Vehicle Survival
Vehicle Survival Considerations and Suggestions
Vehicle survival is often overlooked because if our vehicle starts in the driveway many believe they will have no problems driving throught remote wilderness roads. This is a fortress mentality where we hope we never get stuck instead of preparing for the eventuality of getting stuck on a road way in the wilderness. Preparation for a vehicle survival situation is different depending on where you regularly travel. What you pack is vital even in a vehicle. You must remember to prepare differently and well in advance for unconventional or off road trips.
How to Prepare for a Vehical Survival Situation
Always carry the 15 Critical Item's, they may mean the difference between life and death. This is most vital when travelling into harsh remote environments where limited resources will be found near the road side. You must plan in advance to stay alive, regardless of the conditions in the environment you get stuck in. Remember it is not you carrying the gear, so err on the side of taking it along.
Chains and a good quality shovel should always be carried. Add additional clothing and equipment needed by the average number of passengers you carry. This is especially important for sleeping bags and mattresses. Pack a reflective vest, marker panel, flares, a large first aid kit, and vehicle repair equipment. Extra fuel is also a good idea, if stored properly. I also take along a bag of wood shaving and a bag of small kindling to make fire lighting in extremely bad conditions easy.
Keep your survival equipment in your vehicle at all times and repack it twice a year to ensure it is alway in good shape. As a final suggestion take a defensive driving course, learn to repair your vehicle and carry a good map of the area your are travelling in. If you travel enough by vehicle you are bound to get stuck and when you do you need to be prepared and ready to survive.
Vehicle Survival Resources
- Wilderness Survival Core Seminar [Suggested Survival Training]
- BWI's Vehicle Survival Considerations
- BWI's 15 Critical Items