Survival Guide [6/8]: Driving - Preparing for Snow or Breakdown Situations

Posted on: 2024-11-22

We continue our 8-chapter survival guide with an article dedicated to travel during an emergency situation.

It is very important to be prepared when driving, whether it’s during a long trip or even on a daily basis. Bad weather, such as snow, or a simple breakdown can leave you stranded for hours or even an entire night on the road.

What should you do to prepare for the unexpected? How can you prepare and equip your vehicle before the snow takes its toll?

Discover our range of emergency food rations

Food and Water

If you're stranded for an extended period on the road, it’s important for both your well-being and your morale to have a hot meal and water on hand.
Self-heating meals are sterilized dishes, like canned food, packed in pouches. They are lighter and less bulky than cans, so you can easily slip them into your glove compartment. These individual meals come with a heating system (a flameless heater) that activates with about 50 ml of water. There is no fire or gas generated. Simply open a window slightly to ventilate the vehicle.

This is the most autonomous meal solution available on the market, and it can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 years after manufacture. These types of meals are sometimes distributed on highways when snow blocks thousands of drivers, or by civil protection units during their relief missions to help populations.

Water is also essential for your body. Storing 1 to 1.5 liters of water in your car is ideal for an emergency situation. Water pouches have a long shelf life of 5 years (compared to just 2 years for bottles) and are easy to store thanks to their compact format.

Discover:

    Blankets and Warm Clothing
    In cold weather, if your car won't start, it's essential to stay warm with dry clothing or blankets, especially if you're traveling with family! Survival blankets are ideal in an emergency situation because they take up very little space.
    And why not hand warmers or body warmers for those heading into extreme conditions, such as in the mountains?

    Our selection:

    And the "little" extras:

    • A first aid kit, essential in any situation.
    • A snow/ice kit for your car: A shovel, scraper, snow brush, antifreeze, and windshield washer fluid. Equipment to keep handy from October to April depending on the region.
    • Candles, glow sticks, matches, and/or a flashlight can prove to be more than practical: You never know! The night could be long...
    • A charger or portable battery for your phone if your car breaks down, always keep one in your bag or glove compartment. It can be very useful for notifying others or staying updated on current events.
    • Wet wipes for washing
    • Tools for your car like a jack, a wrench, spare bulbs, a multi-tool, or a battery with jumper cables to start your car—these are all essential in case of an emergency on the road

    Read the other chapters

    [1/8] Water
    [2/8] Food
    [3/8] Cold
    [4/8] First Aid
    [5/8] Communication
    [6/8] Transportation (article above)
    [7/8] Electricity
    [8/8]Important Documents

    A Word About Lyophilise & Co 🌶

    Based in Lorient, Lyophilise & Co is the go-to reference for freeze-dried meals and high-quality outdoor gear. Whether you're a hiker, skipper, trail runner, bushcraft enthusiast, or bivouac lover, we offer a wide range of technical products tailored to all your adventures. With over 2,000 items available, we support your expeditions in France and abroad.

    If you have any questions, our experts are here to help and will gladly assist you:

    ☎ +33 (0)2 97 87 23 73
    ✉ team[at]lyophilise.com

    We also have a showroom open Monday to Friday:

    📍 6 bis rue du Sous-Marin Vénus, 56100 Lorient, France

    Posted in: Survival

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