Survival Skills: Prep Your Vehicle Now For Winter’s Worst
Getting your vehicle stuck in the snow is not that much fun (unless you’re with that special someone and only pretending to be stuck). But when you’re really in trouble (for example, you drove right off the road in a blizzard), you’ll need to be prepared to take shelter in the vehicle until help arrives. You’ll also need the tools to make sure that help does arrive. And it turns out that you need to have more than just items for warmth and signaling. Every winter, we hear stories about people who survive in their cars when they run out of gas, plow into a snow drift, or simply get stuck in the middle of nowhere. It can happen to any of us, so here’s what to start carrying now.
Phone and Charger Most folks have a mobile phone on them these days, but you should take the extra step by keeping a car charger in the vehicle too. This charger could be the plug in kind, though it won’t work if the vehicle has a dead battery or a major electrical breakdown. Self-contained recharging systems can be a safer bet. Solar chargers, battery pack chargers and even hand crank devices can offer juice to your thirsty mobile phone – and allow you to call for help.
Warmth Sleeping bags, blankets, coats, hats, gloves, space blankets and many other items can offer warmth when you are stuck inside a vehicle in winter. Have an adequate number of warmth items for each passenger your vehicle could carry (4 seats means you need 4 blankets). Yes, you can run the vehicle for heat, occasionally, but only if you can keep the exhaust clear. Vehicle exhaust can back up into the vehicle cabin when the exhaust pipe is buried in snow, slush, mud or water – leading to death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Food and Water Select non-perishable food that is high in calories and requires no cooking for your vehicle emergency kit. Peanut butter and crackers, trail mix, chocolate bars and many other snacks provide vital calories and a much needed morale boost. Buy bottled water from the store rather than filling your own bottles. Most store-bought plastic water bottles can expand without bursting when they freeze (unlike most canteens).
Lights and Signals Flashlights, light sticks, candles, emergency reflectors and even a colorful bandana hanging from your antenna can signal your distress to passing travelers. Make sure you have lights to use for both signaling and comfort, with plenty of spare batteries.
Chains Tire chains (also known as snow chains) are sections of small chain that surround vehicle tires for traction on packed ice and snow. Hardly a new invention, tire chains have been around almost as long as automobiles have existed. Due to their destructive force on road surfaces, tire chains are not legal everywhere or at all times. But where allowed and when warranted, they make a huge difference in winter driving safety, and they can get you out of minor “stuck-vehicle” situations.
Tools A shovel (ideally a snow shovel) is a great way to resolve some emergencies yourself. Bundle up warmly and dig yourself out, if that seems like a reasonable possibility. You can also purchase traction strips to place under the tires to get out of slick ditches and other small hazards. Jumper cables, spare fuel, and tire repair items wouldn’t be amiss here either.
First Aid Supplies Sometimes the car gets hurt, sometimes you get hurt. Stock everything from burn cream and band-aids to trauma dressings, in case you cannot get to the doctor for a few days.
Morale Boosters Candy, cookies and similar treats don’t just fit the bill for non-perishable food, they are good at lifting spirits too. Some activity books, crayons and coloring books can be a sanity saver for the parents with busy children. A Bible or other book of faith can be of great comfort to believers.
Hygiene Items It can get pretty smelly if you’re not prepared for this issue. Add a small bucket with a tight fitting lid, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and baby wipes to your kit. And hope you never need to roll out your emergency bucket “toilet” in a car full of people.
Written by Tim MacWelch First draft published on outdoorlife.com