Winter travel can be unforgiving if you happen to break down on the side of the road. That’s why every family traveling this winter (and summer too, for that matter), should have an emergency car kit for roadside emergencies as part of their larger family survival kit. You can purchase assembled car survival kits, but like most things, I prefer to buy the emergency supplies separately and put a kit together myself.

What To Put In Your Auto Emergency Kit

There are a few basic supplies every good emergency car kit should have, regardless of the time of year or the distance of your commute.

Portable air compressor. I recently picked up a Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator portable air compressor to keep in my trunk. The thing is a life-saver if you notice your tire losing air, or come back to your car and find the tire low. Simply plug into the cigarette lighter and inflate back to the manufacture-recommended PSI. Then find the nearest tire shop and get the tire plugged or replaced.

Roadside Assistance Numbers. I belong to a travel club associated with one of the companies I carry a gas card. They have a separate membership card with my member number and their roadside assistance number. These wouldn’t do me much good filed away at home when I’m stuck on the side of the road.

Hazard triangle, or roadside flare. Many people have been killed or severely injured while working on a car or waiting for authorities after an accident. Good idea to toss a view highly visible triangles with reflective material, and/or a few flares or glow sticks, to make your disabled vehicle more visible to passing traffic.

Car jack.Check out the car jack that came with your vehicle before you actually need to use it. Chances are it is of a crappy quality and barely suitable to life your car safely. Consider an after-market jack to store in your trunk, or at a minimum, toss in a sturdy piece of wood to place under the jack if using it on a soft shoulder. Most jacks come with a tiny surface area, and placing a block of wood underneath will increase the footprint of the jack and improve its stability.

Fire extinguisher. In college my car actually caught on fire in my dorm parking lot! Thank goodness I wasn’t in it, but I sure wish I had kept a fire extinguisher handy as the thing fried under the hood while we waiting on a fire truck.

Cell phone. All you need is a charged phone. It doesn’t even have to be on a “plan” to connect to 911 services.

Spare fuses. Fortunately, most minor electrical problems can be solved by popping out a burned fuse and replacing. Most cars come with a spare or two, but best to buy a little box of assorted auto fuses in various amps to keep in your car emergency kit.

Food and water. Be sure to have some ready-to-eat food, such as MREs and protein bars on hand. Tuna packs (not cans requiring an opener) are also handy forms of protein and fat. Include some water, too, but consider how you store it in extreme heat or extreme cold. Frozen plastic bottles expand and will probably develop cracks that leak out when the bottle thaws, leaving behind a soggy mess in your emergency kit.

Tools.  Just a lug wrench and a few basics here: socket set, pliers, screwdriver set, etc. Just enough to be able to perform small maintenance tasks on the road such as changing a battery, a tail light, etc.

Tire gauge. I try to check my tires a couple times a month when I fill up, but it’s also a good idea to check the tires cold after sitting in your driveway for a while. Proper tire pressure improves gas mileage and reduces the risk of a blowout on the road.

Jumper cables. I probably should have listed this one first since it is an essential component of any car emergency kit. Unless your battery is totally drained, or your car’s electrical system is malfunctioning (alternator, charging system, etc.), you should be able to jump a low battery and drive it a while to recharge. Portable battery boosters are also a nice addition to the kit because you don’t need another car to jump you off.

Flashlight. Working at night, or even dusk and looking into a dark engine, can make changing a flat or diagnosing a mechanical problem difficult. Toss in a flashlight or two and spare batteries.

First-aid kit. This might be the only exception to my DIY rule when it comes to packing a kit. Several ready-made first-aid kits provide most of the things you might need for roadside emergencies.

A little cash and a little coin. Keep a few bills and coins in your car emergency kit tucked away in a Ziploc bag. Never know when you may need to scrounge up a little change for vending machines, unexpected tolls, etc, especially if you have to set out on foot following a break down. 

