You really need to read the story of James Kim. He used to be a tech reviewer for CNET. In 2006 he and his family got stranded while trying to return home from Thanksgiving. He did everything right for roughly six days he left the vehicle and was found in a ravine about a quarter of a mile from a fully stocked retreat lodge partially paradoxical undressed and dead. His family was found alive on 4 December and he was found on the 6th. Ever since then I keep a massive kit in my vehicle and I go nowhere with that without at least a backpack. Figure we can always learn from things like that.
An important part of the Kim family story is that they were looking for a more scenic route and following directions provided by Google Maps (possibly Yahoo maps - I forget) Those directions took them down a logging road that’s closed in the winter. The road is closed in winter because of potential hazardous snow conditions - exactly the conditions that they ran into.
I taught survival, those mylar sheets (not ponchos) are useless, however if you have a large jumper to pull over the top of a mylar sheet its good, just be aware that it will hasten dehydration from excess sweating. Your car is a portable survival shelter, as you said, you need a decent car routine in winter, turn off the AC immediately as it uses too much fuel and stresses the engine, maintain your air filter, and radiator and clean off snow from the front of the car and from the the exhaust pipe, if you are running the vehicle, crack open a window and allow fresh air to enter stops carbon monoxide build up. Remove head rests and put them in the floor wells to put your feet on, the metal floor is very thin and the head rests stop cold conduction hitting your feet. Do not immediately put the high heat blowers on, your car needs to warm up prior and needs that heat first. Pull the sun visors down and switch the heat to windscreen clear the heat gets trapped behind the sun visors and lasts longer, before hitting the cold headliner, Clean snow of lights. Allow snow to build up on sunroof panoramic window, as this will insulate the roof area, Cook outside the car, that's obvious but people don't and die. In the boot a couple of bags of kids powder paint bright colours help, you can use this to pour over the snow that is on your car and a circle it round the vehicle, primary colours are great. CDs from the CD player are helpful heliographs. String is your friend, you can tie a torch to it and swing it round your head at night if you hear aircraft, A pee bottle and a poop bag at night are helpful, if you can pee into a bottle you immediately get cold, you stick the bottle immediately into your left armpit. There is a major blood vessel close to the heart (brachial vessel)the warmth of you pee will heat this and make you feel warm, Like wise poop in a bag sounds disgusting but you do the same. Then place the poop outside of your vehicle at all four corners, sniffer dogs will smell this at least a mile off. Do not lean on car doors or windows as cold bridging will take place. Dried food is great and MRE rations are great for the boot, You can make a ration kit yourself, high calorie food such as lard, suet are disgusting but artic explorers eat this due to the high calorific content, protein shakes, tinned meats, tinned pasta, Always have a survival knife in the boot, in a box marked survival, with your survival gear. If you need a fire lighter rubber trim or a piece of rubber tyre is useful, light that as a fire lighter and can be used repeatedly. A dead bulb if the glass is broken away, wire wool or piece of thin wire can be used as a fire lighter in conjunction with a battery. Potassium permanganate in your kit is helpful, it's an antiseptic, dye, and mixed with neat antifreeze is a fire lighter. The iPhone 14 has a built in sat phone transponder with emergency beacon use that. I was trapped in a landrover in a snow drift in Bosnia in 94 during the winter, we had to sit it out and wait, never leave your vehicle, where we were either side of the roads were minefields so decision was made for us. Its how you react in the first hour that determines your fate, we immediately went into survival mode, prepping the vehicle for a long stay, do not just sit and wait and not be active you have to go into the mode before boredom, apathy and the sleep cycle kick in because it will.
A second pair of wool socks can also be makeshift mittens if you get stranded in the cold without gloves. They could go a long way towards saving you from losing fingers form frostbite.
Yep and if I have heavy cord I can separate the fibers into small balls and whittle sticks like knitting needles and quickly knit up a pair. Do what you have to do to keep warm.
Another easy-to-make fire starter: have a small jar of vaseline and a bag of cotton balls. Swipe the cotton balls in the vaseline. Place the Vaseline-saturated cotton ball under some wood (kindling preferred) and then light the cotton ball. Easy peasy. Make sure to also have a box of waterproof matches.....and perhaps a box of matches that can stay lit in high winds (most camping stores have these).
