Keep a kit in your trunk

    I've been reading articles in the newspaper and on line lately that more and more describe people being stranded in their cars. It should not come as a surprise with the way vehicles are built we would feel totally secure inside of them. They are constructed in a way which enables them to be almost completely silent inside, nice smooth ride, no road noise - man I'm falling asleep just thinking about it. As comfortable and nice as they are, breakdowns are still possible. (More on car safety here)
   

This may be worse than being stranded alone. 

It is important to keep basic supplies in your trunk, you can put a kit together or buy one on line that is pre-packed. The kit should supply your needs for a period of at least 3 days, for however many people are with you. Breakdowns could be anything from a flat tire to complete destruction of the vehicle.
    People traveling in the mountains should be especially cautious by packing a bag customized to the trip, allowing for the number of people. In the kit some means of keeping warm, blankets, a small heater (a propane lantern works well), lots of water, high calorie food and jumper cables. (There is a complete list here). Make sure to have socks, undergarments, at least one jacket, a pair of gloves and a warm hat. A wind up radio capable of charging a cell phone, a method of signalling (laser lights work, all safety precautions need to be taken), a means to start a fire, some rope and a tarp. Depending of the location and the degree of danger, most of the time it is best to stay with your vehicle.
    A trip in the desert regions are equal to winter travel, except it is hot. I've lived in the North during blizzards and being snowed in, I've also lived in the desert during the summer. We left when the temperature reached 126 degrees F, it's just as hot as the North was cold. It can be just as disabling as snow. The same items should be in a desert kit as the snow vehicle kit, you may need a jacket, the desert can be blazing hot during the day and cold enough to form ice overnight.
The desert has hazards that are not shared with the cold, snakes, bugs and rapid dehydration are part of the list. If stranded in the desert, get to shade or construct it with a tarp and rope in your kit, drink lot's of water we can live longer with no food than no water. Don't walk out, when I worked in the desert the company would let us work 1/2 hour then cool off for an hour in the shop. 15 minutes in the heat (greater than 110 F) can be disabiling, so don't attempt to walk out. Exposing your skin to the sun can speed up the dehydration process, wear your hat, sunglasses, cover your skin as much as possible and drink lots of water. You may not sweat, don't worry, keep drinking water we need a minimum of 1/2 gallon a day, in the desert I drank at least a gallon sweating very little.
    It's easy to make bad decisions during stressfull situations, being prepared with a survival kit will help releive worry. Stay calm, think, drink lots of water in either situation, signal for help, stay in the shade or in snow in the car and don't attempt to walk out you probably won't make it.

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Thanks for reading jimandkate
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