Sandstorms happen in arid or semi-arid desert climates. Such areas include; the Sahara, the Arabian, Syrian and Kalahari Deserts, large parts of Iran, northwest India, the southwestern United States, Northern Mexico, and much of Australia. Your chances of surviving a sandstorm are very, very great provided you are not driving a vehicle. It was reported in October of 2007 that strong winds caused blowing dirt and sand in California’s desert areas and reduced visibility to near zero, killing four people in separate car accidents.
Sandstorms are characterized by sand and dust being blown by violent high speed winds. The Seistan desert wind in Iran and Afghanistan blows constantly for up to 120 days. In Saudi Arabia, winds range from two to three miles per hour and can reach 67 to 77 mph in early afternoon. Sandstorms produce a blinding effect with up to zero visibility. They can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. There are noted cases in the Middle East where sandstorms have lasted up to three months.
Below are suggestions of things you could do if you encounter a sandstorm:
1) If you are driving a car, pull off the road as far as possible on the shoulder. Stop and turn off the lights. Set the emergency brake. Make sure your tail lights are not illuminated so other motorists do not think your location represents the road.
2) Put on clothing to protect your body from sand burn abrasion. Put on a long sleeved shirt and long pants, if possible. Wear gloves if you have them. Any exposed skin is subject to being sand blasted.
3) Protect your face with a damp bandana to filter out sand particles (tie around your mouth and nose so you can breathe) and put on sunglasses, glasses or goggles.
4) Find cover. Try to get in the shade to avoid heat injuries. Crouch behind a rock or similar structure. Moving to higher ground can improve your situation significantly, but only go to higher ground if there is no accompanying lightening. If you are inside, stay inside.
5) If you are in a group, stay together. Link arms and huddle together. Groups can form a protective barrier to the wind.
6) Wait out the storm and don’t panic. The winds vary widely in duration and may only last a few minutes. Remember to drink water at least once an hour to avoid dehydration should the storm last that long.
Other desert dangers include: scorpions, snakes, thorned plants and cacti, contaminated water, sunburn, eye irritation and climatic stress. So before venturing out, take necessary precautions to have a safe, enjoyable adventure.
Sources:
www.crisistimes.com
news.xinhuanet.com
www.wikipedia.org
,www.wildernesssurvivalskills.org
adventure.howstuffworks.com