Redundancy is key! In the USAF we had a saying, "Two is one and one is none". My kit has waterproof matches, a Bic lighter and a ferrocerium rod for fire making. If the mother in law takes your lighter because she left hers at home and tobacco addicts need their fix, you have the matches and the ferro rod. If the Lifestraw has expired, you boil your water to sanitize it. Woulda, coulda, shoulda has produced more than it's share of cadavers. I also added a 5X7 tarp to cover a busted out car window. It won't do too much as far as insulation is concerned, but if it keeps the wind and weather out it's worth it's weight (not to mention the blaze orange tarp can make the vehicle easier to see).
I live in Montana, and I snowboard, so I have really good outer wear. I find that nothing is as warm as wool, so I seem to wear that a lot. Along with food, water, extra clothes and a sleeping bag, I always carry a warm hat, good gloves, a shovel, a flashlight, and some toilet paper. I've been in some nasty storms, and my car isn't a tank, so I wait it out if necessary. The night in the car is warm with the proper gear. I crack the window on the leeward side because it gets too stuffy. Maintain your vehicle, keep the gas tank at least half full, and watch the weather travel advisories. Better to wait a day and arrive alive. No worries. All good.
Have a bottle of cooking oil. It's very calories and energy dense. U can mix it with other foods to supplement your calories intake. You can also use it in a oil lamp or wick stove for heat or to cook or boil water.
Where I live now, a survival kit really isn't all that critical--however, I used to regularly drive to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and you'd better believe that once I got north of "Da Bridge" I did things a lot differently than I do down here. For one thing, before I set out, I had my car checked over for any potential problems. Down here, a broken fan belt or hose is an inconvenience; up there, depending on the season, it could well be a matter of life or death. I also made it a rule to fill up before crossing the Mackinac Bridge no matter what the gauge said; I got careless once and learned the hard way. Because you are talking an area where it could be 20-30 miles between towns and if you are running low on gas, and the gas station that you counted on being open is closed or they don't have gas, you are in some real trouble. Fortunately I was able to find gas before I ran out. I never did that again. I had a friend who was from Florida who was worried about me crossing the Everglades by myself. I said, why, what is the problem? She said, "there are no houses, no phones, and no gas stations." I told her she had just described the Upper Peninsula. How far across are the Everglades? 60 miles? A piece of cake. Didn't scare me in the least. I just used the same rules I used when traveling to the UP and had no problem. Fill up before you go, make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Now here's the thing: in all the years I traveled the UP I never once saw a broken-down vehicle along the side of the road. Never. But I cannot drive the Interstate near my home without seeing at least one broken-down vehicle. People in the UP know they have to keep their cars in good working order, especially in the winter. If I lived up there, yes, you'd better believe I'd have a survival kit in my car, in the back seat, because trunks can freeze in the winter. I have a great respect for winter weather and there are some conditions that I simply won't even go out in. When the weather service says Stay Home, I stay home and wait it out.
Doesn’t have to be cold weather. Heat can kill. (have items to block out heat or cold in windows of vehicles too) Staying in car for shade with doors/windows open. Can have battery operating fan to keep cool also the scarfs that when you wet them and put around your neck will keep you cool. Have a gallon or two of drinking water and also the filter straw that’s works in case! (plastic bag can be fixed to have water 💦 dripping into container to drink too! Just saying anywhere one lives be prepared! (We live in beach area and went through 4 disasters) 🤷🏻💁🏻
I always keep my small drone in my truck. If I'm ever stranded I can just put the drone up, locate a city or populated area and then record the compass heading. From there I use my compass to locate a safe place.
This winter in the city/ subarbs of Buffalo we had people die 10min walk (good condition) away from shelter. Hypothermia is extremely confusing to ones being. Make sure snow doesn't cover your exhaust or you will sleep forever.
Great tip on using the flare as a threat. When I lived in snow country I had a very well equipped survival kit in the vehicle. Luckily never had to use it. Butane will not work in cold weather and that includes lighters. You have to keep lighter warm. Carry matches for a back up. Individual alcohol wiped are cheap and effective for starting fires. Single wall stainless steel water bottles can be used to heat snow or water. Tea candles can put out a surprising amount of heat. I make tea candle heaters out of beer cans. Under that mylar poncho you would roast.
