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Update, Adjust, Make Ready
Oct. 6th, 2012 01:26 pmThe seasons are changing. Have you updated your vehicle emergency kit for the cold weather?
Anyone who drives more than an hour's walking distance from home (and most would be surprised to learn how short a distance that is, especially in bad weather) needs to have at least a medical kit and simple tools. Keeping in mind that winter storms can come on suddenly, and can still surprise forecasters, some warm clothing (including socks) and good shoes should also be included.
Maybe it comes from reading _Robinson Crusoe_ and _Swiss Family Robinson_ at an impressionable age. Maybe it comes from both family and my youth church group enjoying camping and hiking. Maybe it's a holdover from the Great Depression, passed down from grandparents on both sides of my family. Whatever the reason, I've always felt more comfortable having things available to help with problems both common and unlikely.
A Get Home Bag is something intended to help you walk out of a place where you're stranded, or survive in that place until help can arrive. The problem can be as simple as getting lost and running out of gas in an isolated area with no cell phone coverage. It can be as complicated as a record snowfall which leaves cars buried on the Interstate.
The point is, having a source of warmth - even if only an old sleeping bag - and food - even if only some granola bars - and water - even if only a few supermarket water bottles - can save your life.
Anyone who drives more than an hour's walking distance from home (and most would be surprised to learn how short a distance that is, especially in bad weather) needs to have at least a medical kit and simple tools. Keeping in mind that winter storms can come on suddenly, and can still surprise forecasters, some warm clothing (including socks) and good shoes should also be included.
Maybe it comes from reading _Robinson Crusoe_ and _Swiss Family Robinson_ at an impressionable age. Maybe it comes from both family and my youth church group enjoying camping and hiking. Maybe it's a holdover from the Great Depression, passed down from grandparents on both sides of my family. Whatever the reason, I've always felt more comfortable having things available to help with problems both common and unlikely.
A Get Home Bag is something intended to help you walk out of a place where you're stranded, or survive in that place until help can arrive. The problem can be as simple as getting lost and running out of gas in an isolated area with no cell phone coverage. It can be as complicated as a record snowfall which leaves cars buried on the Interstate.
The point is, having a source of warmth - even if only an old sleeping bag - and food - even if only some granola bars - and water - even if only a few supermarket water bottles - can save your life.
