Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff (Half a Tank)

Dear Preppers and Survivalists,

Pushing Through (ca 2015)

photograph by

Oregon Department of Transportation

I was going to keep this for another day, but I figured I would use it, today.


Currently
All throughout the nation, it is cold, or at least it was when I was writing this blurb.

So, ... Sooner or later, you and your family will have to deal with staying warm, in your car, while you wait to be rescued.

So, ... What are you going to do?


Motorcycles
Something that every motorcyclists know is to, 'Dress for the Slide. Not the Ride'

What this means to you and your family is to make sure you are taking a warm coat, gloves, and a hat with you when you leave the house, in your car.

Why?

You might break down and have to stay warm for the walk to the nearest assistance.

Or, ... You might have to use your ...


Car Kit
That's right. Every vehicle should have a method of keeping you and your family warm, in the winter.

Just like the video, linked above, you might find yourself on the side of the road for 12, 18, 24, ... Maybe even 48 hours.

Your family can accomplish this a few different ways.

First, you could purchase a Little Buddy Heater with several small propane cylinders to keep your family warm.

Another option for your family could be a small metal open top can with several votive candles and a pack of matches.

Another option is to have several blankets for each passenger and the driver.

Either way, having ...


A Half a Tank of Fuel
When do you get fuel? I use to fill up my car every day, after work. The gasoline station was on my way home, so it wasn't that big of a hassle. Fast forward a few years, and a move to a new home, it stopped making sense because it was a 'special' trip to fill up.

So, ... I would run the gas tank down to one or two gallons. This was convenient but a a big mistake, especially during the winter commute.

Now a days, I make sure I always have at least a half a tank of fuel.

Needless to say,  I have learned, in my old age to stop ...

Every Winter (ca 2008)

photograph by

Arseniy K.

Doing It, ... Wrong
Every winter, I see folks running around town, like the picture above.

These folks have just enough cleared windshield to see straight forward, but they can't see anything coming from the side.

Bad idea.


Alcohol
Another bad idea is drinking alcohol to stay warm. It's better to burn it as a heat source, such as a home-made alcohol heater.


Link:
Start Backpacking - Build a Homemade Alcohol Stove
https://www.startbackpacking.com/travel/homemade-alcohol-stove/

Offgrid Survival - How to stay warm if your vehicle is stranded in a winter storm.
https://offgridsurvival.com/strandedvehicle/

LifeHacker - Put Together a Winter Car Emergency Kit
https://lifehacker.com/5392291/put-together-a-winter-car-emergency-kit

Channel Four - 20 Ways to Stay Warm (and Safe) When It's Ridiculously Cold
https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/stories/20-Cold-Weather-Tips-to-Keep-You-Safe-and-Toasty-287810431.html