I had my truck break down in a blizzard, on a backroad, on my way to winter camping. The tow company worried how I'd take hearing it was going to be some time before they got to me bad, and I told them I was great. I had super warm gear, I had blankets, I had water, food, I had flashlights, battery backups, and even activities. Now I pack blankets, water, food, repair tools, extra clothes or warmer clothes (boots, jacket, snow pants), battery chargers for phone, flash light, shovel, knife and cyote spray, candles, lighter, steel bowl, extra meds, tissues, and hidden cash for a tow if needed. I'm set.
For the entire spring/summer/fall, when I do my remote camping trips I have a full complement of camping and survival gear in my vehicle. Winter is local trips.
I had emergency blankets made of the same material as the poncho. One winter nighr I decided to try it out amd it worked to keep me warmth during freezing time!
Excellent tips. Decades ago, we were trappped by a sudden snow storm in a mountain pass, in June. Mom had a hunch, and had brought along extra blankets and food. We stayed with the car and were freed by a snow plow. Those ponchos are handy to have indoors when the power goes out in winter. Thanks, Janet.
If you have alcohol based hand sanitizer ,you can use it to help light a camp fire. If you have an empty tuna or cat food can (clean) you can squeeze some hand sanitizer into the can and light it. You now have DIY sterno stove to heat food, melt snow,etc- do not use inside vehicle /tent. To extinguish, use a piece of metal, lid,alum foil,etc to snuff out the flame.Set can aside to cool off.
Great ideas! Don´t have most of those items in my car (yet), but I always keep a good snow shovel in the trunk. This allows me to dig my way out of any small trouble. 🌨
GOOD video ... Always make sure your car is "Winter ready"...A car that has been serviced is far less likely to let you down Make sure your car has plenty of fuel for the journey If you MUST travel in heavy snow carry thick clothing and a wool blanket and take a thermos flask full of tea/coffee and plenty of drinking water... You may want to take some food, But if you don't need to travel..THEN DON'T Edit...Make sure the spare tire has air in it... Check the oil and screen wash levels on your car... But once again...If you don't need to travel in harsh snow... THEN DO NOT!
Things I would keep in the trunk of my car: 4 person tent small propane stove and extra propane tanks at least 4, lighters 2 or 3 waterproof matches, small dry wood for a small outside fire emergency signaling mirror Foods would be: :peanut butter crackers trail mix water. To stay warm: blankets Gloves Hats Scarves Socks extra clothes just in case you get wet if you have a rear wheel drive the weight helps the traction in snow..
I live in rural Alberta, Canada where our winter temps can easily get down to -40°, and I don’t leave my home without my kit. Been caught in many storms where I was very glad to have it. I also always carry a snow shovel, booster cables and basic tools, traction mats, etc. not a bad idea to throw some rubber boots and coveralls in the vehicle too
I see you come in peace., lol. Those ponchos are on my list now.. I also found out, out necessity one camping trip, that cheap Harbor Freight moving blankets are pretty darn warm.
I keep a pair of 3600 calorie life boat food rations under the front passenger seat of my car. They last for 5 years and have a great temperature range for storage even in a hot car in summer. Not high cuisine, but damn nice to have if you ever need them.
Thanks much, I didn't know about the road flair. I live in Portland Oregon and have to park on the street. You do not for any reason leave anything in your car here. I don't even leave my registration and proof of insurance in my vehicle. I've seen people get their cars broken into for some change. I do have a get home bag and a box with everything I need to dig out. A few weeks ago it snowed here and a bunch of people left their cars along the highway. A bunch where broken into some where taken, most had the catalytic converter taken.
Awesome video I especially liked the shavings of fat wood and putting them in a plastic bag for emergency use. I use cotton balls with swiped Vaseline on them placed inside an Altoids tin can and put in my glove compartment for a fast fire in damp weather. 👍🇺🇸
For outdoors people: Garmin (and probably other companies) makes a small satellite communications device which has an SOS feature. It does require a subscription, but can be easily carried for boating, camping, hiking, and general car travel. I have one, I think it's called "in-reach"
It's also useful to play with these items in a safe environment. Go to a city park and use your camp stove and fire starter etc.. It's better to learn there than in an emergency.