Winter Kit Essentials

In addition to the items listed above, it’s a good idea to keep some seasonal items in your survival kit. The following components could come in handy during winter travel.

Small shovel. A folding camp shovel will do the trick. Great for digging out of a hole, or digging away snow if caught in a drift. Cat litter is also great for putting down when stuck in a hole to give some added traction on slippery snow and ice.

Chains/Tow Strap. Figure out how to put chains on your tires before you need to do it in real life, and while you’re at it, toss a tow strap in your kit and be sure you know solid points to hook on to in case you need to be hauled out of a ditch.

Windshield scraper. Please don’t rely on your debit card to scrape ice from your windshield! Get a good scraper and stow it away in your kit for icy mornings, or even after digging out of a snow drift on the side of the road.

Emergency blankets. Include at least one emergency blanket for each family member, even thought snuggling up close in a disabled car to share body heat is a good idea (get your mind out of the gutter – we got kids in the car!).

Photo by karlfrankowski

As someone interested in topics related to survival and preparedness, I enjoy a survival television show. I’m talking real survival here, not Survivor, which is just a Hollywood version of a bad survival show.

After the September 11 terrorist attacks back in 2001, many people took an interest in learning basic survival skills. And the media was ready to deliver. Not long after, shows like Survivorman and then Man vs. Wild. A new show, Surviving Disaster recently started up on Spike TV, and it shows promise as a show that focuses on surviving various disasters, natural and man-made (fires, terrorism, etc.).

I’ve written a brief review of my two favorite survival television shows below, along with viewing information.

Man vs. Wild (Wednesdays, 9:00pm Discovery Channel). Since late 2006, Bear Grylls, former member of the SAS (Special Air Service), has been taking viewers through real-life survival situations. I particularly like this format because unlike other survival television shows, this one teaches you how to look for a way out, not just get by. I’d highly recommend this for anyone considering hiking, mountain climbing, etc, and of course, anyone interested in general survival topics.

One knock on Grylls’ show is that he occasionally receives help throughout his survival situation. I don’t see this as a problem, personally, but others feels this makes the show less authentic. I look at it from the perspective thate Grylls has a camera crew in tow, and is responsible for their safety, too. At times, conditions make it nearly impossible for the entire crew to survive without calling for help.

Surviving Disaster (Tuesdays, 10:00pm Spike TV). Surviving disaster debuted on September 1st, 2009. Former Navy SEAL, Cade Courtley, teaches viewers how to survive various disaster scenarios. Based on real-life events (such as the inaugural episode’s similarities to the September 11th hijackings), the show is re-enacted with plenty of realistic gore such as injuries, violence, etc. It is not for the faint of heart, but I think it helps to see this stuff to somewhat prepare for it in real life.

The first two episodes focused on surviving a plane hijacking and a burning office building. Each episode was filled with practical tips on improvisation, self defense and emergency preparedness. I’m already a fan, and looking forward to future episodes. Up next week: How to Survive a Hurricane.

It is estimated that over half of people that fall from a height of four stories are killed.  Of those that do survive, many made it because they avoided injuring vital organs by landing on their feet, rather than on their head or their back. Unfortunately, under most circumstances you will have little to say about how you fall, what you have with you when you fall, and where you land, but exerting even the smallest amount of control over these elements of falling can make the difference in survival or death.

Slowing the Descent – Wind Resistance

If you are falling only forty or fifty feet the ride ends pretty quickly.  But falls from heights of several hundred feet last several seconds.  Alcides Moreno, a New York City window washer, fell about 500 feet and lived to tell about out it.

There are several theories on how he survived the fall, but most are centered around the idea that he grabbed onto the scaffolding that gave way.  The scaffolding acted as a giant sail, increasing Moreno’s surface area and thereby increasing the wind resistance experience during the fall.  If you find yourself in a similar situation look for something to take down with you.  A board, a sign, anything bigger than your are can help slow down your descent.  It may not seem like much, but the difference in reaching terminal velocity before hitting the ground and anything less significantly reduces your chances of survival.

