my wife: i dont need a jacket , its only a 5 minute drive . me : dont dress for the five minute drive , dress for the 1 hour walk if the truck breaks down or we get stuck.
Hi Dave, as always, love the video! Living in Queensland, Australia, cold is not really an issue🙂, however, we use mylar bubble wrap window screens to keep the heat out of the car. I'm thinking similar for the 4 sides of the cab/ windows in the cold would help keep the warmth inside. In fact, I'd love to see an experiment testing how much difference they would make. 2 of the same car , one with and one without the screens same time , same place , only run the engine 10 minutes/ hour. Test temperatures inside and outside through the night...
You’d be proud of me Dave. I drive a Jeep Wrangler JKU. I’m a avid outdoorsman so my standard gear would allow me to live out of it for a week. I’m also a ham radio operator so I have 2 meter and 440 gear installed. I carry mountain house meals, water etc because of fishing trips, POTA activities etc. I realize most people don’t carry as much gear so great advice you give.
I can't remember how many times my dad would drill in to us kids about dressing for the weather...because you never know when you might have to walk home or even just a mile up to the nearest house or gas station to get help. So in the winter I never leave home without a proper coat, boots, gloves and hat. Lately I've been taking a couple granola bars, their small and they a carb loaded for a walk in the cold. Simple basics. In the fall the car kit gets a good going through.
Very good video. I carry insulated coveralls and boots in my vehicles in the winter. They allow me to work outside and can act as a sleeping bag. Carry micro spikes in the front of the car. A CT Trooper got stuck in his unit during an ice storm in 1973. It was so slippery that he couldn't walk to the back of his car and get his supplies from the trunk. He was stuck in his car for about a day. Micro spikes or a can of sand would have helped him a lot. I also carry a sterno stove, ss cup, spoon, instant oatmeal, and hot cocoa mix. I was stationed in Northern VA in the late 1970s. The VA drivers thought that the snow was terrible but, they would not slow down and created some spectacular crashes. Nothing changes but the date. Good Luck, Rick
Good video David. But first and foremost what YOU NEED to have is a actual working BRAIN before leaving the house, this is sadly what many Americans miss ANNO 2022
Great information, well and logically presented. And emphasis on maintaining body temperature was the most important aspect. I look at it like building layers of cocoons to trap heat. Clothing first - layered. Next blanket and while wool is awesome, a military style poncho liner works great as well and is not as heavy. And then the vehicle itself is one. So three layers of heat retention. I also like the bucket as toilet and having a toilet seat for it. Step outside, wrap in the blanket, drop trou, do your business inside two cocoons. The heat sources part was very good too. Primary source of warmth is trapped body heat, then car heater and last level is candles. Great idea there.
Thanks Dave for some good advice. My wife and I live at 8,000 feet elevation and even though we live in Arizona have seen it snow in July. We were caught in the ice storm of Texas last February, but fortunately we were prepared pulling our little 11 foot long off the grid trailer. We were quite comfortable while the Texas residents were suffering. Oh yeah, we had a couple bottles of brandy too.
After hurricane Harvey down here in Tx I had a 60 gal titan tank installed in my RAM. I never go below 1/2 a tank before fueling up that way I always have at least 30 gal of fuel. Always have my kit in my truck.
The body is ca 70% water. If you loose water it will effect your overall performance. Physical work, mental stress and climate extreme (hot or cold) will have a negativ effect on body fluid balance. During my military service we were ordered to always have a big thermos with hot water in the ruck ( we often operated under - 20c, 5 days without reup or able to have heat in our small tent stoves ) . Water is always life and is extremely important to pack. In cold climate, throw a trangia or gas stove in the trunk. For morale there are few things better than a hot bevrage, when you are cold and miserable. North Sweden❄️❄️❄️
Thanks for the video Mr.Canterbury, good advice and it always nice to know you got something with you in a pinch. I have used my things only once, sure glad I had it ,Made things a little nicer.
i drive a small vehicle and i have a small bag with a warm coat, wool socks, thermal underlayer, gloves, 2 wool blankets, some water, some food, and a way to start fire. this is a very simple setup that can fit into any size vehicle. there is no excuse not to have winter gear in your car and people that dont are simply negligent.
