In Case Paralyzing Snowstorm

[lpickett]

FRC1730 is lucky they have mentors and coaches that live nearby. We can be there when the need arises to have adult support and food/drink at the ready. Sleeping bags, cots, blankets are always helpful to have handy in the car. I usually travel with a sleeping bag in the trunk in bad weather. We also keep a first aid kit at the build site. We have a phone in the building for emergencies. Our reception is only good by the doors and windows. Let it snow!!!!

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by MechEng83

I'm not sure why so many people are jumping on the OP for asking this question. I think he's trying to prepare for uncertainties. Think of this as an "Emergency Preparedness Kit" Do you have a first aid kit in your shop? (FYI, the answer should be "yes") Do you plan on having to use it? No -- you prepare in case you need to.

Sometimes, bad weather can come without sufficient notice (a la Geogia this past week). It's best to be prepared for these occasions and never have to use them rather than the reverse.

If we all just sat and were afraid that bad weather might come, or the road might be closed, or some other uncontrollable situation, we'd never get anything done.

You don't get it, it's not about taking no risks, it's about avoiding reasonable risks when it is easy and prudent to do so. It's about ensuring the risks are worth the rewards. Clearly they have enough warning to avoid a serious storm, then they clearly have enough time to cancel the meeting(s).

And yes, we all hope to never have to use our shop's first-aid kit. But being stranded in a school greatly raises the consequences of any accident, shifting the risk/reward analysis results.

Here is a hypothetical situation: an open fracture. Someone nicks their finger on a saw, to the bone. Not an uncommon shop accident. This type of injury requires IMMEDIATE antibiotic treatment. Typically a drive to the ER, a few stitches, and IV/pill antibiotics and you're good to go. Do you keep IV antibiotics and sutures in your first aid kit? On the other hand if you're stranded in a school for two days the bone could easily get infected because all you've got are some band-aids and alcohol swabs. They could be looking at surgery, long-term or life-time antibiotics, or having their finger/limb amputated to stop the infection from spreading.

Now, I realize that sounds a bit dramatic, and is unlikely to happen, but it illustrates the issue very nicely: being stranded raises the stakes for any mistake or accident significantly. This is, of course, on top of any transportation/travel hazards.

[Jon Stratis]

Personally, if the weather report made it look like being stranded at the school was a possibility, I'm pretty sure we would cancel the meeting that night. Even if it turns out the snow doesn't hit until later and we would have been fine, I think it's the right thing to do - safety FIRST! FWIW, we've already had 5 cold-weather cancellations this season...

Take a look at what needs to be done, and come up with stuff students can do outside of the shop. Work on PR, sponsor letters, award submissions... the robot can wait a day or two.

[JesseK]

While I'm generally in the 'it is a bad idea to encourage the team to risk their necks in the snow' camp, meeting at someone's house is no different than meeting at a school with respect to risk factors.

Verify with the school administration that the heat will be kept on during school closures. Our school district has a strict policy regarding energy conservation, which means if the school is closed then the heat is off without special permission.

[MechEng83]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

You don't get it, it's not about taking no risks, it's about avoiding reasonable risks when it is easy and prudent to do so. It's about ensuring the risks are worth the rewards. Clearly they have enough warning to avoid a serious storm, then they clearly have enough time to cancel the meeting(s).

And yes, we all hope to never have to use our shop's first-aid kit. But being stranded in a school greatly raises the consequences of any accident, shifting the risk/reward analysis results.

Here is a hypothetical situation: an open fracture. Someone nicks their finger on a saw, to the bone. Not an uncommon shop accident. This type of injury requires IMMEDIATE antibiotic treatment. Typically a drive to the ER, a few stitches, and IV/pill antibiotics and you're good to go. Do you keep IV antibiotics and sutures in your first aid kit? On the other hand if you're stranded in a school for two days the bone could easily get infected because all you've got are some band-aids and alcohol swabs. They could be looking at surgery, long-term or life-time antibiotics, or having their finger/limb amputated to stop the infection from spreading.

Now, I realize that sounds a bit dramatic, and is unlikely to happen, but it illustrates the issue very nicely: being stranded raises the stakes for any mistake or accident significantly. This is, of course, on top of any transportation/travel hazards.

I "get it." I have made the call to cancel team meetings because it's unsafe to travel during the weekend, when the school doesn't dictate closures. I'm the one who is responsible for the kids' safety when they're in the shop. I "get it" and take great offense that you think I don't.

Your injury example is quite the hyperbole. Injuries are possible when slicing a bagel and making coffee at home, so I guess we should only eat luke-warm, soft foods during a snow storm... Certainly there's a risk-reward calculation. We all have different tolerances for risks. Building a robot is not worth credible life-threatening risks, and while I don't wish to speak directly for the OP, it doesn't seem like that is his intent.

I'll reiterate, the OP isn't planning on getting stuck. He's stated that multiple times. He's preparing for getting stuck as an unplanned occurance. I applaud the willingness to be prepared.

[TNT280Staff]

Blankets or sleeping bags

[DELurker]

To be honest, when our school is closed, we don't meet at the school (school rules). We have met at a mentor's house in the past when we've needed to get things done while school is closed.

If there's any chance that people might get stuck, it may not be worth meeting. We've currently lost about 7 days due to weather so far this build season and, while some of them have been a little hinky, a few of the days were treacherous for new drivers to navigate due to the ice and blowing snow. We've been making up some time by changing which nights we meet or making meetings either start earlier or run longer. It doesn't get us all of the lost time back, but it makes us feel better about it.

[Tom Line]

Frankly, if I was concerned that I might get stuck AT the build venue, then I wouldn't be having robotics that day. There are too many unknowns. What if someone were to get hurt? What do you do if there is a prolonged power outage? Is robotics worth the potential downsides?

I'm assuming that you've already covered all those basis and still feel comfortable having robotics though. I might consider a sleeping bag and some water 'just in case'.

[Joe Ross]

Make sure your teacher knows how to access your school's emergency supplies.

[FilthyArgonian]

Plentiful amounts of water and any sort of hygiene product the students may require.

[lanna.stars]

Originally Posted by eli2410

P.S. I know for some of you in Canada and elsewhere, 12 inches isn't a lot, but since we don't normally get that, it is a lot for us. I am not looking for comparisons or someone saying that isn't a lot. I am simply looking for help and suggestions, in case we get stuck.

We too have been attending build sessions and there have been a forecasted snow storms (not something we can avoid living in Canada) however our sessions were minimal with students and mentors not being able to make it in.

After surviving just before Christmas with no power for 46 hours, I would strongly recommend bottled water, canned food and blankets. Emergency candles wouldn't be a bad idea either just in case the power went out although I really hope if at that point you just locked up and tried to brave the weather to get home.

As others have said before the robot can wait.... use your best judgement on the morning of the build session and drive with caution!

Our team has been lucky to not miss any time in between our snow storms! Good luck and we hope everything works out for your team!