The Landing Spot

Obviously, you may not have the time or the ability to choose where you fall. However, if you have at least an ounce of control over where you are falling, there are a couple things to look out for.

• Avoid landing on concrete. The stuff just doesn’t give.
• Look for an area clear of debris. Many people would have survived falls were it not for the fence post that impaled them, or the jagged rock that punctured a vital organ.
• Avoid people. If you have to jump to avoid being burned to death, or otherwise mamed, try to jump clear of others. No sense in taking out two people.
• Grassy, soft areas are ideal. Again, if you have a say in where you fall, go for the green stuff.

Best Body Position for Landing From a High Fall

Most deaths from high falls are caused by severe head trauma.  The second leading killer is trauma to the pelvis, which encapsulates major organs and blood vessels that when injured can lead to significant internal bleeding.  Your best chance of survival is to keep your head the furthest away from the ground on landing, which usually means a standing position.  Keep your knees slightly bent and relaxed to act as shock absorbers.

Try to stick the landing on the balls of your feet.  Chances are this position will shatter your lower extremities, breaking legs and ankles and possibly even hip bones, but as a last resort it gives you the highest chance of surviving a high fall.

In a recent post about bug out bags I mentioned one of the items was an emergency survival blanket. These are good to have on hand in case you have to bug out in cold weather and need to bundle up to stay warm. Emergency blankets are also good to have as part of a car emergency kit.

We have a couple of the emergency blanket 4-packs shown here scattered around our cars, home emergency kits, bug out bag, etc

If you don’t have a formal car emergency kit store a few of these blankets in your glove box. If you happen to get stranded and have to hunker down in your car, these mylar blankets may provide the additional insulation you need to get through a cold night.

Here’s a few benefits of having a Mylar emergency blanket along for the ride:

• Emergency blankets have a reflective quality which makes them easily seen by rescuers if you are huddled under one in the wild
• Most Mylar blankets retains  up to 90% of your body heat
• Mylar blankets are reusable, waterproof and windproof
• Lining the inside of a sleeping bag with an emergency blanket can improve the insulating properties of your bag

An emergency blanket is a necessity in cold weather travel, but don’t underestimate how cool it can get in a dead car in warmer months. As nighttime temperatures drop, you could be exposed to cool temperatures in even the fall and spring in many parts of the country.

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can cause conditions such as hypothermia. Don’t take that chance – have a number of emergency blankets for home and the road.

In a survival situation you may have to resort to collecting untreated water for drinking. The average person needs up to a gallon of water a day in hot weather to stay properly hydrated. Unfortunately, untreated water found in rivers and lakes often has bacteria and other parasites in it making it unsafe to consume without purifying it first. The best way to purify water in a survival scenario is to start a fire and boil the water to kill any microscopic parasites.

What Happens If You Drink Contaminated Water?

First, understand that nearly all untreated water found naturally contains bacteria and other parasites not safe for humans. One of the more prevalent ones is Giardia. Giardia is a microscopic parasite (Giardia intestinalis) that hangs out in untreated water.

Millions of these parasites are released in fecal matter of an animal that has been infected, and it eventually makes its way into the natural water supply. If you ingest Giardia it can cause severe diarrhea in humans, leading to dehydration – which is something you definitely want to avoid if fluids are already scarce.

How Long Should You Boil Water To Purify It?

Most experts agree that one minute at a rapid boil is sufficient. By the time the water reaches a boiling temperature it is hot enough to kill most disease-causing organisms. I usually allow the water to come to a full boil for one minute, then I kill the heat source to preserve fuel and let the water simmer for a short time before pouring it up. One thing to keep in mind is that the longer you allow the water to steam, the more you’ll lose to evaporation.

One note about length of time to boil the water in order to purify it. If you are at a high elevation allow the water to boil for 3-5 minutes, since water boils at a lower temperature at higher elevations.

