College of DuPage Stormchasing Guides, Rules, and Suggestions

1. College of DuPage StormchasingGuides, Rules, and Suggestions

2. Clothing • Laundry is only a possibility, not a guarantee. • It is hot outside, chilly in the van and in the outflow. • At least one pair of jeans. • One nice, casual shirt (polo, etc). • Two pairs of shoes with at least one pair of gym shoes. (Juuuuuust incase!) (also for softball and frisbee!) • Swimming gear. • Sunglass and maybe a hat. • Clothes with lots of pockets are great for storing film, filters, lenses, sunglasses, etc. • Bring with you at least one sweatshirt and/or windbreaker. Outflow can make it cold.

3. Luggage and Packing Tips • One Duffle Bag or Soft Suitcase. • One Carry-On Bag (backpack, etc). • You may bring your lap-top, as well. • Bring with a garbage bag or plastic bag for your dirty clothes. • Bring Ziploc bags for shampoo, contact solution, etc. Sometimes they might “explode”.

4. Health and Comfort Items • If you wear contacts, you should bring… • Re-wetting drops • Extra contacts • Your prescription glasses • Don’t forget your case and solution! • Medicines (aspirin, Dramamine, allergy, etc) • Eye drops • Health insurance card • Tissues (especially the girls) • Sunscreen and aloe for post-sun burn treatment

5. Misc Items • Drivers License • Passport (required for all trips) • Bring enough money (30 dollars a day) • Credit card • Water Bottle (for refilling at the hotel, etc) • Headphones • Atlas (Mandatory) • Colored Pencils • Small Pillow

6. Camera and Video • Limit your “gadgets” such as tripods, zoom lenses, etc. Remember, space is at a minimum. • Bring plenty of film, batteries, chargers, memory cards, etc. • No flash photos in the van as you will only get a picture of the reflection in the window!

7. Hygiene • These rules wouldn’t be here unless people broke them! • Shower, with soap and shampoo! • Use Deodorant • If you have foot odor problems, keep it to yourself! • Wash your hands before leaving the restroom. Disease spreads easily in a closed van.

8. Seating Arrangements (Vans) • The back seat folds down into the bed. However, the bed may only be used at the consent of the instructor. • A student may only sit next to the assistant once. • Mix it up. Sit in different vans with different people. • Shotgun in Van 2 is a working seat. You must take part in running the dashboard camera. • There is to be no use of headphones when in “intercept mode” of a storm!

9. Hotels • We often get in late at night. Please keep noise down to a minimum. • You represent the college. Your costs are kept down as a result of our good standing at hotels. • You will not take towels, pillows, etc. from the hotel. • Most of the places we stay have a deluxe continental breakfast including cereal, toast, fruit, etc. However, one can venture to the McDonalds or Burger if you know the weather is ok, you tell someone where you are going.

10. Restaurants • We either sit as one big group or a few smaller groups. We always figure one bill per table. • We tip 20%. Remember you are paying for your food, drink, tax and tip! • Do not leave the table until we know the bill is paid! • Try not to be too obnoxious (a little obnoxious is probably understood).

11. Radios • We primarily use Ham Radio’s which require a license to use. • You may only talk on a radio if you have a license and/or have permission. • Often you will be given a portable radio (“HT”) when groups split off. Do not fool around on the radios! • No singing, swearing, or playing music on the radios (FCC regulations).

12. Weather Information & Communication • In the morning, if we have enough time, we will try to have a morning weather briefing and give maps to analyze. • Sometimes, in a hurry, we do morning briefings (or even forecasting) on the road. • Most other info is passed on via the radio. Everyone needs to pay attention to the weather briefings and make sure everyone in the van heard everything. Be involved and feel free to ask questions! • Van 2 is never left in the dark! We pass on the info when we get it! • We will try to do a review at night, too.

13. Libraries • We stop at libraries occasionally to access the internet for weather information. • No one is allowed in the library unless you are given permission. Some libraries are very strict (i.e. Woodward, OK and York, NE) • Sometimes we will be in for a lengthy time. We are never sure how long we will be there until we get there. Be patient as we are in there for you!

14. Chase ModesNon-Chase Modes • We have a broad target area but nothing “pressing” going on. • Stops for food and bathroom break as needed to maintain schedule. • Not in a huge hurry but do not dilly dally. We always want to “hurry and wait”. The faster you go, the less likely it will be we will miss a storm. • The Matt Powers rule: When you have a chance to use the bathroom, use it! You never know when your next chance will be! • In any mode, at every stop, listen to the instructor at all times for directions.

15. Chase ModesChase-Mode • Storms are likely and there is probably a watch out or “MD” for our area. • We stop when possible but it is not a certainty. • Stops are usually for bathroom breaks only or very quick food stops. • We have left Glen Ellyn in Chase-Mode. • The Matt Powers rule: When you have a chance to use the bathroom, use it! You never know when your next chance will be! • For every mode, listen for instructions from the instructor.

16. Chase ModesIntercept Mode • We have our storm! • Almost assuredly, this is a gas-stop only (if there is a stop). • Did I mention that if you could use the bathroom, you should? • If you find yourself in this mode and you didn’t understand my rule, I bet you will now.  • The term “bathroom” in intercept mode has a very broad meaning. Girls, this is why you might want to bring a packet of tissues. • As always with every stop, listen to instructions from the instructor.

17. Rest StopsPart I • As mentioned before, we are always in a mode to “hurry and wait”. • Bathrooms in these small town gas stations and stores are usually one toilet only and often it is only a unisex bathroom. Girls, use the guys bathroom. Guys, feel free to check behind the building for the “alternate” bathroom. • If you haven’t figured it out already, the “big gulp” is not recommended! Sipping water or small pops or juices are the best. (Judge each situation accordingly and ask if you aren’t sure) • Make lines go faster buy pooling money, buying big bags to share in the vans, and other time saving ideas.

18. Rest StopsPart II:Think of the Drivers! • They are in charge! • If they ask you to check the oil, add Rain-X to the windows, clean the windows, etc., then please do this. Ask others then to get your food and drink! It is better if a van decides to do this before we even make the stop. Work as a team!  • Sometimes we have to do a quick, fast food, lunch. Again, think of the drivers, and maybe the instructor and assistant. • Usually, the above go very well and very easily.

19. The Unwritten Rule

20. During the ChaseWhile in the Van • You are not only a spectator, you are a participant! Often the storm is on the opposite side of the van from the instructor and assistant. • People sitting in the back (“tailgunners”) need to watch the storms when they are behind us. You are the only ones that can see the storm! • ES 2800 students: It is YOUR job to help teach and be a leader.

21. During the ChaseWhile out of the Van • No one is to get out of the van until given permission. Sometimes the instructor and/or assistant need to get out quickly to assess the situation. • Occasionally the instructor and assistant will need to walk away from the group to discuss the weather situations. • Get in the vans means NOW! • Stay off the roads. Here is a good example, and a bad example. • Watch your language around those who are videoing. • Be careful of lightning! Thunder occurs 5 seconds per mile after lightning is seen. Sometimes we will just stay in the vans if lightning is too frequent.