Peter Kummerfeldt: Tips for spending the night in your vehicle during an emergency

Anyone who drives faces the possibility of spending a unplanned night in a vehicle.  Bad weather, breakdowns, running out of fuel, getting stuck are some of the more common reasons why a driver might have to bed down for the night (or perhaps for several nights) until the situation is resolved.  A night out does not have to be a life threatening experience. 

by Peter Kummerfeldt

Assembling a survival kit is the first step and, as with any survival kit, the contents should be selected based on personal needs, the season and the geographic location.  (See following list of recommended equipment)  If you become stranded you’ll be glad you took the time to put together an emergency kit.

In addition to the kit, you should also evaluate the effectiveness of your clothing to keep you warm in a cold vehicle when the engine isn’t running.  Most people dress to arrive at a destination and not to survive a night out. — the reverse would be more appropriate “Dress to survive not just to arrive!”

When traveling with others don’t forget to provide sufficient supplies for the additional people as well.  Preparation also involves ensuring that your vehicle is ready for winter travel.  Never set out in stormy conditions without a full tank of gas, a good battery, proper tires, a heater and exhaust system in good working condition, good anti-freeze and a good dose of “common sense.”

YOU’RE STUCK!

 If you do get trapped by a blizzard or severe snow storm – “don’t panic!”  Stay with your car and use your survival kit.  Your vehicle makes a good shelter and an effective signal – don’t leave it.”  In your car you are warm (warmer than being outside), dry and protected from the weather.  Trying to dig yourself out or attempting to walk to help can be fatal.  “Sit tight – let the rescuers come to you!”  Move all of your emergency equipment and any other useful gear into the passenger compartment.

SHELTERING IN YOUR VEHICLE

While sitting out a storm you must use your resources sparingly – you don’t know how long you’ll be there.  While the car will shelter you from the wind and keep you dry you will need to keep the interior warm.  The heat your body produces is insufficient to heat the interior.

Sitting in a car you will become cold quickly—especially your feet.  Put on your warmest clothes (socks, hat, gloves, long underwear and additional insulation layers), wrap yourself in blankets or get into a sleeping bag before you become cold.  Sit sideways so that you can place your feet on the seat where the foam cushioning will offer insulation from the cold.  The foot wells will be the coldest part of the vehicle.

Alternatively, place foam padding under your feet to insulate them.  Place insulation behind your head so that it does not come in contact with the cold window when you lean back.

If you are the sole occupant use a space blanket and duct tape to partition off the back of the vehicle from the front so you only have to warm the part of the vehicle you are occupying.  Ways to warm the interior of your vehicle include running the engine for short periods of time, long-burning candles, small stoves and Isopropyl alcohol/toilet paper improvised heaters.  Run the engine about ten minutes each hour or for shorter periods each half hour but only after ensuring that the exhaust is not damaged and the tail pipe is clear of snow and other debris.  Run the engine on the hour or half-hour – times that coincide with news and weather broadcasts.

Ventilate the vehicle by opening a downwind window approximately one inch.  Carbon monoxide is a very real threat to your safety.  Do not go to sleep with the engine running.  Carbon monoxide poisoning can sneak up on you without warning.  Almost 60% of the unintentional deaths in the United States each year are caused by carbon monoxide  poisoning from motor vehicle exhausts.  It is far less risky to use your clothing and other sources of heat to keep yourself warm.

 If you have to get out of the vehicle in a blizzard put on additional windproof clothing, and snow goggles if you have them, then tie a lifeline to yourself and the door handle before moving away from the proximity of the vehicle.  In a white-out condition visibility can be as low as 12 inches.

Eat right. Without enough energy stored in your body you will not have the ability to generate heat to keep your body warm.  Your emergency kit should include quantities of high-calorie, non-perishable food (carbohydrate food bars).  Keep yourself hydrated.  Dehydrated people have great difficulty maintaining their body temperature.  Don’t eat snow!  It takes body heat to convert snow to liquid.  Use your heat sources to melt snow for your drinking water.  Don’t smoke – the nicotine in cigarettes reduces blood flow to the skin and extremities and increases the possibilities of frostbite.  Don’t drink alcohol – alcohol affects judgment. Bad judgment decreases the chances of survival.

                                                                                                                     GETTING RESCUED

Emergency equipment to store in your vehicle