08 SEP 2020 and the snow is falling, it has been all day and will continue through the night. Our last snow was early June and our first snow is early September, just the way I like it. The temps have plummeted from the 80’s to the 20’s and it’s fantastic, bring on the cold weather but NOT before conducting some Pre-Combat Checks (PCC’s) and Pre-Combat Inspections (PCI’s). Typically in the military we conduct these type of checks prior to rolling out for an exercise, or a mission overseas but the concepts are totally applicable here stateside as a civilian. In short, never assume but rather understand the “mission” and check (read: put your hands on it, work it, rehearse with it) your stuff prior to whatever it is you are about to embark upon. In this case an early winter is upon us so I took it upon myself to conduct PCC’s and PCI’s over the weekend and thought to lay that out here.
The Home
I’ve been working around the house prepping for the cold but thought to handle a few more details this past weekend. The list follows:
– Pick up dog poop. Believe it or not it gets nasty under layers of snow for weeks and months.
– Wood Stove. Bring as much wood inside as possible, stack more quick access wood in garage, ensure outside wood storage is good to go.
– Run Generators and check fuel. Self explanatory.
– Driveway. Move unnecessary items down to storage shed or off to the side in case I have to plow.
– Furnace. While we do rely on the wood stove, running the furnace to knock the cobwebs out can only be a good thing.
– Flashlights. Think power outages or similar, having everything positioned correctly and batteries g2g (good to go).
– Flowers. Bring flowers inside, this is critical for all of you men in order to make wife happy.
– Hot Tub. Yes…I have a hot tub. Turn up to 102 for those winter soaks.
The Vehicle(s)
What follows is a list of items that I completed on my truck, wife’s SUV and my ATV. I should mention that this past week I had an oil change done, tire rotation and brakes and battery replaced on my truck. Regular maintenance is critical up here and while I could do it myself I’d rather pay a shop. I don’t fancy jacking up a truck and swapping 35 inch tires and doing the brakes just yet. Also, went with an Optima battery that was significantly more expensive than the Autoparts store special (which have been known to die on me), so we’ll see how that goes. This is not an all inclusive list, feel free to add your comments below.
– Pull everything out of the truck bed tool box (Weatherguard), conduct inventory and test items
– Air Compressor. Hook that up to my battery, run it for a few minutes.
– Fluids. 10 Quarts of oil, 1 container of antifreeze, brake fluid, WD40, power steering fluid, etc.
– Chains. This is important, I have chains for all 4 tires and I pulled them out to inspect them and actually chained up one wheel just as an exercise. Take the time to make sure everything works.
– Straps. Pulled out and inspected my tow rope with hooks, my bubba rope (can pull out much more weight), ratchet straps and even bungee cords.
– Battery Assist Device. Not sure what this is called but it has a little crappy compressor on it, but you can also hook it up and jump another vehicle if you don’t have cables (I have cables). Still good to have.
– Winter Bag (Bugout, Get Home, Who cares what it’s called). Pull out contents, inventory, re-pack, ensure winter packing list is on point.
– Fluids. Washer fluid to be exact, check all other accessible fluid.
– Commo. Ensure charge on Satellite devices, I have a Garmin Inreach and an actual Satellite phone in my truck. Cell phone signals can be sketchy and I’ve used Sat devices all over the world with success.
– Basic stuff. Wipers, lights, LED lights, filters, et al.
– ATV. Attach plow blade, do some doughnuts on dirt roads.
– Wife’s SUV. Oil change, tire rotation, fluids, emergency kit et al.
Final Thoughts
Winter happens every year but that doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing. While I do put a lot of emphasis on the house I think vehicles are a major consideration, sliding off the road in an area with no cell service while wearing gym clothes with no supplies in the car can be a death sentence. While most suburban / city types think this cannot happen to them I’d point to the countless times traffic on some highway ground to a halt because of accidents in blizzard type conditions and first responders are helpless to get to folks. The only person one has to blame is staring back at them in the mirror. “I didn’t think this could happen to me” is a sad story, I’m looking for my tiny violin at the moment.
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
