or what you needed to do next!

With modern cell phone technology we can easily take photos of our projects.  "Before" photos can be very helpful when attempting to complete a delayed project.  If you must delay a project, document where things are and what remains to be done, including photos if practical.

There's nothing worse than getting to the end of the day and looking back on having accomplished nothing.  On the other hand, it is very satisfying to be able to cross off the list of things you got done and look back on a job well done!

Get 'er done!

Campfires In/On Snow

Why would anyone want to build a campfire in the snow?  To get warm of course.   But why not just go inside where it is warm instead of sitting out there in the snow?   Some people enjoy snow camping and other winter sports like snowmobiling, skiing, snow boarding and ice fishing but most campers wouldn't consider snow an asset.   Alternatively, you might get an unexpected snow storm during a camping trip or you might find your self in a disaster situation in the winter.  In any case, if you're out in the snow, a nice warm fire on a snowy day will no doubt be a welcome sight, perhaps the high light of your day.  In a winter disaster, it might even be life saving.  But there are some special circumstances you need to consider when building a fire in or on snow.

First, if you build you fire on top of packed snow, the heat will melt the snow beneath and around the fire.   If the snow isn't very deep that won't be too much of a problem.  But, if you are on deep snow pack, your fire will sink into the snow and drown in melting snow.   Dig down to the earth below, or, if the snow pack is too deep for that, build a platform of rocks or green logs on top of the snow and use that as a foundation for your fire.  If you must use logs, use large, green log to reduce the chance of them becoming additional fuel for the fire.  Wet logs pulled from a stream or lake would be even less likely to ignite.  An even better solution is a metal pan of some sort, like an old car hood or a large water trough or wash tub, if you can scare one up.  The heat from the fire will probably at least partially melt the snow for several feet around the fire, even if it is on a metal pad, turning into a slush pit.  You may need to add some rocks, branches, or chunks of firewood around your fire pit to serve as stepping stones to keep your feet out of the the slush.

Your second major concern is building a fire under trees.   It is always nice to have as much overhead protection from the elements as we can get when we're camping- shade in summer, protection from rain and snow in other seasons.  But building a fire under snow-covered trees is an invitation to failure and nasty surprises.   As heat rises from the fire it will melt and loosen snow accumulated in the branches.  The snow then falls on you and/or your fire, neither of which contributes to your comfort or the success of your fire.  Try to find a spot where there isn't very much snow overhead or get a long branch and try to knock down as much snow before you set up your fire.

Portable fire pits, like my favorite "R2D2" (which is an old washing machine tub), can be used, but unless they are set up on rocks or logs they too will melt into the snow like an open fire, but maybe not as fast.  Using a portable metal fire pit will reduce the chance of your fire igniting a log platform.  I have a leg I can use on my "R2D2" to raise it about 4-6" off the ground.   I haven't tried using it on snowpack, but I expect the heat from the fire will still melt snow beneath the unit since it makes a very good "toe toaster" to get your feet warm, which is one reason I built the leg in the first place.  I have used it with snow all around it and it quickly melted all the snow with about a foot or so of the tub.  My "R2D2" is an old washing machine tub with a center pipe for the agitator.   The center pipe gets in the way of adding large pieces of wood, but it provides a sleeve where I can insert a cut down RV table leg which then fits into a commercially available RV table tripod to lift it a few inches off the ground.  A piece of pipe fastened to an 18" BBQ grill inserted in the top turns the whole thing into a convenient cooking appliance.

If your firewood is exposed to the snow, make sure you brush off as much snow as you can before adding it to your fire.  Large clumps of snow falling from armloads of new but snowy firewood might put your fire out or at least dampen it.   Keep your firewood protected if you can.  Store it in or under a vehicle or cover it with a tarp to keep it out of rain and snow.  Snow on firewood will melt quickly and make it harder for newly added wood to light.  If there is enough snow it can at least partially put out your fire!

On particularly cold days you might want to build more than one fire so you can warm both sides of your body at the same time.  Building a really big fire still only warms one side of your body while it wastes fuel and probably creates unnecessary slush and air pollution.  A couple of smaller fires, or a ring of smaller fires, might work better at keeping you and your companions warm.  Keep an eye on the area between fires as the combined heat will take its toll on the snow and you may soon be sitting or standing in cold puddles.   Overnight those cold puddles will freeze and you could have a serious slip/fall hazard.

Heat from campfires may melt surrounding snow and frozen ground, making it slushy or muddy near the fire.  About all you can do about this is put down something to walk on, find a better place for your fire -- or give up on your fire.  An ideal place to build a fire is on exposed rock, but you can't always find rocky outcroppings.   If you put down something to walk on, try to find something that isn't easily combustible.  Do not use straw, hay, dry grass, or dry pine boughs or anything else that could be easily ignited by sparks or embers from the fire.  If the snow around your fire is deep enough, you could get enough run off from melting snow to drown your fire in addition to making a cold, nasty mess to stand in near your fire.

If it is actively snowing, you will probably want to build a bigger fire than you normally would. Falling snow will have a dampening affect on your fire and you'll need a bigger fire to compensate. Of course, if it is actively snowing, you'll probably want to find shelter from the storm instead of standing out in it around an open campfire.  In this case, you may want to build a large fire in front of a cave, lean to, or other open shelter with a reflector behind it so you can benefit from the heat yet stay out of the falling snow.  Be careful about building a fire in a cave.  Depending on wind direction and speed you may get a lot of smoke inside the cave or the fire may use up your oxygen.  The heat from the fire may cause the rocks that make up the cave to crack as they warm up and conflict with the cold around them.  This could cause pieces to break off and fall on you or could even cause a cave-in!  If you hear cracking sounds in the rock, bank your fire and get out of the cave before it starts to fall on you.  A safer way to heat a cave is to build a fire outside with a reflecting wall behind it so you get some warmth inside for your comfort without stressing the structure itself.  You might also heat some soccer ball sized stones in the fire and roll them into your shelter to serve as radiators to warm the interior.  Just make sure they aren't against anything combustible.  Smaller, softball sized stones make good foot warmers in you sleeping bag too.  Be extra careful putting hot rocks into tents or sleeping bags.  If they are TOO hot they may scorch, burn or even set the tent or sleeping bag on fire!

Heat from your fire may turn snow on your clothing into water.  A lot of winter clothing that is very warm in the snow isn't necessarily waterproof, so melting snow may quickly cause your once warm winter clothes to get soaked and you'll soon be freezing.   Melting that snow into your coat will quickly defeat the benefits of being close to a fire.  You may need to use the fire to dry out your clothes after it has melted the snow and gotten them wet.  It is a good idea to bring along alternate clothing so you have something dry to change into if you get wet.  Try to brush snow off your clothes before it has time to melt or find some shelter to keep snow off your clothes.  Brush off as much snow as you can before you approach your fire or go into a warm place.

Stay warm!