Good video! One time, I did a little test with a tea light. it was the kind that's about a half inch or so tall and about an inch and a half in diameter. I lit it and set in on my desk close to me. I was busy and kept an eye on it. It burned for eight hours straight!
I live rural so I NEVER let my gas tank get below 2/3 rds. It’s a little inconvenient but if SHTF I have mobility and heat if need be..plus I have multiple vehicles to add to that safety...
Great video and super valuable content! SOS or other lifeboat emergency food bars are great to have in your car. Good for 5 years stored in any weather conditions and don't need to be cooked or heated - I prefer the coconut flavor. And always have a fixed blade knife!
If you're really venturing off the beaten path, a portable ELT can be useful and handy if you're renting aircraft with dubious equipment. Breitling also makes available an ELT equipped watch for the extreme adventurer.
Just one candle burning , with a window cracked for air , can help give you enough heat to keep you warm enough to survive . Make sure you have matches or a lighter too .
Since I live in Florida I don't have to worry about the cold. The sweltering heat is another story. So.... if I get stranded in the Florida wilderness, inside a vehicle during daylight hours, it is the last place I would hunker down in. Since it seems that I attract mosquitos, if I'm outside too long, I will die of blood loss. Either way, I'm toast!
Get pantyhose-look it up on u-tube -great for keeping little critters if you. Just pretend you’re buying it for a significant other or steal one from them.
My Ford Falcon lost traction on a sandy dirt road, and ended up nose-first in a sandbank in the middle of outback Australian summer. Just me and 6mo. Used car horn to SOS ...---... Local farmer turned up with tow rope and water. He looked at the tyre marks and said he was amazed that the car hadn't rolled. Dad taught me defensive driving. He's a fmr rally car driver
The claim of reflecting 99% of heat on the Mylar poncho is for radiation only. For conduction (heat loss from touch, like your car seat) or convection (heat loss to the air) you need insulation like he mentions a jacket, socks, etc.
I almost always agree. This goes against almost everything I’ve learned in survival training though and I have to say something. If there’s a reasonable chance you’ll be found, AND you have a way to stay warm in said car, stay with it. Otherwise it’s likely to become an ice coffin. IE if no one really knows where you went, you are far better off building a down and dirty winter shelter taking every piece you can from that car. At a minimum you can have some insulation from the seats and a way to make fire pretty much from any car. You can’t make fire inside a car. Safely. I suggest based on my training you either hike day one/two but carry the lightweight stuff you can salvage. Stuff that’s insulation, waterproof, and light. Oh and don’t forget using all you’ve got to make a fire. A bush shelter with a fire is 10x better than staying in a dead car. If you can run it intermittently for a day or two, sure stay with it. If not it’s an ice coffin. I mean, that literally what we refer to them in sub zero temps. If you think you’ll be found, build a shelter close by and make fire. I’ve spent the night in 0*F with it snowing and roasted myself down to boxers with a simple tarp. Longboard fire in front and I called it my hillbilly sweat lodge. Would have to do something else if it was blowing much, but a simple large tarp and a fire, you can keep warm. You can’t in a dead car. Love your content man, I don’t subscribe unless I do. This just goes counter to everything I know 1:30 in. I’ll watch the rest and may edit this or add a different reply if it starts making sense but a dead vehicle is one of the worst shelters you can have from all I’ve experienced.
Edit: You’re talking about the 10% of folks that actually prepare for an emergency like this. So if you’re prepared, yes staying is a good option I just know the average person is not prepared to spend one night in a dead car at 0*F. You and I and anyone under our protection will be fine in most sceneries. I don’t live too far away from civilization, I mean I live in Suburbia. I have some female friends that live out in the sticks. I always inform them of what they should have in their car as it’s generally lacking severely. One is as prepared as me though, she just has a different kit. Does the same thing and honestly it would be the worst conditions around here if you couldn’t make it a night in your car and be found. You’d be found pretty quickly. I’m glad I watched more as I was thinking you lost your mind the first 1:30, 😂. God Bless bro!
Thanks Jason, we’ll usually disagree some because my training is a lot different then yours, but you are a Godly Family Man and I appreciate that. I watch everything you post pretty much. Take care man, and God Bless!
