“It’s still snowing and it’s clear up to here,” said the weather briefer.  E-T-B-A-W followed as abbreviated suffixes to the printed aviation weather forecast that followed.   (F) means fog.  (S) is snow.  (RI) stands for rim ice – something you never want to fly in.  The weather was bad,  but how bad?

     “What’s ETBAW,” I asked?  The briefer replied:  “Even The Birds Are Walking.”  BAD! BAD! BAD!

     Some things are hard to understand about the weather.  This following principle is not.  When it’s cold, 90% of body heat exits out of the top of your head.  You need a good hat.  You also need a good coat, gloves, pants and (an absolutely essential investment) good foot ware.  All clothing items are only useful if kept dry.  Body heat is lost 60 times faster if you are wet.  Layering, good materials and calm control moisture.  Goretex is good.  Not sweating is even better, IF you have skills and a workable plan.

     Look at your feet and ask if you are prepared to walk home right now – in ice and snow.  The further you travel from home, the more you need warmth resources with you, especially when  E-T-B-A-W.

     For more information call (your emergency preparedness specialist).

CATCH THE VISION, GET THE FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.