Winter Survival Pack

[alaskaman]

Couple of years ago, an editor with CNET and his fam were on a service road in Oregon and broke down. Tragically, he did not survive. However his family did. I was affected by the incident and made 3 survival packs to be carried in our cars. I divided the packs into 3 groups after doing quite a bit of thinking and research.

They are:

1) Survival gear/food and water

2) Medical supplies

3) Communications

I wish that I were full of $ and could afford PLB, but they are just to expensive.

We will be traveling on the Alcan from Haines to Anchorage in November as the Ferry was full Juneau to Anchorage.. and I wanted a challenge. I am getting the pack up to date. I thought it might be helpful to me and other members here to list items that they think are key to surviving 5 days in winter conditions. We can also list resources (where to get) and perhaps do a group buy. I am looking forward to testing the 4Runner on the winter Alcan for 800 miles.

James death was a simple tragedy that could have been prevented with preparation.

Best.

Alaskaman

 

[BCKGUY]

Here's a good website that sells all types of survival equipment. I bought a few things off of here for my hunting trips.....

http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/

I think one of the most important items (along with water/food) is a fire starter. Most are small, waterproof and can be attached to a key chain or put in your pocket. I think a survival knife is also important (for what I would need it for anyways). You can get a knife with a fire starter built into it. Multifunctional items are always a good choice. Other recommended items would be some sort of signaling device, i.e. mirror or whistle. Anyhow, good luck and have a safe trip. Hope this helps!

 

[boston_kevin]

I would honestly also recommend :
http://www.amazon.com/Dive-Safety-Strobe-Flashlight-Combo/dp/B000L3SZN0

We use them for diving, but the strobe can be seen for miles, and at night, easily from a passing aircraft. It is battery powered, but replacing the batteries once per year is cheap insurance. You could also put in some rechargeables and install a DC powered battery charger in the car.

 

[alaskaman]

great ideas. just learned about "canned heet" alcohol put in the gas tank eliminates the water which could freeze in the tank at 40 below.......heck who knew??

 

[techno]

Very happy to see that you are thinking about emergency preparedness, you have taken the first step towards surviving bad times by recognizing that sh!t happens and that 911 is not always available.
I've done plenty of remote travel and have always prepared myself for unseen events. The first thing I always do is tell TWO responsible people where I'm going, when I will be back, and the route I will be taking. If they dont hear from me 'x' hours after when I plan to be back/arrive then call the cops! It is essential that somebody knows what you are doing, since that could mean the difference between rescue in 12 hrs or 12 days.
Secondly, in a hot climate water is your next priority, but in a cold climate water is much easier to come buy so exposure is now your main concern. Lots of warm dry clothing and some means of shelter is a MUST.
Thirdly, try to know exactly where you are at all times. Maps, gps, whatever you prefer. Thoroughly research your route and other options that may be available on the way. You might have broken down somewhere you think is a thousand miles from nowhere, but in fact there could be something useful much closer than you think (ie, a railway line, a mountain cabin, a 5 star resort with an open bar...)
And of course all the other things like food and water, medical stuff, tools and spares, comms etc.
Lastly, if the worst does happen, stay with your vehicle!! Don't wander off like a hero. Rescuers and searchers will find a vehicle 100x easier than they will find a human.

 

[alaskaman]

good advice. I have purchased a GPS for the vehicle. should be arriving today. inexpensive Tom Tom that I used crossing the country with Canadian and US maps. Just spoke with a woman who runs a hotel in Haines. She said November is the coldest month. They sell canned HEET which you put in the fuel tank to absorb water. Also she said many of the military people going to Elmendorf stay there and then convoy across the Yukon. May meet up the night before buy them a whiskey and tag along depending on conditions......thanks for the tips. dry warm clothes is echoed over and over by people. excellent.

 

[Ulfr]

well.. What I have in my truck...

A tent. The truck is not always "secured" (rollover, broken windows... etc)
A red spirit heater with few thingies to heat water (I can't remember the name for it atm...)
Warm clothes, sealed in a waterproof box.
Flashlight with extra batteries.
Knife.
clothes that I can walk in for miles in bad weather.
Sleeping bag or good wool blankets.
GPS, compass and a map of my location. (The gps can fail, it's good to know how to use maps and compass in case of that)
Emergency supplies of food. (something that doesn't get ruined by waitin' in the car for years... dry food that is used for hiking is a good idea) Also carry alot of snickers(tm), nuts, and some useful stuff that is fat, and remember that fat and "unhealthy" food is the key of surviving in winter. Your body might burn twice the amount of calories in much cold.
An axe.
medicines and bandages and such like.

