Build your own emergency car kit that could save your life

Active Times via Yahoo ^ | 2/10/14 | Mark Lebetkin

[Kartographer]

When winter weather starts to get ugly, it’s times like this that your hour-long commute on the interstate can turn into an unexpected adventure, leaving you stuck in a snowy ditch miles from help.

In most cases you can expect to be there for no more than a few hours, says Tony Nester, founder of the Ancient Pathways survival school in Flagstaff, Ariz. and author of the e-book A Vehicle Survival Kit You Can Live With.

“Statistically, you’re more likely to encounter small scale episodes where there’s a blizzard, you spin off the road and you’re there for maybe a day or overnight,” he said. (Nester is also an EMT.)

[shelterguy]

I heard recently that due to the cold weather you should always carry that stuff any time you travel even for short trips. So the next day I was heading on a short trip so I brought extra food, sleeping bag, candles, flares etc. I looked like a real moron because I was the only one on the bus that brought all that stuff.

[Obadiah]

Nope, this is sage advice. Each of my vehicles has a “survival” kit of, in part, water, food, cash, first aid, lights, road markers, miscellaneous needs, etc., along with jumper cables, and towing straps.

[NEMDF]

Bless you for jumping in to help at the accident scene.

[Abathar]

*snicker*

[Red in Blue PA]

On my hip at all times (a Kimber Ultra CDP (LG):

[21twelve]

My teen son would head out in 40 degree rainy weather with a sweatshirt, shorts and flip-flops. (”I’m just going to the gym Dad! Jeez.”)

I tossed a pair of old sweat-pants, socks, coat and boots in the trunk of the car he uses. I just hope that if it breaks down he remembers all that crap (along with some other supplies) is in there.

I do need to figure out a way to make the spare cash harder to use. (”But dad - it WAS an emergency. I was starving!”)

[NEMDF]

I also think one should ALWAYS have shoes in which a person could walk a mile or several, even in summer (not just flip-flops). This is especially important for girls/ladies wearing high heels; in reality, how far could you walk with those on?

[Kartographer]

Yeah, but if your bus would have gotten stuck everyone would have wanted to be your friend!

[Obadiah]

Very nice list.

[Black Agnes]

How often do you replace the antibiotic ointment and benadryl portions?

[Abathar]

Hide it in the pocket of the pants you throw in the trunk, and just don’t tell him it’s there until he calls begging for help while freezing!

[21twelve]

I’ve got most of that crap in my truck - scattered about though in the various nooks and crannies. Trouble is the only thing I could probably grab right away are the fire extingishers, flashlight and knife.

Just the other day I was wading through the crap trying to find the first aid kit for a band aid. (One of these days I’ll get organized. Maybe.)

[KarlInOhio]

And don’t ever forget, no one will bring you booze, unless you are very very lucky.

In Atlanta, the first few stranded drivers grabbed the St. Bernards, drank the brandy and immediately crashed their cars.

[McGruff]

My blizzard preparedness plan. Stay home.

[DCBryan1]

On my hip

Good boy!

[Abathar]

"This is especially important for girls/ladies wearing high heels; in reality, how far could you walk with those on?"

Some don't expect to have to walk far it seems...

[Kartographer]

"drank the brandy and immediately crashed their cars."

Brandy must have been some damn YANKEES! No proud southerner drinks BRANDY! It fine blended Burbon and that's only when 'Shine' ain't available.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Add some garbage bags. Emergency raincoat/windbreaker.

[Kartographer]

You would be so SCREWED!!

[Telepathic Intruder]

I have a box of trail bars and some nylon rope. A flashlight, a knife, flares, and a couple jugs of water.