Az weather gets crazy. From monsoons to 118 degrees. Quick sand too.... some of the rural areas (like Lake Pleasant) pull off onto the wrong shoulder and the roads /(&trails) can turn to quicksand.
@TheMillieSmalls yep! During monsoon season, the water comes down fast, and the sandy ground table can't absorb it like that does at higher elevations (no dirt/trees). It looks normal, until you step in it and start to sink. It's impossibly heavy and you have to think fast before your foot sinks in. Driving around any of the Phoenix lake areas or off road, the shoulder of the rural roads can turn quicksand. I blew a tire, pulled off to the shoulder and learned all about qs. Got myself out. A truck pulled my car out. I was driving around after the storms. Monsoons are super cool here. Especially in summer.
@@kristenhammond7918 agreed! I live in Phx and love the monsoons…and Haboobs too. Just never heard of quicksand…I’ll have to keep my eyes open for that 😊
Both my cars are kitted out like you wouldn't believe, and that includes custom long-range fuel tanks. I do live rural so it makes sense anyway, but yeah, two adults could live out of any one of my cars for at least a week. EDIT: Just want to add if you're diabetic or you know someone who is diabetic, include something sugary in your food kit. I keep a few blocks of fruit & nut chocolate for that reason (even though I'm not diabetic).
Well, there is a threshold point of stay or go in the vehicle you could at least keep dry. You can bury your vehicle and insulate it. Keep the wind from blowing up underneath it buried in snow on one side and halfway to the other side it will keep you warm.
Great video, all good information except for the water filter. If the water filter ever had water run through it (many people will try it out before they pack it) then it will never be perfectly dry inside and if subjected to freezing temperatures the membranes will rupture and rendering the filter ineffective although it will appear to be working. Better to have chemical water purification in the winter and swap that out with the filter when the weather gets warmer.
A lot of people in Buffalo died in their cars in that last bad storm they had. Granted most of the time you should stay with your car but you shouldn't say you should never leave your car.
It depends on situation! Is Somebody suspect you to arrive or not or know your travel schedule Sometimes you dont want others to know when evading in a non permissive environment
I had a cousin who had a knack for going out in the wilderness without the proper prep.....his frozen body was found in an avalanche because he didnt tell anyone where he was snowmobiling and didnt have a rescue transponder...its sad and frustrating that he had to go that way.
He was a very lucky man to survive.. i was told this while serving in the royal navy 50 years ago. Never leave your vehicle unless so badly damages it is no help to you. Not many cary maps and compasses of the area they are going perhaps they should and know how to use them. Pluss a few essential supplies to survive in a wilderness environment.. I got stranded for 48hrs in the austrian tyrol i had a injury missed the cable car down no real shelter so had to find some, there was a snow whole so used that. There were wolves and bears about but left me alone. Eventually i was able to get down the mountain unshaven and dirty but alive.
Great video and very informative. Do you ever offer classes on shooting or other trade craft skills? I also live in Utah and would love to learn more of these skills, I imagine you would have full classes and people would pay good money for it.
2006 Tech-writer/person James "the mole" Kim was found dead from hypothermia, he had most clothes off, as it makes you think you are overheating. His wife and child survived.
Good information also I wondered if you would do it something for if you're trapped in a vehicle that's over you know like your acmate these working but it's really hot outside and you can't get the vehicle to you know go and you're trying to be cool what are some tips for that
I like you. Your production sucks which is why you don’t have any views. The fix is a little less than $400, and I would love to send it to you as a gift if you’re willing to listen to the instruction of how to use it.
First I would be in a hybrid 4 wheel drive vehicle, with a full tank of gas , you can run the heat or ac for days to a week . That would be my first requirement.
People make the same mistakes in the Australian desert, they walk in the heat looking for help rather than sitting under the shade and try to stay cool
I would think starting your car every 10 minutes would drain your battery in no time. From what I understand it takes 2 miles of driving on average to make up for the drain of starting once. Idling for 10 minutes may or may not make that up since RPM is much lower. I haven't tested.
well thats a lot of what you showed in a bug out bag. the ony thing you havent talked about what could come in handy is a jackery with standed usb and c
One reason i point that out is the jackery can be charged up with main's power, 12 volt car lighter and solar panel. but there is smaller power bank which is good for charging cellphone and 5 volt light/s. Thank you for making the bug out bag video
