by Sue A. Sponte

Created on: December 16, 2011

When winter weather approaches, it is a good time to refresh (or create) your winter car emergency kit. Specific kit contents will depend on climate, location, and the amount of free space in the car. One way to build your emergency kit is to think about categories to include, and then tailor those categories to your specific driving conditions.  Make your plans to ensure three things: Survival, Repair, and Rescue.

Survival.  A winter emergency kit needs to ensure that you will live through a breakdown. At a minimum, a winter kit needs to include provisions to protect the car’s occupants from exposure to the elements. Without protection, exposure to rain, snow, and sub-freezing temperatures can claim a life in minutes or hours. What constitutes adequate protection will depend on the expected driving conditions. A car that will be on mountain roads far from the nearest town will require more protection from the elements: reflective Mylar blankets, parkas, gloves, and water-proof overwear, for example.  On the other hand, a car that will be driven only on urban streets might need only a few pairs of gloves and a wool blanket.  After exposure to the elements, consider the need for water and food for all the expected occupants. Although a body can go without water for several days, and without food for even longer, the ability to function while remaining coherent and oriented will deteriorate long before death comes. In emergency situations, the ability to remain focused and mentally alert is one of the greatest tools, and dehydration or hunger will chip away at that ability. As with protection from the elements, the exact contents of your emergency kit should reflect how long you think it might take help to arrive.

Rescue. After you have ensured that your emergency kit will keep you alive, you can turn your attention to ensuring that you can summon help. In most cases, your best tool will be a charged cell phone and a membership in a roadside assistance program. If you think you might be waiting for a while, a hand-cranking mobile phone charger will allow you to remain in contact with help, even if your car battery has died. You also should make sure that you will be able to direct your rescuers to your location. A handheld GPS can help, but (pace-permitting), a street map and the ability to read it is a solid back-up plan.

Repair. Depending on your skill level, you can fill out your remaining winter emergency kit with a few repair items. A set of emergency jumper cables and the knowledge of how to use them will help with dead batteries. You can also buy an emergency battery charger that will allow you to start your car if the battery has died and a jump is not available. A can of flat tire repair sealant can give you the ability to hobble to a service station. If you live in particularly icy conditions, a small supply of ice melt might help you get traction on otherwise slippery surfaces if you are stuck, as will snow chains. If you have the sapce, wood slats can be used for traction if you do not have enough ice melt or salt.

No winter emergency kit can meet the needs of every driver in every location. But thinking about the categories of items that you will need, and then filling your available space with items that are tailored to your climate, location, and your particular skills, you can tailor your vehicle emergency kit to maximize your ability to survive, repair, and get rescued.

Learn more about this author, Sue A. Sponte.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.