Sandstorms are one of nature's most violent and unpredictable phenomena. Strong winds can blow away grains of dirt and sand and cause a strong, suffocating puff of puffs that can completely block vision in a matter of seconds. This puff can also cause damage, injury, and even death. No matter where you live, it's good to know what to do to be able to see thick clouds of sand blowing your way.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Survive While Walking
Step 1. Put the mask on your nose and mouth
If you have a gas mask or special mask that can filter out small particles, put it on immediately. If you don't have one, tie a bandana or any kind of cloth to cover your nose and mouth. Wet the cloth if there is enough water. Put a small amount of petroleum gel in the nostrils to prevent the mucous membranes from drying out.
Step 2. Protect your eyes
Ordinary glasses are not enough to protect the eyes from blowing sand or dust, so it is better to wear airtight goggles. If you don't have goggles, tie a cloth over your head to protect your eyes and ears and hold one arm in front of your face when walking.
Step 3. Find shelter
A car that is stopped is sufficient, as long as it is not in the middle of the road so there is no risk of being hit. If possible, a fully enclosed shelter would be preferable. As long as there's a barrier between you and the direction the wind is blowing, it's better than nothing.
- Sand will bounce when it collides with other objects, so it's best to cover the entire surface of the skin and face.
- If there is no shelter, just crouch. Squatting is useful in order to reduce the risk of being hit by any object that floats in the wind.
Step 4. Rise to a high surface
The puffs of sand and dust were densest near ground level, so the storm weakened somewhat at the top of the hill. Look for a high surface that is safe, sturdy and high enough as long as the sandstorm is not accompanied by lightning and there is no risk of being struck by any heavy debris drifting in the wind.
- Do not lie in the trench because sudden flooding can occur even if there is no rain. In a puff of sandstorms, raindrops usually dry up before they reach the ground, but there may be rain in nearby areas so that ditches, steep gullies (arroyo), and other low-lying surfaces can be subject to sudden flooding.
- If there is a camel, instruct it to sit down and make its body a shield against the wind. Camels can naturally survive sandstorms.
- If you're walking through dunes, don't use the dunes as a shield against the wind. Strong winds can move sand very quickly, so you can actually get buried in the sand.
Step 5. Protect yourself from floating objects
Look for a large rock or other natural barrier to give yourself some protection. Cover yourself completely whenever possible to protect yourself from blowing sand. Hitting sand blown by strong winds is quite painful, but the wind can also carry other objects that are heavier and more dangerous. If there's no shelter, crouch down and protect your head with your arms, backpack, or any kind of padding.
Step 6. Wait for the sandstorm to subside
Don't try to break through the storm, it's too dangerous. Stand still and wait for it to subside before traveling again.
- If you can find covered shelter quickly before the storm hits, do so and stay inside first. Close all doors and windows and wait for the storm to subside.
- If you are with other people, move closer to reduce the risk of getting lost.
Method 2 of 3: Survival in a Car
Step 1. Avoid the sandstorm safely
If you can see clouds of sandstorm from a distance while you have a motor vehicle, maybe you can avoid or circle around the storm. Sandstorms can blow at speeds in excess of 120 km/h, although they are usually much slower than that. If for the sake of racing a sandstorm you have to speed very fast, you should not do it because it is high risk. If the storm starts to overtake your vehicle, it's best to stop and get ready to survive. If a hurricane manages to overtake your vehicle, your visibility may soon be completely blocked.
- Don't try to race a sandstorm by running. Sandstorms are hard to predict and you can be quickly devoured if they suddenly change direction or speed up.
- Take the vehicle to shelter to wait for the sandstorm to subside.
Step 2. Drive the car over and stop
If you are in a transit area and visibility is less than 90 m, it is advisable to pull the car aside (off the highway if possible), apply the handbrake, and turn off all car lights, including turn signals and brake lights.
- If the car can't safely get to the side of the road, leave the headlights on, put on the emergency lights, slow down, drive cautiously, and sound the horn periodically. Follow the line on the road if you can't see far enough ahead. Park the car in the nearest safe place.
