We got a LOT of snow last night so I though this might be a good idea for a thread. We have people die from the cold every year in Saskatchewan and it seems they all make the same mistake. They get stuck and leave their cars. They tell you over and over to stay in your car and wait until someone comes to get you.

So it makes sense to plan your survival kit with the assumption that you will be stuck in the car. Water ,emergency candles some salt or gravel ,a shovel ,jumper cables ,tow strap, any medication and of couurse a cell phone. Remember a cell phone does not even need to be active to be able to call 9/11. All it needs is a
charge. This is a great use for those old cells.

i was actualy thinking of going the distance of buying one of those cheap prepaids just to keep in case of an emergency and my normal cell would be dead.

buy some rubber boots, the leather ones freeze
carry some easy to light fire tabs, dryer lint is fine
if possable get a heavy water proof parka insalated with wool, I made mine
metal or alluminum cantines are now needed for water
carry extra emergincy blankets

actually cell phones also have an extra batterey life in them that you can activate or automatically activate when you call 911.

also maybe some like extra socks and gloves, gloves and feet are always the first thing to get cold and wet when i work in the snow.
aslo some spare parts for you car and maybe some gasoline would be usful and might prevent you from getting stranded.
of course im sure the bigger problem is people getting stuck not running out of gas.

Cell phones do not have extra battery life in them: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp
A car charger might be better than a spare phone, assuming your car battery & alternator & gas tank aren't simultaneously dead.

The big thing I'd add to the list is some food that is high in calories and isn't impacted by freezing temperatures (e.g. candy/energy bars, jerkey, nuts/trail mix). BTW, make sure your water containers have a way to expand when frozen... it's a bad deal when the freeze/thaw cycle leaves you with wet gear and no water.

Finally, don't forget the obvious (everyone always carries road flares, right?) - flares can light almost anything in a pinch.

lots of good adivce here

I used to have bucket in my trunk with some of the above in it

now I just use my go bag as my emergency bad

I do need something to biol water in though

hmmm

canteen cup

i have one of the red cross battery/hand crank radios. has radio/tv bands, light, siren and best of all, cell phone charger. in a pinch i could crank the phone back to life.

hand crank generators wear out on me
I dont put any thing like that in my bob
mini mag and silva is the most modern thing in there

I have a couple Nalgene bottles 2/3ds full of water so they won't burst although nalgene bottles are supposed to be able to handle freezing. I really like those little survival candles ,a couple of them can keep a car warm all night. The only problem is I had some melt this summer.


Here is my fave camping mess kit. I replaced the old canteen for a new German one but the tin cup is really impressive. You can cook in it ,boil water and the handles can be held with bare hands. This all fits together in the case that can be worn on the belt or pack.


Here is another great tool for any BOB or car/truck kit.


Remember you can go almost 3 weeks without food but will freeze to death in hours without proper clothing/shelter and not much longer without water.


The wool insulated parka is a great idea. I love wool it is the best insulator
I usually have a modern shell and old style wool sweater.

metal artic canteens are way better then plastic ones
http://imsplus.com/ims1a.html
only place I can find em

Today is a good day to talk about cell phones I understand that SASKtel has been down since sunday and there is no cell service in Saskatchewan.
If that happened in a storm image what could happen to you if you relied to heavily on your cell phone