Sprache wechseln
I know there is plenty of talk about global warming, melting glaciers, and the lack of snow in some popular ski resorts, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get caught out by a cold snap.
To put that into perspective, I was driving back from Stuttgart with a friend in January of this year, when a cold front swept across the south of Germany and turned a casual four-hour drive into a fifteen-hour challenge. Traffic ground to a halt as trucks jack-knifed, snowploughs failed to keep up with the snowfall on the autobahn, and smaller roads became impassable as the blanket of snow grew thicker and thicker. The slightest gradients caused everything to slide to a wheel-spinning halt.
Drivers of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles were certainly better off than some of the EV pilots whose batteries drained and left them stranded where they were. Not only did this add further confusion to the already diabolical traffic conditions, but it threw up the question about how to cope with the freezing temperatures because, even though the emergency services did their best to provide blankets and mugs of hot tea, they too failed to make any significant progress.
An emergency is an urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment.
The winter season is only a matter of weeks away, and none of us can say for sure how the weather will develop or when any of us might be forced to sit out a storm and spend a night in the car—and this doesn’t just apply to adventurers in the outback. It can just as easily happen on the way back from work. That’s why now is the time to prepare your emergency kit.
Things you need to consider are, how to:
- Stay warm and dry
- Eat and drink
- Salvage the vehicle
- See in the dark
BEING ORGANISED
Putting gear in a box (anything as long as it’s not cardboard) isn’t just for keeping your car tidy, it also means everything is in one place and can be stored at home during the warmer months, or swapped between vehicles, without having to check if you’ve got everything. So, you need a box:
ZARGES If you follow me, you know I’ve been using the same old Zarges boxes for years without a hitch. That alone speaks volumes about their reliability. They’re available in all sorts of sizes, stack well, keep out dust and damp, and you can stow them inside or on the vehicle.
YETI The GoBox comes in different sizes, has strong latches, is dust- and waterproof, and depending on the size, there are organiser trays and interior pockets. You can stow them in or on the vehicle. This year I subjected mine to an enduring trip across the Alps and Pyrenees where it survived the elements strapped on the back of a pickup truck and put up with me using it as a step when I had to climb onto the bed.
FRONT RUNNER I have one Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro and it’s had to put up with varied assignments over the years. Strong latches, sealed against dust and rain, sturdy construction, and the interior corners are pretty much squared so that you can make good use of the available space. Good in or on the vehicle.
EUROBOX Available at most DIY shops, Euroboxes are neither dustproof nor waterproof. But they do come in different sizes and stack well together. Angular shapes mean the space inside can be used well. Hinged lids with catches (to keep them closed) can be purchased separately. Used inside the vehicle, they are an inexpensive solution.
WHAT GOES IN THE BOX?
So you’ve got the box, now it’s time to fill it.
HEADLAMP
This is simply better than a handheld torch because it leaves both hands free to work with. There are plenty on the market, but the one I use is the Ledlenser HF8R Signature which has a strobe function for signalling, different colours, and automatically adjusts the brightness to your environment.
TORCH
One that is bright and with an adjustable beam to shine into the distance or flood the close vicinity. This is a good accompaniment to the headlamp. Mine is the Ledlenser MT14.
STOVE
If you are stranded for a long period of time, you can melt ice or snow (when bottled water reserves are depleted) for making hot drinks or rehydrating a meal. I tend to fall back on the Optimus Multifuel because you can use it with a gas canister or even petrol or diesel.
BILLY CAN
A small Billy Can is good for heating up water (including melting ice and snow), making a hot drink, and for cooking. I have a Pathfinder Billy Can.
CUTLERY
A spoon or spork for stirring a hot drink and eating a meal is probably all you need. But, if you prefer to pack a full set of cutlery, I can recommend the Opinel Picnic+ as a great all-round solution.
FOOD
Stockpile a few snacks such as high-protein Runder Biltong, and energy bars which are high in carbs. Calorie-dense dehydrated meals, which can be prepared with the stove and water, are good to have if you get caught out in a remote area for more than a day. There are many on the market to suit every taste. My personal go-to favourites are REAL from DRYTECH.
WATER
This can be a problem because there is a high risk it will freeze when the temperature drops below zero. Pack a few 500 ml recyclable bottles of water which, if they do turn to ice, you can cut the plastic with a knife and melt the contents in the pot on the stove. Equally, you can use the stove to melt snow and ice.
MULTITOOL
A popular item and a great problem solver because of their diversity. I’ve packed the Gerber Centre-Drive.
HAT
Put one in the box because it won’t take up much space and you might not think of taking one with you when you set off on your journey. You lose a lot of heat through your head, so make sure your hat insulates well.
GLOVES
Just like the hat, keep a pair of gloves in the box. Fingers can quickly become cold, painful, and unproductive. So, insulated and waterproof gloves capable of withstanding some manual labour are a must. Having dug myself out of snow on Iceland, I can recommend gloves from the Heat Company which can also be augmented with heat pads for really extreme situations.
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS
JACKET
A warm and weatherproof top layer is vital if you need to spend time outside of the vehicle, and can make all the difference if your engine strikes and can’t be used as a heat source.
SLEEPING BAG
From experience, albeit not an emergency, Tristan will confirm that when we drove across the Alps in the depth of winter, in an early Land Rover Series 1 without any discernible heating, he was grateful to use a sleeping bag to keep warm. So, if you do end up spending a night in the car, this acts as a reliable extra layer.
FOLDING SHOVEL
These maybe small, but they don’t take up much space and are a big asset if you need to dig the wheels free.
FUEL
Always try to keep the fuel tank as near to full as you can.
MEDICATION
Do you, or a passenger, need to take medication regularly? Then pack an extra supply.
COMMUNICATION
Phones are good, unless there’s no signal. If you are planning to travel remotely, then consider a two-way radio and/or a Garmin inReach (which may even be built into your GPS).
If you are travelling in a country foreign to you, make sure you know the telephone number of the emergency services.
Finland, for example, has an emergency app (112 Suomi app*) which not only can be used to make calls, but also transmits the coordinates of your immediate location.
*This service also works in Greece, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain.
YOU START TO FEEL COLD
Waiting, sitting, and doing nothing is a sure way to get cold. But, there are several things you can do when you feel your temperature begin to drop.
MOVE
If inactivity induces feeling cold, then getting up and moving around will get you warm and encourage an improved flow of blood to your extremities. Unfolding the shovel and moving some snow will soon have you breathing harder and feeling warmer. If that isn’t an option, then some aerobic exercises will help. Whatever you do to get warm, try to keep your sweat under control because damp clothes will make you feel cold again very quickly.
DRINK
You run the risk of dehydration if you sit for long periods in a vehicle, with or without air-conditioning/heating. If you’re cold, the chances are high that you won’t even notice. Make sure you have something to drink (hot or cold) regularly, and keep your bodily fluids in check.
EAT
Eating calorie-dense food encourages your body to turn the calories into heat. So turn to those snacks in the emergency box or heat up a meal.
CONCLUSION
As winter approaches, ensuring that your vehicle is equipped with a well-prepared emergency kit can make all the difference in unexpected situations. From reliable storage boxes to essential items like food, water, and warmth, being organised and proactive can help you navigate severe winter weather safely. It’s essential to remember that preparation today can safeguard your health and well-being tomorrow. Don’t wait for the cold to catch you off guard—take the time now to assemble your emergency kit and stay safe on the roads this winter.
