Top 10 Tips for Surviving a Disaster in Your Vehicle

You are your own best friend when it comes to surviving a disaster. Even dedicated survivalists who stock their homes with 100 gallons of water, enough MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat) for the 82nd Airborne and 500 rounds of ammo have long periods when they are completely vulnerable: When they're in their cars.

In your car, is there even a flashlight? A survival blanket? A first-aid kit? Water or a way to collect and purify it? Answer "no" to any of those and you join the vast majority of motorists who are totally unprepared for even basic trouble. Here are a few tips that may elevate you from helpless victim to thankful survivor.

1. Know that help is not on the way: You can only really depend on yourself. In a real disaster — an earthquake, terrorist attack, tsunami or blizzard — help will not be on the way. Don't believe it? Dial 911 and say that there's a big, scary-looking dude pounding on your back door. Then call Domino's, and order a large pepperoni. Where I live, the pizza will be cold when, and if, help arrives. Now imagine a disaster where 10,000 people — or 100,000 — are calling for help. If you still think your cell phone will bring help in a timely manner, tattoo your Social Insurance Number on your arm so your body can be identified later.
   
   
2. Don't be your own worst enemy: While fleeing Hurricane Rita, hundreds became stranded because they began their evacuation with empty fuel tanks. If your car constantly breaks down, your gas gauge regularly hovers around "E," or you defer basic maintenance (such as replacing timing and fan belts, radiator and heater hoses, and rubber fuel lines), it's time to rethink your priorities.
   
   
3. Prepare appropriately: The less hospitable the environment, the more preparation is required. Think northern Ontario, on the coldest day of the year. It’s not unheard of for a person to freeze to death if forced to spend a cold January night, or two, in a car. Make sure you’re prepared for the worst.
   
   
4. Keep warm and dry: Those who spend little time outdoors will discover that even when the days are warm, it gets very chilly at 4 a.m. An aluminum-coated Space-brand or Mylar blanket costs $3, is about the size of cell phone, and will help retain body heat in cool weather and reflect sunlight in hot weather. Chemical hand and body-warmers make brutal conditions tolerable. Also include a plastic pocket poncho.
   Your car can act as a tent to protect you from the elements unless a vehicle wreck breaks your window. Mend that with a roll of duct tape and super-thick trash bags.
   
   
5. Water is critical: Without water, death can come within a few days, perhaps in a few hours in very hot weather. Keep a couple of jugs of water in your trunk. For most of Canada and the U.S., it's OK to rely on ground water. You can also make stream water safe in a half hour using iodine water treatment crystals, which you can purchase at camping gear stores like Mountain Equipment Co-Op.
   
   
6. Light the darkness: Emergencies and darkness seem to go together. Pack a conventional flashlight and spare batteries. Keep the batteries alive by leaving them in the original packaging or by installing them backward in the flashlight and taping over the terminals. Another solution is to pack a powerful DC-powered work light, which connects to your car's battery through the 12-volt outlet. Your kit should include some old-fashioned road flares, which can help prevent other motorists from striking your stranded vehicle and can double as excellent fire starters and signaling devices.
   
   
7. Be able to play doctor: It's a toss-up as to which is more difficult, fixing a modern car or treating an injured person. But in an emergency, you might be forced to play doctor. The best bet is to start with an off-the-shelf "vehicle first-aid kit." In addition to standard items found in such kits, add a tube of Super Glue (for closing small wounds), latex surgical gloves, a topical antibiotic (like Neosporin), aspirin or other pain reliever, and an anti-diarrhea medication (such as Imodium tablets). Include critical personal medication and, if you're sensitive to bee stings or ant bites, an antihistamine such as Benadryl.
   
   
8. Fill your belly: In an emergency, many learn the difference between "hungry" and "starving." Without food, most folks will survive for a couple of weeks: Consider it the "disaster diet." But you'll be more comfortable if you pack a couple of military-style ready-to-eat meals (available from camping or survival stores) or cans of Spam. One way to tell you're truly hungry: You're eating Spam.
   
   
9. Carry some extras: Pack a can of tire inflator/sealant and a container of radiator stop-leak. Duct tape can be used for anything from repairing a punctured radiator hose to securing bandages. Also include a pair of thick leather work gloves, a small fire extinguisher, an old pair of running shoes and toilet paper. Include some cash and a couple of dollars in quarters. Carrying your survival kit in a backpack will help you transport your supplies should you be forced to leave your vehicle.
   
   
10.   Defend yourself: If TV coverage of Hurricane Katrina didn't convince you that a form of self-defense is a critical part of an emergency kit, then you weren't paying attention. Except when thrown by a major league pitcher, a cell phone is not a self-defence device. Try keeping pepper-spray or a club handy instead. Also know that your car comes with a last-ditch self-defense device: a lug wrench.
    
    In addition to everything mentioned above, your car already comes with some survival equipment: The radio supplies emergency information; the rearview mirror can be removed and used as a signaling device.