PI Profits Agency Offers Surveillance Tips for Investigators Working Through Winter's Chill

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Feb 14, 2014, 08:30 ET

AURORA, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Polar Vortex is not enough to shake a dogged private investigator from his or her quarry. Still, PIs who have to brave the worst that winter has to offer cannot afford to be too cavalier. Niche marketing firm PI Profits Agency (http://piprofitsagency.com/) recommends that everyone conducting surveillance in the winter stock up on a few key essentials and learn some possibly life-saving habits.

Staying Warm

This advice holds true for any kind of outdoor activity in the winter: it's better to start warm than try to warm up after getting cold. Pack the vehicle with all the necessary supplies beforehand. Making several trips to and from the vehicle in the elements immediately prior to heading for the surveillance site will only make you miserably cold.

Knowing how to dress is the most important part of staying warm. Multiple layers are always a good idea. Thermal underwear or even panty hose are favored by those who work outdoors for a living, so they will certainly be a good choice when working means sitting in a car all day. Similarly, keeping the head and hands covered as much as possible will reduce heat loss. One-piece hunting or skiing outfits are also good at preserving body heat. Just be sure that the colors or patterns are not too loud.

Some PIs insist on using heaters in the car, but a word of caution is needed here. Never use open-flame type heaters; instead, small space heaters that can run off the car's AC charger are best. Only turn a heater on sporadically, as they require a lot of power. Instead of an electric heater, the chemical packs used by football players and sportsmen are equally effective without the risk of draining the car battery.

Visibility Problems

A warm body in a cold car will create foggy windows and camera lenses, which can throw a monkey wrench into a surveillance assignment. When it's cold outside, rolling down the windows isn't an option. One option is to apply an anti-fogging solution to the glass ahead of time; these work reasonably well and can be purchased at any auto parts store. However, you cannot use these chemicals on camera lenses. An alternative to chemical solutions is to use a fan or space heater to direct air onto the glass, hopefully clearing away the fog or mist.

Visibility is a two-fold problem: foggy windows make it harder to see the target, but leaving the car running makes it easier for the target to see you. Fresh snow on the ground presents yet another issue, as it doesn't take an expert tracker to see footprints. Either cover your tracks or don't get out of the vehicle in the first place when there's been a snowfall.

Preparing for the Worst

Dangerous exposure is a real possibility when the thermometer plunges well below freezing. Mechanical problems or getting stuck far from home can turn a run-of-the-mill investigation into a survival situation. With that in mind, the following list of items should always be in the vehicle when working a job during the winter months:

Two or more blankets
Water: dehydration is a threat regardless of temperature
Non-perishable food and snacks
First aid kit
Matches or lighter
Backup power supply with cables to jump own vehicle
Tire chains

Even if the cold isn't life-threatening, it can still be distracting. For PIs who must spend days and nights enduring the elements, staying warm means staying focused on the task at hand.

About PI Profits

PI Profits is a results-oriented marketing, sales and customer service agency dedicated exclusively to the private investigation niche. PI Profits has proven online and offline marketing strategies that are focused on increasing net, bottom line profits.

Paul Beauchemin has over 30 years' experience as a Principal Investigator for a Fortune 100 company, during which he has patented numerous technologies. He also has 20 years' experience as an entrepreneur, working directly with hundreds of millionaire business creators.

Contact:

Paul Beauchemin
888-344-0434
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