Was wondering how many are isolated like me----27 miles down a Forest Service road from the hard-topped road, phone lines,etc. 4 miles to the closest neighbor.
And are you prepared if something happens---- flat tire, slide off the road in a blizzard, etc. Do you carry a survival kit and what
is in it?
My kit is in a 3 lb coffee can. I can use the can to cook in or melt snow for water, or hold a candle for heat and light. Also to dip water if I need to add water to the radiator. Inside is a box of waterproof matches inside a waterproof matchbox, 6 tea light candles, 4 individual servings of SPAM (foil envelopes), a compass, a couple of trail bars (granola bars), a roll of toilet paper, a package of Fire Blox and a Fox 40 or Storm whistle (whistles that do not have a pea rattling around in it.) There is also a cheapie makeup compact because the mirror is protected.
Also behind the seat of the truck we carry a folding shovel, a folding saw, a camp axe, a couple of traction mats and a set of tools.There is also a tarp, a piece of parachute cord (550 cord), a fire extinguisher and a small box of baking soda.
Since I always have a knife and multi-tool on my belt, they do not need to be in the kit. However I do carry a diamond sharpener in the console of the truck. We also have a spacebag with 2 Hunter orange jackets (with hoods) and a couple pair of dry socks and a couple of "space blankets". The color of the jackets was chosen because in an emergency, you WANT to be seen. Also in the bag are 2 hats, 2 pair of ski gloves and 2 scarves.
In the glovebox there is a roll of black tape and spare fuses. On the dash there are two solar flashlights (the sun keeps them charged). You could also use the crank-type or shake lights. And since anytime I go out the door of the house I have a flashlight in my pocket (and you thought I was just glad to see you!!) that means we have at least 3 flashlights when we are in the truck.
The Spam and trail bars are replaced with new ones every 6 months. Under the seat is a first aid kit. It gets replaced often too. Because things become out dated and the bandaids won't stick anymore. Also every time we go anywhere, we do not leave the house without an insulated lunchbag that contains 2 sports drinks, a bottle of water and 2 extra trail bars.
The spare tire and tire changing tools are never removed from the truck, but are checked often. We have had a sharp rock puncture a tire a couple of times.
When I found a good deal on winches, I called my city-bound brother and asked if he wanted me to pick one up for him. He said he didn't need a winch because he had a cell phone!! When he came to visit, he ended up stuck, off the road and found out that cell phones don't work so well in the mountains. There ain't no AAA back here!!! You must depend on yourself, because there ain't nobody else coming to help you.
We have also used the jackets, gloves and hats to walk a mile to get home because we slid off the road coming home in a blizzard.
We were very thankful we had the jackets and things with us.
I hope I haven't forgotten anything. But if I have, when I remember it I'll do an add-on post.
Ralph