I work about 1 1/2 from home. Desert environment..it gets cold in the winter, but mostly heat is the issue. Water is very important in this area. I carry two quart sized water bottles to and from work every day. I also have a gallon bottle that sits in the car for potential mechanical needs. Mostly for the odd road work detour which forces me to take the rural route home. Communication is a problem in that case as I would be driving through some mountains and cell service is spotty.
There are collapsible toilet buckets that take up much less space that I use camping from a sedan/bike trailer. For women, get a urinary device to keep mostly dressed in cold weather. I’m surprised you didn’t talk about keeping some “hot hands” in your car in the winter.
I've got everything but the toilet! Women would definitely need this perhaps more than Men for obvious reasons! I'm grabbing one today! Thanks so much!
Just a word of caution to add to what David said about drinking water: If you have too much liquids in your body in cold weather, your body instinctively wants to dump all unnecessary water from your bladder, to keep you from freezing. The less (excessive) liquids you have in your bladder, the easier for your body to keep you warm.
Before I retired this yr, I used to keep just about all this in my truck when I worked in the midwest an the rockies, never needed it, but it was there jic.
This is actually a good list for once. If you take Meds, have those. Have a LOT of food and water. Make sure your gas tank is always full. A small LED light with a long burn time. Your Phone and a real battery bank.
I’d suggest a keeping good book or something to occupy yer mind for being stuck in the car like that in daylight hours. Might reduce road rage and/or anxiety.
Toll money, and lots of it. Honestly though I keep a wool blanket, rain suit, water, flares, cables, napkins, trash bags, and a couple flashlights in all my vehicles. As a motorcycle guy I always dress for the wreck not the ride...especially true in winter. I was far more nervous about breaking down midsummer in the desert in the UAE. Far easier to solve hypothermia than hyperthermia. Your car can kill you in minutes in 120+ degree heat.
My wife and I always carried male and female urinals in the vehicle. It is a more discreet way to use the bathroom in a vehicle with other vehicles around you. After use you can just pour it into a bucket or out the door LOL
I would be in the woods off the side of the highway if I ran out of gas stuck in a winter storm. In my lean-to shelter or Portable T-Pee I have along with my food, water, weed, moonshine, and a blazing fire. Pick me up next spring. I have insurance for the car. !!!!!!!!!! That is exactly what I would do. Freezing to death in a motor vehicle in modern times is really up to the person. 99 percent of people now a days caint tie there own damn shoes without their cell phones for christ sake. I carry enough camping and survival stuff in my truck to last almost an indefinite amount of time. Guns, ammo, shelter, army cots, bedding, (WOOL) blankets people, food, medication, moonshine, weed, water, tools, knives, axes, just about anything you can think of even wood to get me through the first 48 hours, especially if it's night time, your hurt, or just plain tired. Of I've got tents, T-Pees, tarps, contractor large black 10 mil thick garbage bags. Salt food. Everything. He who is prepared will live to see the snow melt come spring. Remember that
I find it amusing that in a survival situation, many people would poop in their pants, rather than just open a door and do that business in front of folks…I mean come on! It would not embarrass me at all…that is a necessity, just like staying warm and dry. And is a cell phone a necessity, other than calling a relative to say, I will be later than expected getting home…I do not think so….need something to do, then get a couple of paperbacks and store in a side pocket…no waste of electricity there….read by candle light…I like the ECO candle heater with a few spare candles. Light and heat, same source. Take turns reading a book out loud for more than one person! I do like your idea concerning saving fuel by intermittently running the car engine. Thanks!
I'd also add a mask for forest fire, and gloves, rain jacket extra socks and boots in case of floods. Most people don't wear the right kind of shoes for incliment weather
I keep a camp stove and a couple Mountain House meals in my truck. But I'm far more likely to be stranded in the middle of nowhere than on an interstate.
A snow shovel and snowboots. Enduring cold feet for 12 to 24 hours is torture. The cold floor of a stuck vehicule in winter time will make your life miserable. A shovel to help you and others get unstuck from the snow.
And in reality, all you got is a couple of half emptied water or soda bottles and some stale or moldy chips kicking around on the back floor board. Some dirty gym clothes in the trunk. Cell phone is at 28% battery life and you don't have your car charger cuz it was left at home or work. Last, but not least, less than a ¼ tank of gas.