Preparing Water for Boiling

Its a good idea to include a couple stainless steel mugs or pots in your bug out bag. Plastic containers with a large surface area are good for catching water, but not so good for boiling it.

If the water you collect is particularly dirty or cloudy, use something to filter it before pouring into your clean, boiling container. I recommend taking along a few coffee filters, but any clean piece of cloth will do. In a pinch you could use a handkerchief, a piece of cotton plugged into a funnel or water bottle, or even a clean section of a cotton t-shirt.

Nothing is 100% Effective

While boiling water is probably the best way to purify it in a survival scenario, nothing is a sure thing. Boiling water will likely kill most of the contaminants, but if will not remove things like industrial or radioactive waste. These contaminants can only be removed through a distillation process that probably won’t be available on the go. Drinking untreated water is a risk, but death due to dehydration will be inevitable without staying hydrate.

The best way to define a “bug out bag” is to use a real-life scenario. You just got word there is a raging wildfire headed for your home (something Californians are dealing with right now). You have exactly ten minutes to get out of your home. Because you are not sure if you home will survive the fire, or how long you may be living out of your car, you will need to grab just a few essentials and run. That’s when bug out bags come in handy.

Our bug out bags are actually two old backpacks that we had retired from everyday use, and a duffle bag like the one shown above. My wife and I share the duffle, and each kid has their own bug out bag with kid-friendly survival gear tucked away in their closet. They know that if mom or dad runs to their room and screams, “Hurry, we have to bug out of here!” they are to grab only their bags and get out of the house as quickly as possible.

It’s worth mentioning here that taking time to open the closet door and grab the bag is a luxury of advanced notice – any notice. If there is an immediate danger (intruder, fire inside the home, etc.) the kids know to just get out with their lives. Be sure to emphasize the different scenarios and come up with a code word or phrase so the kids will know when to grab their bug out bags and when to just get out as quickly as possible.

What Goes In a Bug Out Bag?

We add inventory to our bug out bags as we accumulate things, so this will probably become a living list. My personal bug out bag consists of more survival gear than the ones for the kids. It’s a little heavier, and there are a few things in there that I do not want stored in their rooms (fire starting gear, a small axe, etc.). Their bags have mostly things like a change of clothes, an emergency contact card, a blanket, a couple water bottles, etc.).

Our “survival gear” bug out bag has the following contents:

• A couple rations of food (high-calorie bars). We also have a few packs of Ramen noodles because they have a lot of calories and are easy to prepare, but are extremely light.
• Flashlights. One in each bag. Never burn more than one light at a time to preserve batteries. A hand-crank light is good here, too, for battery-less operation.
• Batteries.  To power flashlights, mainly. Be sure to have the right size for your equipment, and pack plenty of extras.
• Glow sticks. When flashlights and batteries run out.
• Hand-crank emergency radio. Great for power outages, and if you are on the run, good for keeping up with emergency broadcast.
• Multi-tool. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere without a good multi-tool!
• Knives. We have several kinds of knives. A folding camp knife with a saw edge, a Swiss Army knife with attachments, a large, fixed-blade survival knife, etc.).
• Change of clothes. Lean towards cold weather gear, and consider an emergency rain poncho.
• Water purification tablets/drops. For treating water before drinking when boiling is not practical, or in addition to boiling just to be safe.
• Stainless steel Kanteen. This 40 oz. mug can be hung over an open flame for boiling water to kill bacteria/parasites found in untreated water.
• Emergency blankets. These Mylar blankets are good to have on hand – we even keep a couple in our car’s glove box.
• Fire-starter materials. Range of materials for starting a fire. We have a butane torch lighter, a magnesium stick, water proof matches, kindling sticks, cotton balls and petroleum jelly.
• Rope/cord. Some 550 paracord is good to have for tying up food, making a shelter, and dozens of other uses.
• Compass. Nothing elaborate, just one that consistently and reliably gives you a north heading.
• Map of your surrounding area. Check out a local visitor center or convenience store to pick up a local and state map.
• Signal mirror. If you are stranded and in need of rescue, a signal mirror is a good way to get a pilot’s attention.
• A safety whistle for each family member. Again, good for rescue situations. You can make a lot more noise for less energy with a whistle than screaming. This is also a good way to find each other if you get separated. Tell everyone to whistle periodically and follow the sound.
• Couple fishing lures and line. You never know when you might have to seek refuge near a river or body of water. Don’t kick yourself for not having a little fishing line and a few hooks.
• Camp axe. One of the first things I check for when camping. Great for splitting firewood, chopping down a small tree for shelter, etc.
• First aid kit. Large kits take up a lot of room, so look for something compact with the basics, or a soft-sided, notebook size kit.
• Survival handbook. Read it before you need the info, but store it in your bug out bag for reference.
• Roll of duct tape. Needs no further explanation, really.
• Cash and coins. Store a couple hundred in cash in a waterproof tube, and consider taking a long a roll or two of quarters.
• Ziploc bags. Great for waterproofing, food rationing, etc.
• Deck of cards (to fight boredom). Don’t discount the psychological aspects of survival. After a day or two, boredom will set in and you’ll be glad to have a deck of cards to pass the time.

