Weather Channel Car Kit

A fraction of what many (most?) of us ETS-types carry but more than the average motorist. This video segment is running on The Weather Channel today -- a public service.

A lot of Atlantans would have been delighted to have this stuff in their vehicle during last week's "Carmageddon."

http://www.weather.com/tv/tvshows/wake-u...=/tv/shows/wuwa


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No Brew Kit or Stove and No Shovel, Although the Shovel would have been a little superfluous with the 2 inch snow carmageddon for the Atlantians.

There's a lot missing in that "kit". Two gallons of water is good and I get the comfort snacks angle, but my choice in nourishment would be significantly different. Water and food items are stored in an Igloo cooler to moderate temps (both warm and cold).

Rubber boots and a wool blanket; that's it? How about clothing for an extended stay (or long walk) outside the comfort of your heated car? Long underwear, wool socks, warm boots you can walk in and a parka...

A Vacuum Flask and a head light/torch would have be handy as well, as well as one of those illuminated Red Warning triangles to help with stopping an another Atlantian pranging you from behind and getting a nasty neck whip lash injury.

Yeah, a lot missing.

But I was concerned that the unspoken assumption in the video was that the car ran out of gas because though stuck, it was running just to keep the car occupants warm, and only after it ran out of gas did they break out the supplies. I realize that this is what most people do, but IMO it is wrong.

If you have the warm cloths and blankets in the car, then don't run the engine and heater to keep warm. Save the gas so you can drive away, even if you sit there a day. If you run out of gas and then break out out the blankets, you have just necessitated a "rescue" in the form of someone bringing gas to the car.

So IMO, the message should be be prepared with warm cloths and blankets etc., and if stuck, turn the car off. Don't run out it out of gas. If necessary, only run engine to charge phones etc. and the car battery.

Maybe there is a lot missing in that kit, but the video is meant to get people who typically have nothing to get something. I'd say that's a good start. If the starting bar is too high, no one will do anything.

My sentiment, exactly.


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I spend a lot of time outdoors, so over the years I have acquired a fair number of sleeping bags; I have quite a few that are no larger than that wool blanket and that are significantly warmer - my choice for first improvement.

However, for a quick advisory pitched at a predominantly urban population, it is a good effort.

Years ago, I lived and worked at Wupatki National Monument, 45 miles north of Flagstaff. My wife worked and commuted daily to Flagstaff. We learned pretty quickly to equip the vehicles and keep them equipped.We used the stuff more than once...