For those of you dealing with this crazy winter weather, here are a few survival tips in case, God forbid, you're ever in one of those situations.


HOW TO SURVIVE AN AVALANCHE

1) Struggle to stay on top of the snow by using a freestyle swimming motion.

2) If you are only partially buried, dig your way out with your hands or by kicking the snow.
If you have a ski pole, poke through the snow until you feel open air.

3) If you are completely buried, dig a small hole around you and spit in it.
The saliva will fall down, giving you an idea of which direction is up. Dig up.


HOW TO BUILD A SNOW TRENCH

1) Map out a trench so that the opening is at a right angle to the prevailing wind.
You need to find a space just a bit longer and taller than your body when lying down.

2) Dig the trench with a wider, flatter opening on one end for your head.
A cooking pan or long, flat piece of wood works well as an entrenching tool.

3) Cover the top of the trench with a layer of branches, then a tarp or layer of plastic sheeting, then a thin layer of snow.
A door can be made using a backpack or blocks of snow.


HOW TO TREAT FROSTBITE

1) Remove wet clothing and dress the area with warm, dry clothing.

2) Immerse frozen areas in warm water (100 degrees to 105 degrees) or apply warm compresses for 10 to 30 minutes.If warm water is not available, wrap gently in warm blankets. Avoid direct heat, including fires, heating pads, and hot water bottles. Never thaw the area if it is at risk of refreezing; this can cause severe tissue damage.

3) Do not rub frostbitten skin or rub snow on it.

4) Take a pain reliever during rewarming to lessen the pain (Frostbitten digits are extremely painful when rewarmed).
There may be blistering and the skin may turn red, blue, or purple in color. When skin is pink and no longer numb, the area is thawed.

5) Apply sterile dressings to the affected areas.
Try not to disturb any blisters, wrap rewarmed areas to prevent refreezing, and keep thawed areas still as possible.


HOW TO AVOID BREAKING THROUGH ICE WHEN DRIVING

- Do not drive on ice early or late in the season.
Cars and light trucks need at least eight inches of clear, solid ice on which to drive safely.

- Cross any cracks at right angles, and drive slowly.

- Carry several large nails and a length of rope.
The nails will help you pull yourself out of the ice if you fall in, and the rope can be thrown to someone on more solid ice.


HOW TO SURVIVE A FLASH FLOOD

1) Check the water level outside.
If it is deeper than one foot, do not attempt to drive away. Cars can be swept away in as little as two feet of water.

2) If the water inside is not rising quickly or flowing fast, turn off the power to the building.
Turn off gas at the main valve to the building. Only enter the basement if the water is slow-rising and below knee-deep, otherwise, you may become trapped and drown.

3) If the water level outside is deeper than three feet or seems to be rising or flowing quickly, you must evacuate the building.

4) Find a flotation device for each person.
These can be personal flotation devices (life jackets) or, if they are unavailable, couch or chair cushions. Plastic, sealable bags filled with air and placed under a tucked shirt can also provide flotation.

5) Leave the building and move to higher ground.


HOW TO SURVIVE FRIGID WATER

1) Do not attempt to swim.
Swimming moves cold water over your skin, causing rapid cooling.

2) If you have a life vest, put it on and draw yourself into a ball to maintain maximum body heat.
If there is another person with you, huddle together for warmth.

3) If you do not have a flotation device, grab anything buoyant.
If nothing is available, float on your back or tread water very slowly. If you cannot float or tread water, button up the top collar of a coat or shirt and splash air and water underneath the fabric to form an air pocket.

4) Once rescued, look for signs of hypothermia.
Slurred speech and a lack of shivering are signs of severe body temperature loss. Immediately , but slowly, rewarm your body.