The content of the article:
- 10 ways to warm up in a stalled car
- Gas stove
- Warming of passengers
- Paper
- Hot drinks
- Candle
- Elimination of drafts
- Warm up near the car
- Making a fire near the car
- Body warmers
- Useful devices and devices
Many people believe that there are things that can never happen to them. In fact, no one is immune from various kinds of troubles that lie in wait for anyone at every corner. Such a nuisance, in particular, can be a car breakdown on a snowy road, and at the most inopportune moment.
Having got into a similar situation, the driver is faced with a lot of problems: how to fix the breakdown, how to let other people know about his problem (relatives, friends, rescue service), etc.
However, the first priority is not to freeze! Being in a stalled car in cold winter can threaten not only the health of the driver and passengers, but also their lives. You can wait for help for several hours, or even all night. During this time, you can easily stiffen sitting in the car.
It is important to remember that heat enters the car only as long as the engine is running. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the fuel tank of the car, if not "to the eyeballs", then at least 2/3 full. The fuel canister in the trunk is a great fallback option - don't waste it right away.
If your car gets stuck on the track during the cold season, try to use fuel sparingly, periodically turning off and starting the engine. This method is very effective, but if the car stalls and does not start, then there will be no sense from the fuel. Therefore, below are 10 of the most effective ways to stay warm in a stalled car in winter.
10 ways to warm up in a stalled car
1. Gas stove
A good alternative to warming up the passenger compartment with an engine can be the use of a ceramic gas stove, for which you need to carry a small cylinder with "winter" gas just in case. The latter burns cleanly, so there will be no waste, smoke or open flame in the car. It is best to put the stove on the floor - this will heat the bottom of the cabin, while the warm air will constantly rise up, ensuring uniform heating of the car. In addition, a gas stove can provide freezing hot drinks, the importance of which cannot be overestimated. The main thing when using this method is to be careful to prevent a fire.
2. Warming of passengers
The essence of the second method is to insulate passengers, who must remain calm. Panic and nervous breakdowns increase a person's energy consumption, so the moment of freezing will come much earlier. You need to think about how to reduce heat loss with clothing. Anything can be used here: an old jacket, a sweater, shoes in the trunk, dirty bedspreads, rags, etc. No need to think about how you look and what will stain your seat, the main thing is to warm yourself.
3. Paper
Paper is a very good heat insulator - this property can be used. If there are newspapers, books in the car, they can be torn and shoved under outer clothing, pushed into boots. You can also insulate the car itself with paper by sticking it on the glass of the car. But you don't need to be too zealous here - a car insulated with paper is poorly ventilated.
4. Hot drinks
A safe option for warming the body is hot drinks, but not intoxicating ones. The latter do not warm, it is only an illusion. In addition, alcohol contributes to the loss of control - you can fall asleep, which is not recommended. It is recommended to take a thermos with hot tea on the road, especially if you are traveling long distances. Coffee is also not recommended as this drink constricts blood vessels and can cause circulatory problems. It should be drunk only to invigorate.
5. Candle
A great option is to keep warm with a candle. Candles take up very little space and can be easily transported even in the glove compartment. If you light several candles at once, the effect will be well felt. The main advantage of this method is "durability", the candle can burn for several hours, which may be enough to save you.
6. Elimination of drafts
It is very important to eliminate drafts and insulate the interior. There are several options here. If you have tape at hand, then it will work best - it will reliably seal the door openings with wide tape. For example, paper tape adheres well to glass without leaving any marks. Additionally, you can insulate yourself with snow. Here it is enough to sketch a light snow shaft up to the level of the door sill.
7. Warm up near the car
If the driver and passengers are struggling to keep warm inside the cabin, you can try to keep warm outside. Get out of the car and try to actively move - do exercises. It is very important to try to breathe slowly, evenly. As soon as you feel that you are a little warmer, immediately get into the car. You should try to keep the extracted heat in order to warm the air in the cabin with it.
8. Making a fire near the car
Another way to warm up outside the passenger compartment is to make a fire near the car. An open fire is one hundred percent option, and you can kindle it from anything. In the absence of firewood nearby, you can use all the excess that is in the car.
The truckers were a little more fortunate in this case. If possible, they can use the products they are transporting as firewood. In addition, truck drivers always have something in the back that can be burned.
9. Means for warming the body
Vinegar or badger fat can help keep warm. These products warm the body very effectively, nothing else beats them. They were used by our ancestors, which helped to avoid frostbite.
It is necessary to take off your shoes, undress, rub your feet with fat or vinegar, then get dressed again. This option will definitely help. It can even make a person sweat, so it is better to rub only the feet and elbows so as not to get sick as a result of sudden temperature changes.
10. Useful devices and devices
As the last, 10th method, we can mention the presence in the trunk of devices and devices that will help warm up in winter in a stalled car. These include:
- A special vest with three built-in heating pads powered by a small battery. Its charging lasts for 2-9 hours, it all depends on the model of the device and the ambient temperature. This vest is intended for climbers, so its cost is quite high, but its effectiveness and relevance in some situations fully justify it.
- A tourist mini-heater is a device that is compact, but at the same time it is capable of warming up the car interior to room temperature in 10-15 minutes. This kind of heater fits easily on the unfolded car seat and allows you to dry your clothes.
- A catalytic mini-heater is a very economical device, characterized by high safety, since its operation is not accompanied by an open flame.
- Homemade heating pad - you need to take on the road a package of dry alcohol and a tin can (empty). To make a homemade heating pad, you need to cut off the top rim from the can. Further, in one place, several cuts are made, which are bent inward. Then, holes are punched with a nail in the heating bottle, which are responsible for the supply of oxygen.Dry alcohol is fixed inside the can, a hollow tube is inserted into the container itself. During the operation of a homemade heating pad (in the process of burning alcohol), the tube will heat up, giving off heat to the interior. This option cannot be called modern, but in terms of efficiency it will not be inferior to the above.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the above, many methods require a person to prepare in advance for his salvation. Also, it will not be superfluous to think about seat insulation, hood insulation, and even better - the entire body.
Before a long trip, you need to carefully check the operation of the battery and engine, stock up on fuel. You can also always throw blankets, sticky tape, candles, a sapper shovel, plastic wrap, a thermos with hot drinks into the trunk. At least something from this list.
It is very important not to forget about your own safety, since negligence in the considered issue can be the cause of serious problems.