My son was stuck in Lexington on I-75 for nine hours with last week's snowfall. Just two days prior, I had packed blankets, sleeping bags, protein snacks, water, extra clothing, a flashlight. I've got five gallon buckets with lids, so one of those is going in. He did encounter people with blood sugar issues, so he shared his food, bless him. :) Thanks for the information!
I would also add a shovel. Even a small, collapsible emergency shovel. It's come in real handy over the years. I also bring my largest pair of boots along, even when I may not need them. Both of these items saved my keister when we got dumped on with snow last year.
Here in Buffalo, NY and WNY where we had 7 ft of snow in less than 24 hrs once in Nov 2014; and it is common to have horrible weather- this type of stuff should be taught in HS for kids!
Well done. This I-95 shut down is total vindication for those of us who practice preparedness. I’ve had to endure the gentle ridicule of my family who don’t think ahead and anticipate natural disasters and their impact on day to day living. But today I sat smugly listening to my children and grandchildren talking about I-95 conflagration when my wife said to them, “well, that wouldn’t affect Poppi very much because he’s ready.” Then I explained how this is why I carry extra clothes, blankets, water, flashlight, gloves, wool watch cap, first aid kit and a Leatherman multi-tool, and hiking poles in case I have to hike out. I also have two orange bandanas to signal with and my Pathfinder tarp. But, nobody was ridiculing me now. I hope I don’t ever have to use my emergency kit, but I’m prepared to do so.
Good video thank you so much, I have all that gear with me in the back of my four-wheel drive because I'm out a lot in areas where you're on your own. Most people don't think of these things. The only thing I disagree on is the snack issue. Not having any food isn't going to kill me but if I was trapped in the car with my wife and she didn't have a snack she might kill me LOL. Thanks for the good advice
The one thing I would add is a good book and a dedicated reading light with an extra battery. Something in a genre you love but not a priority to finish. Analog entertainment has saved moral for me more than once in a hunker down and wait scenario (🌀). Saves all your other resources and calms the mind.
If keeping a few water bottles in your car kit, seal them inside a large 1 gal ziplock bag. Nice insurance against leaks if the bottles should freeze or crack and you can always use the bags for other purposes.
It’s important to note that Lithium Ion battery jump starters and power bricks do not like the extreme cold and heat. You will need to check the charge level on them every couple weeks in colder areas. Because I do a lot of winter driving, I use a jump starter called the Autowit Supercap 2. It uses supercapacitors instead of batteries and is unphased by extreme temperatures. It won’t charge your phone, but it can live forever in your trunk without any maintenance or worry.
I’ve driven in 5 white out blizzards during my lifetime in Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, Wyoming, and Kentucky. Each was a terrifying experience but now I know enough to realize job one is to get gas after burning a quarter of a tank, and at first sign of fog, freezing rain, ice, or snow to get off the interstate and search for a motel. If booked, just stay in parking lot. Now, things that should be common sense: dress in layers, keep a tarp and gloves in vehicle (essential for changing a tire), wool blanket, and self charging kit for sure.
I know I’m late in the game here, but a great space saving option that’s also warm is pantyhose. They are easy to pack, and are easy to put on under the rest of your clothes, but can also be fairly warm. I have some that are lined in fleece that I keep in my car. Gentlemen: do not rule them out. They add a layer for warmth. I had men in my family wearing them this last winter when our heat went out. They stayed nice and cozy.
FINALLY, someone is addressing the subject nobody wants to talk about, the elephant in the room, bodily functions! I don't know why this is such a taboo subject. It is something that is a part of everyday life, and it's manifestation on a crowded, blocked roadway is a crucial issue. Thank you, Dave.
A couple wool Blankets and a few beeswax candles , a bag of Beef jerky and a bag of trail mix ,a roll of TP and half a Dozen bottles of water and 2 kevlar blankets inside a 5 gal. Bucket will be a God send in a bad situation . I carry enough things in My 95 fzj80 land cruiser to set anywhere for a month .... and check this out folks.... I live off of 700 a month , so don't use the excuse that You can't afford it 👍..... It only takes minimal space...
my father got stuck on I-95 and unfortunately his car heater was broke - he nearly froze to death. His legs suffered the most as he was wearing a big coat - A pair of winter under-leggings or thicker/winter pants, or jeans, would've helped him (or a heavy blanket). He's back home safe now; I'm extremely glad/relieved. Reminded me of the importance of creating an emergency kit/case for every car we got.