- If your car is stopped on the side of the road, you should turn off the headlights to reduce the risk of a collision. Often when your car's exterior lights come on, other drivers will use that light as a driving guide. If your car stops at the side of the road and the outside lights come on, there is a risk that other motorists may think they are following you and may end up off the road or collide with your car.
Step 3. Find a shelter and stay in place
Don't try to travel through a sandstorm as your vision will be severely obstructed and you won't be able to see any dangers on the road.
- Raise the windshield of the car and close any ventilation paths that can bring in air from outside.
- Stop the car and wait for the sandstorm to pass.
Method 3 of 3: Be Prepared for Future Risks
Step 1. Identify places that are frequently hit by sandstorms
Sand or dust storms usually occur in the Sahara Desert and the Gobi Desert; these two types of storms can occur in areas with arid or semiarid climates. If you live or travel in an area that is sandy and prone to strong winds, it's best to be prepared in case of a sandstorm.
Step 2. Watch out for warnings of a possible sandstorm
Sand storms most often occur in the summer and when certain conditions occur in the atmosphere of an area. Meteorologists can often predict the likelihood of this phenomenon occurring. Listen to TV and radio channels before traveling through very hot and dry areas; also consider rerouting or rescheduling the trip if there is a warning of an impending sandstorm. Sometimes there are also signs on the streets warning of the risk of sandstorms in the area.
If you are likely to get caught in a sandstorm, it's best not to travel. Just stay in an enclosed space and seal all openings so you and your vehicle are not exposed to any risk
Step 3. Be prepared in case of an emergency
If you are in an area prone to sandstorms, be prepared at all times. If you have to be outdoors for a long period of time, wear long sleeves for more coverage. Keep some items that can help survive a sandstorm in your bag or car trunk. These items can be:
- A special mask that can filter out small particles.
- Airtight goggles
- Water supply
- A warm blanket if there is a chance of getting caught in a sandstorm in winter, which can quickly lead to hypothermia.
Tips
- If possible, avoid wearing contact lenses in areas prone to sandstorms. Even a small amount of sand can cause eye irritation and visual disturbances for contact lens wearers and hot and dry conditions can also make contact lenses uncomfortable. Bring glasses if needed when traveling or working in desert areas.
- In a desert climate, even a group of motorized vehicles can cause a "little sandstorm." This can be a problem for convoys of cars as the puff of sand will block anything moving and obstruct vision, creating a risk of an accident. It can also cause breathing problems for people in the convoy, so it's a good idea to have masks and eye protection on hand if you're joining the convoy and riding in a car with the hood open.
- Make sure you always stick with the group. If you're traveling in a group, don't get separated during a sandstorm. If separated you can get lost far away. The members of the group should stick together and hold hands or link arms with each other. If a member is forced to leave (for example during a military operation), that person should be tied to an extended rope (the other end of the rope is tied to someone else who remains with the group) so that he can return safely.
- The intensity and duration of sandstorms can vary. Usually sandstorms are small and last only a few minutes, but some can cover an area of hundreds of km, can be more than 1.5 km high, and last for days. If there is a sandstorm, it is quite common for a thunderstorm to occur, so that sometimes lightning strikes in a sandstorm. Try searching for wikiHow articles on how to protect yourself in a thunderstorm.
Warning
- Sandstorms are especially dangerous for people who have impaired respiratory function or whose immune systems are weak. Even small amounts of sand if inhaled, can cause complications that may be deadly for people who are prone to breathing difficulties.
- Whenever possible, do not fly the aircraft too close to the ground during a sandstorm or the circumstances seem very likely for the phenomenon to occur. Aerial vehicles whose flight range is not high, such as helicopters, will be in great danger during a sandstorm. Visibility will drop drastically from a few km to zero km in a matter of seconds and the pilot is then forced to rely on all sorts of equipment to "observe" his surroundings. Also, sand can slip into the engine causing a fatal engine failure. Airplanes, like cars, can create small sandstorms so care must be taken when hovering near ground, taking off, or landing. In addition, around deserts it is best not to drive aircraft on their own unless absolutely necessary, the reason being that this poses a risk of sand entering the aircraft's engines before takeoff (but light reciprocating engine aircraft are usually equipped with air filters).
- As much as possible do not walk or drive into a sandstorm cloud unless absolutely necessary.
