Winter Car Survival Kit

As we are now in the holiday season and still have yet to be burdened by our normal heavy snows, I wanted to take this time to share with you some things that could save your life, your families, and even your fellow Brethren. Being prepared is a must for anyone wishing to be of service to those in need. Having a good understanding of how to use certain items & being educated will prove more beneficial than most of the gear you can ever obtain; though there are some mandatory items not to be without. Here then is a very good list of 'Gear' you may wish to compile for your trunk. A car or truck should have most of these items. You never know if your car will break down, be stuck in the snow somewhere, or if someone may need your help! I write this because when I was teenager, someone helped me. This is part of how I give back. Do not be fooled by the commercial kits available at stores. If you must, use them as a basic kit to be added to. Let us hope that you never need to use these items, but in case you do this list should prove helpful in most situations. I have taken the liberty to add some links so that you may better understand what some of the more obscure items are.

Winter Car Survival:

Always clean/inspect and tune up your vehicle before heavy snow - Winterize by oil changes, snow tires, snow wiper blades, etc.

Have a Basic First Aid kit.

Clothing:

~ extra winter gloves * frostbite only takes a few minutes to set in

~ extra winter hat *remember about 80% of heat is lost through the head

~extra sweaters, and or jacket

~ heavy duty work gloves

~ A safety reflective vest- http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Fluorescent-Silver-Stripe-Polyester/dp/B002FCJ8SQ

~ Extra scarf

~ Extra socks -wool hiking type

Small basic tool kit: screw drivers, needle nose pliers, channel lock pliers, crescent wrench.

~ Rope (50-100 feet of real 500lb. test 7 strand para cord) do NOT be fooled by 'fake' stuff still called para cord, make sure it has 7 inner strands!

~ Tow Rope (strong enough to tow a truck)

~ Strobe light-   http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___87551

~ Road flares

~ Extra Batteries

~ Glow sticks

~ “Heat” - car rock salt.

~ Emergency gas

~ Gas can & $20 cash in glove box

~ Jumper cables

~ Road reflector triangle

~ Extra windshield de-icer

~ Water bottle. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23236

~ A good Multi-tool- http://www.knivesplus.com/LEATHERMAN-TOOLS.HTML

~A key chain led flashlight- http://www.photonlight.com/

~ Flashlight. There are many good ones on the market, use a good one with good reviews that is reliable and durable.

~ 2 knives:

My suggestions

       Folder: swiss army - used as a back up to your multi tool

       Fixed blade: ka bar heavy duty warthog model (1278)- strong, can even be used in buttoning wood for fires, very affordable.

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-bar-1278-Ka-Bar-Heavy-Duty-Warthog/dp/B004NN5QEA

*** Though any good fixed blade will work, so use your common sense for the situations that might occur.

A Great knife link:  http://www.knivesplus.com/index.html

~ Polar Tec blankets - http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80905

~ Gallon of water

~ Food..... MRE's/snickers/nuts/jerky/can beans/tuna/dried fruit/ anything nonperishable

~ A good book to read

~ A few BIC lighters

~ Snow Shovel http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___60630  OR http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___82859?cm_vc=PDPZ1#

~ Sunglasses

~ Emergency blanket-reflective  http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___89035

~ Hand warmers (push button active kind)  http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Factory-Premium-Hand-Warmer/dp/B001OPMFK8

~ Solar cell phone charger-    http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/portable+battery+chargers.html

http://www.rei.com/category/4500031

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/507044?qs=3006392_pmd_google

~ Fix a flat

~ Insta-Fire- http://www.instafire.com/home.htm

~ Extra toys (if you have children)

*** Any extra medication you may need such as inhalers, insulin, epi pen, or other life saving medications.

Some of these items are very helpful but not necessary. Though ask yourself this, wouldn't you rather be comfortable and allow your wife/girlfriend or children to be if there is a situation. You never know how long, or where you could be stranded. What if you saw someone on the side of the road that needed your help, wouldn't you like to be able to offer them a hand? More so, what if that car was one of us, a Brother in need?

Lastly I wanted to share two of my favorite books on survival, they are educational, detailed, scientific, and funny!

98.6 degrees of Keeping your ass alive- http://www.amazon.com/98-6-Degrees-Keeping-Your-Alive/dp/1586852345

When all Hell breaks loose: Stuff you need to Survive when disaster strikes- http://www.amazon.com/When-All-Hell-Breaks-Loose/dp/142360105X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

If you wish to contact me privately about any of these items; my reviews/opinions, and use of them, I would be happy to open a dialogue with you about anything at all. 716-572-2908

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy your holiday season!

Fraternally,

Bro. Krebs