Dave all the stuff you mentioned was perfect for a 12 to 24 hour scenario on the road the other thing I would mention is that if you require a medication that you have to take every 24 hours or so you may want to keep a days supply in a small plastic bottle in the glove compartment in case you have to take it while you're trapped on the road. This may not apply to a lot of people but it may save somebody's life.
Great video! I live in a similar situation meaning I live in Iowa. One thing I've learned about keeping water bottles in the vehicle is to buy the cheap thin plastic bottles. If you're keeping them in the vehicle all the time. The thin ones will freeze and expand and not break. The thicker plastic bottles will break when Frozen.
I've been focusing on preparedness for many years - and still learn something new all the time. You gave me several good ideas to add to our kits. Timely too. I live in MN and my wife is in the ditch due to a snow storm and the tow trucks won't be running until late afternoon - if then. She has all the stuff she needs in her kit - EXCEPT the bathroom bucket. We will be adding those.
Good afternoon Dave. Speaking of the I-95 Clusterthing. I've literally driven that stretch a thousand times and traversed the area for decades. With modern technology those folks could have well seen how close they were to adjacent roads. You could have literally gotten out of the car and rucked right out of that mess. To have sat there for 20 plus hours is insane and just shows you how bad this society has gotten, this wasnt the High Sierra's or the Plains of Nebraska. You can literally pack a bottled water and hoof it to a hard road and into safety. Great video as always
I believe it was a Mors Koshanki interview I saw years ago where he said to keep a mylar blanket in your vehicle with a few candles as well as a wool blanket. I never saw much use for those things until I saw that interview. I keep a pouch with a mylar blanket, a candle and a plastic poncho, in the event it's raining and I have to make a repair to the vehicle, and a lighter. I have two wool blankets also. His idea was to tape the mylar to one side of the interior and let the candle heat reflect back to you. Another reason I carry a 1' roll of Gorilla tape. I also have a Lugable Loo seat and a spackle bucket. I never thought to put the candle in a tin can and definitely put one in my car kit.
Learned a hard lesson about 20 yrs ago. When returning from a snow shoeing trip in the Adirondack’s. I was pushed off the road into a ditch by a passing plow during a snowstorm. Thank goodness I had my equipment with me and some left over food from the weekend. It made waiting for help till the next day easier. Only turned the car on for weather info and supplemental heat. Btw one of those plows pulled me out the next day before the tow company showed up. Always have a kit in the car since. Great info for those that don’t get to experience winter normally in there area.
My GM trucks have a recirculating mode on the hvac, not sure if other makers do this. It prevents pulling fumes from outside, and keeps the cabin warmer by reheating the same air.
In cold weather you're less likely to drink water. If you start to become dehydrated, your blood thickens and it can't get in the the capillaries in your fingers and toes. That is not good. You should be urinating every couple of hours. If you urine is very dark, you're dehydrated. Also, severe dehydration can lead to poor decision making. In a survival situation, you need to keep your wits!
Really great information and options. The only thing I might add is to place an old blanket or something down on the floorboards to keep the transfer of cold to a minimum.
Great video Dave! Thought I'd add some suggestions, after being stuck in my truck a few times up in Canada through extremely cold weather. Always keep some food on hand - a severe blizzard might last several days. Having dense caloric food will help provide fuel for the body to keep warm. A couple of MREs, a small stove to make soup, will make the situation more tolerable, boost morale and keep you warm. Also, Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries for flashlights and headlamps, they function down to -40. Handwarmers, feet warmers are also essential. An arctic sleeping bag, with a mylar blanket to use as an underlay. An axe and shovel are a must. They can provide shelter and fuel for fire if the situation becomes very dire. I'd also recommend a dual battery kit for the vehicle, if the vehicle is designed for it and it's within a persons budget. A winch, traction boards, chains are all nice extras as well.
