If you’ve yet to build a winter car survival kit, now’s the time.
Those of us who live, work, and play in the mountains see the first signs of winter earlier than most.
And once it’s here, the mountain peaks will be capped white with snow, and roadway conditions will change for the worst.
Icy roads and deep snow are extremely dangerous for travel and a leading cause of stranded vehicles.
Every year, we hear stories of motorists stranded in blizzards.
Sometimes it’s only overnight, but occasionally (on rural back roads) they are stranded for days or weeks.
Trapped in a Blizzard
People left to huddle in their vehicles struggling to stay warm.
Far too many of those sad tales end in tragedy.
However, with some basic survival knowledge and a stash of survival supplies, your odds of surviving stranded in a winter blizzard go up significantly.
These are supplies everyone should store in their vehicle for winter travel. It’s called a winter car survival kit.
This kit will help you accomplish two things. It will help you get unstuck should your vehicle slide off the road.
And this kit will help you survive should you not be able to get your vehicle unstuck.
So your winter car survival kit is made up of items that fit into these two categories:
- Gear to help you get unstuck
- Supplies in case you can’t get unstuck
Are You Ready For The Tough Times Ahead? Take My 60 Sec Quiz To See If You’re Part Of ‘The Fragile Masses’ Or Not… Start Quiz Now!
Gear To Help You Get Unstuck
Your best bet is to be self-sufficient and avoid spending a night (or longer) stranded. So it’s worth having a few key tools in your vehicle to get you going again.
Mainly, the preventative equipment required for self-rescue consists of:
- Ways to remove snow
- Traction devices to help you get a grip on icy and snowy surfaces
Plus a few items to make the use of these items a little more convenient.
1. Snow Shovel
A good, sturdy shovel is an absolute must for a winter car survival kit.
Often, some efficient digging can help you quickly get free.
And even if you still can’t get your vehicle free, a shovel will allow you to keep your vehicle from being entirely buried under a snowdrift.
Because a vehicle that’s completely buried in snow is nearly impossible for a rescue team to spot.
Or if worst came to worst, you could use a survival shovel to build a snow shelter.
Lifeline aluminum shovel
2. Windshield Scraper and Brush
In all winter weather conditions, you’ll have to remove a lot of snow and ice from your vehicle’s roof and windshield.
A good, heavy-duty scraper and brush with a long handle will save you a lot of time and effort, as well as make it easier to see out your windows, keeping it out of the ditch.
Having one of these is a must-have all winter long.
I’m always amazed when people are huddled in their cars for 30 or more minutes waiting for their vehicles to defrost to warm their windshields because they don’t own a quality scraper.
Talk about unprepared!
Top 6 Best Ice Scraper & Snow Brush
3. Traction Mats
Often, a little extra traction is all that’s needed to get moving again.
Many people use sand or kitty litter, but these items only work once, and then you’re out of luck.
A set of traction mats are reusable and can be easily repositioned to keep you heading in the right direction.
SubZero 12501 GripTrax 03
4. Tire Chains
In packed snow road conditions, tire chains are an excellent way to help with traction and prevent sliding in the first place.
However, they are a controversial topic, so make sure to check the local regulations regarding their use.
Many western states, require tire chains in severe conditions. In the Midwest, they are illegal in most jurisdictions even during the worst snows.
If you carry chains, make sure you know how to install them – put them on first in your dry driveway and later in a snowy parking lot.
It’s a lot harder to get them on tight and secure when it’s dark, and you’re fumbling with cold hands, so you’ll appreciate the practice if the need arises.
Snow Chain comparison TEST – Which is the best?
5. Small Tarp
A small tarp makes kneeling in the snow (and roadside slush) a lot easier and drier.
It also helps keep you from losing parts or tools in the snow. A 5’x7′ tarp is a perfect size for a lot of roadside uses.
Top 10 Best Tarps Review in 2023
6. Battery Boost Jumper
Cold weather is rough on your vehicle’s battery, and it’s easy to find yourself unable to start the engine when you need it most.
A self-contained battery jumper is a simple solution and much better than waiting for another motorist to jump-start your engine.
NOCO Boost Plus Jumper Review
7. LED Tactical Flashlight
All survival kits need a super bright LED EDC flashlight. If it’s dark out or the blizzard has blocked the sun out you’ll need illumination to see what you’re doing.
