They drive on some winding mountain road, and get in the blizzard socked in. In many cases, these people will be stuck there many days before help arrives. A few key items found around the house could save their lives.
If I can, I will try to retain most of those items recommended for zero dollars (ie: lying around the house). Hopefully it will make more people think of construction, at least, the main trunk survival kit. If you really want to increase that set of possibilities, and then save the small desert SURVIVAL kit in the trunk, as well!
Free or very cheap items, you can find around the house
Some old Sleeping bags or blankets - Many of us have old sleeping bags, quilts and blankets around the house. Be sure to include enough for several people, if you have a family!
Some warm clothing - Most of us have old coats, mittens, hats, boots, raincoats, etc., which are intended to be rubbish. Toss them in the trunk!
At least one Lighter! - For you, not smokes ... DIG through drawers and closets and under your couch cushions ... You may identify at least a few lighters. If not ... spend a couple bucks a six pack of these!
Several Trash bags - large, strong contractor lawn and leaf bags better, but any large trash bags will work. They can be as ponchos, or opened a tarp to help make shelter. If you have a tarp to lay around, of course, to use, but I try to keep this list as close to zero dollars, as I can!
Little Cook Pot - Everyone has a few old pots and pans took place in the oven. You know ... that indeed dented and scratched beat thing that you never use, but not to throw more ... toss it in the trunk!
Packages of Ramen noodles * - These CHEAP (3 or 4 dollars) and is a staple food for college students worldwide. Most people have only a few of these stashed in a closet. The package is enough to keep you fed for at least several days. Perhaps more importantly, it will not block or thermal damage to the trunk.
* You can get that creative items you store in your kit, but remember that in most areas, the food will be exposed to temperature extremes, when left in the trunk, so stick to dry foods. Even canned food will be damaged when repeatedly frozen and heated. Some other dry foods considered individually packaged dry (not chewy) granola bars. Also think about coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other beverages, dry mixes (provide quick energy and / or heat).
WATER
Well ... We did not discuss the water, but it is very important. This is something that will depend on individual assessment, as well as storage of water in the barrel can be a real pain in the ass. In hot climates, it becomes nasty in a hurry. In cold climates, it freezes, and as a rule, burst containers. Because of this, consider the area you live and travel. If it tend to have a lot of local waters (streams, snow, ponds, etc.) then you can skip the water and carrying only carry an empty container (s) for the transport of water and some basic elements for water purification (tablets , bleach, or simply use your cook pot to boil water before drinking it).
If you choose to store one or more jugs of water in your trunk, make sure you have a heavy plastic containers. You can squash a little container, and fill it only about 2 / 3 full so that it has the ability to expand when it freezes. Be careful that you are using a container ... some plastics get quite fragile when they are cold and crack. Test containers you plan to use in your freezer before throwing them in the trunk. Heavy gallon size plastic jug, some orange juice comes in packaged seems to work very well for this. Again, test before you use them!
If the area you live in is hot, consider carrying a stack of bottled water in the back seat of your car. Change it often does not get nasty ... when you go food shopping, put a new set of 12 in a car, and then bring in the old for use in the house.
CHEAP!
So ... Are you ready to spend a few dollars for your safety. Here are some items that will cost you, but not by much. I kept these so cheap is not scared to leave!
- A Soda Can Stove and a small bottle of Rubbing Alcohol - furnace of about $ 5 and the fuel comes in around $ 2 for a small bottle.
- A Duraflame log- they can be purchased at the local supermarket. They have a few dollars at most, and to make lighting a fire in a very bad weather with little effort. They have the momentum for a few hours, so if you can not get a fire going on with one of them ... You do not have to leave your car!
- A can of gasoline - it can be an actual gasoline, if it is in a solid container for use in the trunk. It may also be that the substitute material, which is designed for long-term storage trunk (I forget what it's called). This gas can prevent the existence of a situation happening in the first place! It can also be used to open fire even in the worst weather conditions.
- Flares - flares and other signaling elements can be very convenient, especially if someone is looking for you.
- Folding shovel - A small excavator will work, but I wanted a Glock folding shovel, because they have a built-saw Gerber makes good as well. This is another element that can prevent a potentially dangerous situation. Getting the car unstuck can be difficult, but it is far less difficult than living in his car for several days at the end!
- Bag of sand or rock salt - also giving you better traction in icy conditions (weight), they can be used for traction, and help you get unstuck!
SHOULD you start the car to STAY WARM?
Run the car for the heat is certainly one option, but one that must be carefully considered. I would be most concerned about the fuel. Once the snow ended, and all are beginning to clear, you may need that fuel in an attempt to go home. In this situation, you should consider just how much fuel you have, and how much you'll probably need to bring you back to civilization. If you get stuck 10 miles from the city, and have a full tank, then you are definitely in a better position than if you are 50 miles and a quarter tank.
If you're going to run the car in the heat, you should keep the exhaust pipe. Make sure it is clear of snow or any debris, which could feed back by the smoke machine. Shy of that, you do not need to keep the windows open, if you're leaving the car for a long period of time (which is not recommended in any case). Cracking the window from time to time does not hurt to maintain the fresh air there.
Here are my recommendations ... if it is really cold, and then consider starting the car every half hour or so, and run the heat for 5 or 10 minutes. During this time, use the radio to check weather forecasts storm near (or deterioration). I would not recommend to use the radio a lot when the car is not working. It would be a pity to kill the battery, and will not be able to start the car again!
All this is based on the warm clothing and blankets, and assumes that you do not need to heat a full-day (or at all). Let someone really stupid and drove from the city into sub-zero temperatures and snow cross. Suppose they were very dim, that they had no relief and were dressed in very light clothing and no jacket. This person will need to run the machine to stay alive.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Please, please, please ... BRING your mobile phone! - This is such an important piece of the emergency kit these days. There are likely tens of thousands of lives saved each year because people have cell phones. If you live in (or visit) the areas that are relatively unpopulated, it is even more important. Consider picking up a car charger if you do not already have one. Cellular signals travel at about line of sight from the tower, as well as parts of the valley surrounded by hills, tend to have terrible reception. Thus, if you're stuck and do not receive, you can try Hiking higher ground and even climb a tree.
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