Hey, Dave! Great video! I have a suggestion for the storage/bathroom/kitty litter. For cat owners like my uncle, he buys these pretty heavy duty plastic containers of Tidy Cat kitty litter. They have a good amount of storage space, a top that is both completely removable as well as having a flap that can be opened for scooping without removing the whole lid, and a decent handle for transport. I do a lot of truck topper camping and these are GREAT for storage. They can store all of the things you mentioned in here (with perhaps the exception of the blanket, clothes and charging block) and are nice and squared off with a lid, a bonus perk to the bucket solution that may have a tendency to slide around or tip over. If you have cat-people that are in your life, they may well have a spare litter container you can have. And if you don’t, it’s seriously worth buying one for all of the uses that they bring to the table. Also I think it is INSANE how few people don’t carry an MRE or two in their vehicle. For those unaware, MRE food requires nothing more than about two teaspoons of water (if that) to heat, they’re calorically dense, packaged so that they can be snacked on over a period of time, and have a extremely long shelf life. I know I tend to pack for longer term emergencies given the nature of my hobbies, but seriously - a kitty litter tote (MAYBE two), a couple of MREs, and 30 minutes spent preparing, and you will make your temporary emergency situation SO much more comfortable than what it might be.
Thanks Dave for this. I just wanted to give all us the heads up on a product called the NOCO boost plus GB40. It is a power brick, vehicle jump starter, and flashlight in one easy package.
My wife always complains about all that junk I carry in the trunk of the car. After 4th of January I-95 fiasco she has NOTHING to worry about. I have a pint paint can with a lid.. Roll of Toilet paper and three pints of alcohol as a heater. I get my survivor candles from church. They have candle light service at church and used them for 20minites with a total burn time of 6 hours, when they are done with them they are thrown away. Hundreds of them.. Free for the taking. Make a candle holder for a gallon metal can. Ive also got a one gallon can that I melt down candle pieces and make a three wick candle.. Just can't keep it in the car during the warm months but a perfect light & heat source for the fall & winter especially with such a stable base.. We both take medications so I have a case of bottled water in the trunk as well as 20k calories. Couple of ounces of meat protein at sunset will help the body to generate body heat. We have a medication to go bag that has a week's worth of medications. Great video. It's wonderful for the beginner to start thinking about preparedness. Miss you and Cody on the TV. Beards looking good too. Semper Fidelis Semper Paratus.
I have the DNA for prepping but it was Hurricane Katrina that motivated me. It was not so much the horror of the carnage but rather the apathy and laziness on full display that caused me to gather the most important prep: KNOWLEDGE. Prepare yourself so that vital resources are not spent hauling your butt to safety but also so that you can help the 83 year old grandmother in the car next to you, the 4 kids in the stationwagon behind you and the 20 year old college kid in front of you. Fun fact: The jump-start-in-a-bag thingy has a usb thingy for emergency phone charge.
So some of the people ended up being stuck about 36 hours on 95 and route 1. When we had snowmageddan a few years ago with 24-30 inches of snow some of my coworkers called back to the hospital saying they were sitting on beltway stuck without food, water, blankets or gas. They idled it all away to stay warm. So I would add keep your gas tank at half or more. I always fill at half. Also someone had a family member with fevers so keep a few medications like Tylenol, Advil, charcoal all times in the car. Also extra meds you are on. I appreciate the video and have most of these items but you showed a couple “upgrades” I need to make.
I hate how my friends and some other people think I'm a hoarder / crazy person. Just because I have a shovel, tarp, ax, saw, road flares, emergency backpack, wool blanket, cotton blanket, and a bunch of other things. Including dog hair and dirt LOL. And I also started using pieces of cardboard as floor mats because of the snow and ice and salt that accumulates during the winter months and makes it easier to keep my car floor clean.
For the ladies out there, having a Poncho to add to this kit can them some privacy if, in an emergency, they need to use the bathroom outside the vehicle.
