Automatic survival in winter time

We travel to many places in the winter without considering the consequences of being stranded in the cold for an extended period of time. All cars must contain a certain piece of basic survival equipment.

In the old days, before fancy electronic communications like cell phones and GPS tracking units came along, we carried a two pound coffee can (can) with a snap-on lid. Inside was a toilet paper, a large candle, matches, a small collapsible drinking glass, and a pencil and paper to play tic-tack-toe, a flashlight, and a piece of yarn.
blanket. The logic of these simple elements can get lost in today’s traveler, so let me elaborate.

In the event of being stranded in the cold and a blizzard or storm, the two-pound can lid would be used as a base to light the candle as it burns. The can itself, like the welding helmet, can be used in a variety of ways. The most attractive thing is to hold it over the candle with snow to melt the snow to drink water. Prolonged dehydration is one of the leading causes of isolation-related death. The can can also be used for bathing.

You need a good unscented flat wax candle 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and 3 to 4 inches long. While the candle doesn’t produce much heat, in a confined space like a car or truck it will produce enough heat to avoid freezing to death. This is especially important since one does not want to run a car in a stationary location for fear of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is why we have carbon monoxide detectors in our homes because carbon monoxide is odorless and very deadly.

Hypothermia is a very real threat and is the leading cause of death in cold weather situations. Staying dry is critical at this time, and hot or lukewarm water will also help keep your core body temperature elevated.

The candle also provides a kind of company, a glimmer that is comforting to the soul, especially on an eternally long and dark winter’s night. It can give off a slight glow to the outside world that says “someone is here.” It also does not consume oxygen at a rapid rate in its confined area.

Make sure you have a reasonable supply of safety matches or a liter of small, reliable butane cigarette. These and food products should be checked annually for reliability.

If you don’t know what a space blanket is, here you go. A space blanket is a thin mylar fabric designed to reflect your body heat back to its source. These emergency preservation blankets tend to be brittle and also trap moisture. But when used as designed in an emergency situation, they will reduce heat loss from the body in cold or sub-cold situations.

I also like to keep some energy bars of granola, raisins, nuts, and basic protein and sugar snacks for two in my kit for 48 hours. Do not include in your supplies to eat salty snacks. These just tend to make you thirsty. It’s best to use unsalted nuts, low-sodium survival bars, and any low-sodium foods.

Pencil and paper (preferably a small notebook) are good to help you spend time by candlelight. Play paper games, write a journal, or learn origami to pass the time. Those hours can go on to seem like days. Don’t use it to leave a note in the car or car saying you have left to go get help.

Now there is an interesting phenomenon that takes place in the minds of the stranded when they are stranded for the first time. It is the need to get out of your vehicle and seek help. Unless you know exactly where you are and exactly where to ask for help when you drop off your vehicle, don’t go! Stay indoors until assistance arrives or the weather subsides and daylight visibility is good. Even then you must have adequate clothing, headgear, footwear, equipment, and skill. In these modern times, you are much safer and more protected to stay with and in your car. You will be rescued sooner or later. Maybe tired, cold and hungry, but at least you have a much better chance of survival than the palette of the future who is going to seek help.

In this survival kit, you will notice that I did not mention the flashlight or batteries. This is because they tend to be unreliable after a while, and although they serve a single purpose of seeing in the dark, they tend to wear out quickly. They also encourage the stranded to poke around in the dark for help, then run out of power and leave the stranded a second time away from the vehicle and without shelter. The candle will provide light and warmth and will last much longer in a closed environment and will generally be more beneficial than an unlit lantern.

I would recommend one of the newest shake rechargeable flashlights as part of the survival kit. They don’t run out of power as long as they can be shaken to recharge them. These are not bright for long, but will provide functional light to see for housework. Hopefully, they won’t encourage the stranded to leave the safety of their car and stumble around nowhere until they freeze.

In short, what your winter survival kit should contain.
o Small closable, moisture-resistant container to hold the following;
o Metal coffee can-style container with metal lid (one or two pound size)
o Toilet paper, placed in the can when stored
o Unscented wax candle 1 ½ to 2 inches 3 to 4 inches long
o Safety matches (hit anywhere) and / or butane lighter
o Small collapsible drinking glass
o Pencil (not pen) and small notebook
o Multi-purpose pocket tool (knife blade, pliers, saw, file, etc.)
o Two space blankets
o Meal for two (granola bars, raisins, unsalted nuts, etc.)
o Shakeable rechargeable flashlight
o Two pairs of wool socks
o Two pairs of stretch knit gloves to fit

Optional items to include in your kit can be;
o Bag or bucket of cat litter
o Old cell phone retired with 12 volt charger
o GPS tracking currency for cars that don’t have them
o Paper backup book of your choice for entertainment in case you run out of TP
o Possible small supply of drugs that would be imperative

In the final comment, I presume that you spend the time and the nominal amount of money it takes to put together your survival kit. I’d rather it be found to be a total waste of time. In other words, you hope you never have to use it. Probably the most important part of this article is that you understand that you should not leave your vehicle if it gets stranded or stuck. It is always good to have presented a travel plan with someone who knows where you are going in case you do not arrive as expected.

I will be happy at any time to speak to someone about the composition of your survival kit or the purpose of each item. Whether or not you have included an item here does not mean that there are no other items listed. Your safety and that of your loved ones depends on you. I’m trying to light a spark with which you can light a small fire to survive.

This is the Money Miser saying that I often do not recommend that you intentionally spend funds on something that you do not intend to use, but that I have for this purpose, right?