I don't remember anything more that's winter specific, but there's a whole lot more that would be useful.
(I also got ALOT, and I mean ALOT of other stuff that can help me in various situations...

Good thing to remember as well, if your head is not cold, and your feet are dry and warm. Chances are you'll be fine no matter what goes on (unless your naked between... lol)

Also pay notes at what kind of clothes you have. Jeans and fashion clothes are NO NO in such situations. Fleece, wool, and Acretyle (or how ever it's spelled) are the way to go.

oh well... there's probably alot that I'm forgettin', it's 4:22 in the mornin' and I oughta been asleep right now... lol

 

[MikesToy]

I always have these in the back of my rig:
- backpack of clothes and personal hygiene stuff
- Jacket
- (2) full size mink blankets
- (2) pillows
- (2) flashlights
- case of bottled water (24 pcs)
- 12-pack of Corona LOL
- box of condoms LOL

I wouldn't call it my survival kit but they could come in handy just in case i go out for a drive and or if i get spontaneous to drive outta state.

 

[leftyguns21]

I haven

 

[spy008]

I wish that I were full of $ and could afford PLB, but they are just to expensive


So, you can actually put a dollar value on your life? Less than the cost of a PLB?

 

[Mtneer001]

good thread.......

i have survived winter losing all electricity and heat. also survived hurricanes and tornoadoes

.....one thing i did not see mentioned was a sleeping bag. if it is winter time and you have to sleep in your 4runner, sleeping back is good to have.....

other stuff

.........chocolate (for energy)

........water proof matches or flint

........leatherman (swiss army knife)

........shotgun and lots of ammo

 

[alaskaman]

I wish that I were full of $ and could afford PLB, but they are just to expensive


So, you can actually put a dollar value on your life? Less than the cost of a PLB? [/

not really putting a dollar value on my life, but at this point I don't participate in activities where a PLB would be necessary. If I were flying in the arctic or doing avalanche rescue or hanging out with flight attendants from Air France then I would carry one. Hope that clarifies it.

here is a good site that I have used for products.

http://www.mpioutdoors.com/basics.shtml

 

[Ulfr]

I haven

 

[techno]

I would always carry my trusty Stihl chainsaw and an axe (cause the axe always starts!) too. Sometimes trees don't like the weight of fresh snow.

 

[alaskaman]

these are great ideas. appreciated. we are going Haines to Tok to Anchorage November 4. convoy with the Air Force on the way to Elmendorf no ground radar in Haines or I guess they would fly maybe no runway not sure...on the road safety in numbers a big plus....plus I know one of these nice men and women will have a sat phone.

 

[leftyguns21]

these are great ideas. appreciated. we are going Haines to Tok to Anchorage November 4. convoy with the Air Force on the way to Elmendorf no ground radar in Haines or I guess they would fly maybe no runway not sure...on the road safety in numbers a big plus....plus I know one of these nice men and women will have a sat phone.

how long do you figure that drive will take you? that seems like some hairy scary driving. have you ever done this before? where are you starting?

 

[alaskaman]

The Alaskan Ferry drops us off in Haines. From there it is 755 miles overland to Anchorage. Road is well maintained, and every 100 miles or so there are services... but weather is unpredictable......Should take no more than 4 days all things considered.

Here is a pic of our take off point. This is one of the motels that serves the military route to Anchorage and Points East. I would not do this in any other vehicle but my Beast.

http://www.capchoice.com/

 

[leftyguns21]

i bet the drive is beautiful though. and judging from this hotel picture i must be right

<img src="http://www.capchoice.com/Jpegs/top_r2.jpg">

 

[alaskaman]

yah. looks fine don't it? I know you have plowed some pretty high places in CO yes?

I had to wait on the bull bar to make the ferry length requirements or pay more $ for transporting Bellingham to Haines, which is $780.00 for myself and the 4Runner one way.

 

[Ulfr]

One of my good ol' rules... Never relay on electronics or people.

Btw, nice pic. Altho' here in Iceland we very rarely have this problem. (as we have what to say, almost no trees... lol)