 This winter has brought more snow than we've seen in years. With lots of opportunity to go out and enjoy the fresh snowfall, there are a few things you should know before you venture out. Preparation is key all the way around. Assistant Chief and State Search and Rescue Coordinator Mark Baldwin gives us the top ways you can prepare when heading out this winter. Number one, about your personal self, are you in good health? Are you able to go do the activity that you're doing? Have you done this before? Or do you need to prep for it? If it's left to you, you're going to have to have some additional equipment. Have you let other people know what your itinerary is going to be? What are your plans? If you're with friends, that's great. You're supporting each other, but also let other family and friends know some of your itinerary in the event that we have to go out and search for you. The biggest one is being self-sufficient all the way around. From once you walk out the door to where you come home, you always should have the appropriate amount of food, water, clothing. Now that we're in technology, do you have your cell phone charger? Do you have the correct batteries for your avalanche beacon if you have it? When you're going into the snow, it's all about keeping warm, and the biggest one is keeping dry. If you get wet, hyperthermia sets in and it's one of those major ones that you want to not have to deal with. For more information on how you can prepare yourself and your loved ones, visit news.caloes.ca.gov. From everyone at Cal OES, I'm Brittany Peterson.