I live in the mountains and I get lazy and don’t keep my “road box” in my vehicle. This is a great reminder. Having a battery is a nice comfort for my travel cpap. The bucket is something I get a lot of flack for until into needed. Also have a truckers pee container/empty bottles. Contractor bags are good too: I’ve used them to keel my feet from freezing with a puffy jacket when I’ve forgotten my sleeping bag. I started buying headlamps in bulk and stash them with batteries everywhere. A rhino strap with a ring for the trailer hitch is very useful too and not that expensive. People will stop to help but they don’t always have a strap. My wife runs cold and keeps a zero bag in her car. Water freezes so we keep In a yeti to keep from freezing and carry a pocket rocket stove and a can of filet just in case: the emergency candles and a can is a great low cost alternative. Good content and stay safe out there! Something is always better than nothing.
Congratulations on the Fox interview Dave. They certainly picked the right guy. I have a small kit in my truck but it does need improvement. Great ideas that I will immediately implement.
Thanks, Dave, so tired of all the people who fail to plan, much less simply think ahead and delay travel! I will never forget my first active duty station. We had quarterly gear checks that included not only rapid deployment go bags but what we had in our POV for preparedness. I was used to it. I grew up this way guess I was lucky BOY SCOUTS BABY!
I've provided my family with back packs with all those items in it as gifts, I stocked them with enough to survive for 3 days and the back pack allows them to hike out of a situation. I also included strap on mini spikes for moving on ice, chemical hand and foot warmers, 3 ways to start fires, including artificial fire starting bricks (small), wool blanket, mylar blanket, small tarp, para cord, knife, headlamp, oil filled candle. My fear was always around going off the road into the woods and waiting for days to have someone find you. I also gave the PLBs
Good advice! Of course everyones got an opinion, so heres mine. Be sure to keep any needed medications in the vehicle. Not just for you, but also for spouse and children. Keep them in your first aid kit, set an alarm on your phone to rotate them each month. Thanks again for the good talk!
Further to the excellent suggestions made in the video and the comments section I also use disposable hand warmers - they look like a big teabag and last for up to 8 hours. Put them inside your clothing but not directly next to your skin. I usually put one in my shirt pocket to help maintain body core temperature. Playing cards and a couple of books can help to pass the time while you wait for rescue or for conditions to improve. Of course not getting stuck in the first place is best. A (folding) shovel and a length of old carpet, say 40cm x 200cm, can help you to get moving when you have no traction on ice/snow especially if you are not in a 4WD vehicle.
I think it is more important to pay attention to the weather. If you know a storm is coming don't go out. At the very least you would know that you need more than flip flops, shorts, and a t-shirt.
I hope the I95 event has woke some people up for the need of preparedness and taking personal responsibility for it. The government can't always be there to save you.
Something simple to include: A little flashlight. If you drop your car keys outside in the dark, hard to find it with a candle on a windy night. Also, *a pair of suede work gloves / construction gloves,* so you can get better grip, better torque when using tools and not worry about splinters or "paper cuts" or ruining your keep-warm mitts. Trying to use bare hands on tire iron and replace a heat-conducting metal wheel rim and metal nuts & bolts, with salt or slush or water or snow on a cold windy day can make frost-bite happen way sooner or simply slow down the work while trying to re-warm your hands. On'ly costs about $3
This happened to us in texas on I35 several years ago. I have/had a capable 4x4 and actually went down to deliver some goods to my moms coworkers husband who was stuck in his rig. It was amazing to me how ill prepared people were. I loaded my truck up with folks several times giving them rides to the nearest truck stop. Since then, there has been a winter kit in my wifes car.
I just came across this video from a couple years ago. Canterbury did a fine job of outlining what we all should have stashed in our cars/trucks especially this time of year (January). You just never know when something weird is going to happen so why not be a little prepared? 20 or 30 years ago there was no one to easily and readily advise us on stuff like this. The internet made it all possible but the internet can't make you get prepared. You have to do it yourself. So do it!
Horse/animal pine bedding pellets, as sold by Tractor Supply work far better than cat litter in a camp toilet. Additionally, the bedding pellets are far less expensive and more effective at reducing odor.
I have to wonder if most of the advice givers in the comments even watched the video, or just clicked to immediately start giving their advice. Guys, youtube channels are free and easy to setup.
Long before I took an emergency preparedness course, back when I started driving, I designated every trunk out of every car to have supplies in case of an emergency. Always food/water, but now a sleeping bag, Mylar, etc. Back then, the show “I shouldn’t have survived” was big, and one left a huge impression - enough to create the awareness for need of a kit 🙌🏻