First, a bit about the author. My name is Luke, and I live in the southeastern United States. I’ve always been sort of a “survival enthusiast,” though I must tell you right off the bat that I possess no formal training. However, I have read a number of books on the subject, and I have talked with a few people who have received survival training.

I do not live on a survival retreat in northern Idaho (though I wish I did). In fact, I’m stuck in the suburbs as I suspect many of you are. While we do hope to one day get away from neighborhood living, for now we are trying to implement some family preparedness strategies to prepare us for any impending emergencies.

Emergencies can come in all shapes and sizes, from a full-scale “The End of The World As We Know It” event to a local natural disaster. Each event requires some unique form of emergency survival, but most of them can be survived by following a few basic readiness principles.

Family Survival Preparedness 101

1. Have enough consumable water on hand. Minimum of one gallon per person per day (12 gallons for a family of four). Hopefully, after 72 hours water treatment facilities could restore water service. Purification systems, tablets, or iodine-based purifiers might be good to have, too, for longer outages.

2. Put together a “bug out bag” for each family member old enough to carry one. What types of survival gear goes in your B.O.B? We’ll discuss that in some detail on the blog, but the basics include a couple rations of food, flashlights, batteries, multi-tool, knife, change of clothes, emergency blanket, firestarter materials, rope, compass, signal mirror, whistle, and so on.

3. Have a family emergency plan and rendezvous point. Establish a rendezvous point within walking distance of your home, school and office. Might be a neighborhood playground, your church, or a landmark that is important to your family. Rehearse various types of emergencies and be sure everyone is on board.

4. Consider arming yourself.I’m not what you would call a gun aficionado, but my family grew up with guns. If you have small kids, or are generally worried about their access, consider locking them up in a safe. Just be sure you can get to them in a large-scale emergency. Past events have shown us that looting and lawlessness is a common in the aftermath of disasters.

5. Store a reserve of money, metals, and goods to barter. If we experience an economic collapse, it is quite possible that we could return to a barter system, at least in the short term. For smaller emergencies, like the kind that knock out power or connectivity to ATM machines, it is a good idea to save a little stash of cash at home.

6. Stockpile non-perishable food and consider growing your own. We have a fledgling garden in our backyard. It doesn’t yield much, but will in the years to come. We like to think of our food storage in three levels: the normal inventory we have on hand, the items we have stockpiled, and the food that we grow. If we were forced to survive on things we grew, it would get lean pretty quick. However, it would be possible to survive on a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables if we lost or consumed everything else.

Those are my rules for family survival preparedness in a nutshell. But there is a lot more to discuss, so I hope you will stick around for more ideas in the coming weeks and months.