Also, it’s a good idea to keep a spare set of batteries in your winter car survival kit as well.
For A Limited Time Only: Get a FREE FireHawk Tactical Flashlight For Visiting Skilled Survival! Just pay s&h. Click Here To Learn More.
Get A FREE FireHawk Tactical Flashlight (+S&H)
Gear In Case You Can’t Get Unstuck
If you have to stay out overnight, you’ll need a few more things.
At this point, your focus turns from getting your vehicle out to keeping yourself and your passengers protected from the elements.
8. Water Bottle
In the winter, the colder temperatures often trick people into assuming they don’t need to drink as much water. You tend not to feel as thirsty.
The truth is you need to stay hydrated to maintain proper body temperature, no matter the weather outside. Want proof?
High-altitude mountaineers spend about as much time melting drinking water as they do climbing – it’s THAT important.
A stainless steel water bottle is an excellent choice since you can use it over a camp stove or small fire to melt and heat water.
Never eat large amounts of snow directly. Always melt the snow before ingesting.
If you eat snow directly, you’re basically using your internal body temperature to melt the snow. This can lower your core temperature and lead to hypothermia.
Use these Cold Weather Water Bottle Hacks
9. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
What good is finding water if you can’t drink it?
You should always purify your water before you drink it whether it’s coming from your tap or from the snowbank where you’re stranded.
The easiest way to purify water on the go is with a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter.
We put the LifeStraw through our field testing and, if you’re not convinced you should be carrying at least one in your vehicle, you should read the full LifeStraw review and watch the video below.
LifeStraw Review and Field Test
Tip: if you have kids or grandkids that you drive around, make sure to get them each a LifeStraw. The last thing you need in a survival situation is kids refusing to drink from the same LifeStraw.
10. Food
In the cold, your body is craving calories in any form, burning them at an increased pace to keep your core body temperature up.
Cookies, crackers, nuts, dried fruit, plain chocolate bars, jerky. I like the high-calorie bars since you buy them once and you’re food preparation is done.
Snickers bars may taste great, but you’ll chip a tooth on the caramel trying to eat one that’s been sitting in sub-zero temps for even a few hours.
If you’re able to heat water over a stove or fire, consider adding powdered hot chocolate or another warm drink with lots of calories.
11. Extra Warm Clothes
If your vehicle is stuck in the snow, chances are you’ll be in the cold for an extended period of time as you attempt to get out on your own.
Quite often, this can leave you snowy and wet, a bad combination for cold weather survival.
Carrying a change of clothes and some extra insulating layers will let you get out of any wet clothes and warm up while you plan your next move.
Gloves are a must. If you’re trying to do any of these survival tasks with bare hands you’re not going to be successful.
I like Mechanix brand gloves since they provide me the dexterity to perform survival tasks. Try lighting a fire with thick mittens on; not fun.
Mechanix Tactical Gloves – What You Need To Know
12. All-Weather Reflective Blanket
You can go with a thick wool blanket but I prefer an all-weather reflective emergency blanket.
These blankets are made with a heat-reflective internal layer that helps trap the body heat you’re generating.
Keeping you warmer, and longer.
Also, consider how many people you’ll be traveling with and be sure that you can keep everyone warm.
Bug Out Bag Shelter – Survival Frog TACT Bivvy Review
13. Paracord (FireCord)
With so many paracord uses for survival, it is a must-add item to any survival kit.
You should spend a few dollars more to get Firecord.
It’s designed with 7 strands of paracord and 1 strand of Fire Cord you can use as fire tinder.
550 FireCord Field Review” width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/lVjHvyR2c6I?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen sandbox=”allow-scripts allow-same-origin”>
14. Waterproof Matches and Tesla Coil Lighter
Keeping a box of waterproof strike-anywhere matches.
You might also add an electric coil windproof lighter to your vehicle as well.
A fire will allow you to keep warm, melt snow into water, and signal searchers.
Frog & Co. Tough Tesla Lighter Review
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Frog & Co. Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0 Review! Plasma Duel Arc Igniter Lighter
- Advertisement -
Keeping a box of waterproof strike-anywhere matches.