On this episode of The Tech Ranch, the “Guru of Geek” Marlo Anderson and “Tech Geezer” Jim Walsh have a jammed packed show in store for listeners. This is a show filled with hints, tidbits and tips on survival during the upcoming winter months. Sure, it’s technically still Fall, but in the northern part of the U.S., winter is quickly setting in. So grab some hot chocolate, a cozy blanket and sit back and let’s get started.
Everyone who has traveled during the winter months knows the importance of packing a winter survival kit in our vehicles. Winter survival kits mean surviving a winter storm while stranded on the side of the road. Amazon sells winter survival kits from AAA for around $48. You can also make your own kit with items you may already have around your home. Don’t forget to include a few technology items in that emergency kit. The Guru of Geek suggests the following items should be considered when assembling any winter survival kit:
An old cell phone: Don’t throw away that old cell phone. Instead, put it in your winter survival kit. All cell phones can make a 911 call whether or not they are activated. Just remember to fully charge the battery before storing and check occasionally to ensure it is charged. Sometimes cold can drain a battery.
A backup battery pack: Battery packs are used to charged devices without using an electrical outlet. Having one of these handy will ensure you are able to charge your devices if you become stranded on the side of the road. The cost for a battery pack is inexpensive and range in price from $15 to $130 depending on the type you purchase.
Extra charging cables: Throw a few charging cables in with your extra phone. Make sure the charging cables are usable and working properly by testing them before hand. The charging cables should be compatible with the battery pack and with any device you are going to charge.
Your current smart device loaded with Apps: Pre-install Apps on your smart device before hitting the road. There are several Apps available to help determine weather and road conditions during winter travel. Here are a few the Guru of Geek suggests:
Dark Sky App
Predicts snowfall in specific regions. The app is pretty specific in predicting exact times of weather pattern changes.
Road Trip Planner
Accuweather.com helps you plan your road trip ahead of time, providing weather projections and updates on weather. The App uses Google Maps  to help guide you from start to finish while your one the road. The weather map changes locations easily to allow you view upcoming weather patterns.
First Aid App
The American Red Cross has a fantastic App that provides “How-To” instructions on treating medical emergencies. This app is useful for those who need to know how to treat an injury quickly if immediate medical facilities are unavailable.
Radar Cast App
This App is intended for Apple users, but it works well, provides a high-def radar image and tracks storms fairly accurate.
Winter storms can be frustrating for anyone,