Something I recommend is a long aluminum hose and a carbon monoxide alarm. Because you can't just leave the engine running in heavy snowfall, because once the exhaust is under the snow, the exhaust gases will get under the car into the passenger compartment and suffocate you. Hence the hose that directs the exhaust gases away from the car and an alarm for extra safety.
I grew up in Michigan and remember one winter we had a terrible snow storm. I-75 was completely snowed in and rescue personnel could not get to people trapped in their cars. Several people froze to death before they could be rescued. After that I started keeping an insulated pair of coverall's rolled up with wool socks heavy, gloves and a wool beanie inside. And a pair of insulated boots in my vehicles in the winter. With some food bars, water, first aid kit, blanket and hand warmers. That snow storm left a deep impression on me.
Had a ranger roll with poncho, poncho liner and heavy Mylar blanket that I had for years, I gave it to a homeless man in 10° weather, I need to get another set up to put back in truck
Great tips!! I've seen countless vehicles off the road, in my weekly runs. I would also recommend a first aid kit, with extra gauze and tape. Broken windows, happen in nearly every wreck. Basic first aid, such as pressure bandage can stop bleeding. Stay safe on the roads, please remember to give my fellow truck drivers, a little extra space
Good info, Blackie. Today's high will be 5 degrees and tomorrows high will be -6 degrees with mid-teens below each night. Thanks for all you do. You guessed it, I ain't in southern Alabama.
That is an excellent sleeping bag you showed us. I had one for years, used it often. It can be washed in the bath tub or river by hand and it dries fairly quickly in the sun. I gave it to someone who slept in it for years. I am prayerful for all in the Southern States that are being hit by this terrible cold and icy snow that you are not used to. Take care, be safe.
I've called n purchased from them a few times. Very helpful, and shipping speed is great. Shipping prices are always very fair. Exceptional folks and service. Don't hesitate to give em a shot at your business. They will EARN it, every time!
Another (somewhat) inexpensive one is the M65 field jacket - be sure to get the liner ($15) and if you can find it the arctic parka hood ($30). You may not find a good price at your local military surplus store, but go to a Vintage/Used/Antique clothing shop, somewhere in there will probably be a small collection of M65's for like $40-$60. As for the MRE, be sure to use a sharpie and put the year you bought it on it - as MRE's do not store well inside vehicles due to the fluctuating internal temperature, and it's real easy to forget when you bought this specific MRE. Consider maybe no more than a year or two before you pull it out of your vehicle and eat it, ideally no more than a year. Outside of milsurp, I'd add to this is some beach towels from your Goodwill or secondhand shop, these should be like $4-$6 each. You can improvise a seat cover or floor mat, you can warm up a sleeping system, wipe off your dog/kids, your lady might use it as a blanket on a trip, might be a picnic blanket. In addition, if you find yourself in a city you can use this towel to conceal items inside your vehicle.
Northern Wisconsin we put a large candle in a coffee can with matches. You need to crack the window, but it can keep the car in the 50s to 60s for a couple days. If you have a camping set you also can make hot water etc.
'Cheapness' or, Frugality was a trait of our American founders extending all the way up to our Great Depression surviving grandparents. Frugality is a good thing, not bad as portrayed today. You are American as apple pie Blackie and, when you talk 'cheap' that's right down my alley. Thanks!
Thank you for the advice. I’ve been hemmin and hawwin about putting together a kit for my car and my wife and kids car. This is a good bit of advice that I can build on and be confident we can survive a night or two if we’re caught in that situation. If I might suggest, add a lighter and some wax candles to that kit. I just subscribed and look forward to watching your other videos. God bless!
I do like a visit to the surplus store. Information about keeping warm in a car out in the cold. I hope that I never end up in the very cold scenario; I prefer the heat. More tours of Kaufman’s please.
Tonight and tomorrow night the wind chill will be -40 to -50. I carry insulated bib overalls and a down parka as well as a pair of those air force mittens. I like to keep felt boot liners as well. I am wearing wool socks and warm boots and an insulated vest with a wool shirt. I do not wear really warm clothes while driving. In my emergency bag I have an extra watch cap. I would switch to it at night. In this weather I am likely wearing a fur hat although I tend to carry a Stormy Kromer to run into stores. Of course I have two wool blankets as well as in the truck a wool horse blanket poncho. When I first moved to the north country a lot of old farmers used 4-5 buckle overshoes with a felt liner. I find my bib overalls to be a great thing to wear. I learned that from snowmobiling. If you are heading out for a long drive I fill my large thermos with tea or hot chocolate. Others do coffee. If it's a long day I likely have one of soup or stew. I never plan on fast food.
This is very good… I was skeptical when I first clicked… But Blackie clearly has been around. Items I would add, especially in most of the United States, as there is wood everywhere: some way to cut wood - any tool that you are comfortable with. Ideally, it should be sharp. An ax, hatchet, saw, etc. I would also add a tarp… Your car might be on its roof… And you might need to spend a night or two outside of your car… A large tarp will provide shelter. More things I would add… As much para cord or rope as you dare carry… Myself I carry hundreds upon hundreds of feet of it. Practice your basic knots, and learn how to set your tarp… if you were going to be spending the night on the ground: take all of the floor mats - and carpet if truly necessary - and place them on the ground; this is where you’ll be sleeping. Set up your tarp first, because you will want to keep these items as dry as possible. Pay attention to where the wind is coming from. This is important for… 🙂 it goes without saying, but I will say it: no opening of your tarp should face the wind. if you are going to be sleeping on the ground, it is absolutely essential to have something between you and the ground… pine branches, Pineneedles, any kind of duff from the forest floor will work. If using Duff from the forest floor, it will need to be much thicker than you think… When you pile it up, it should be at least half a meter thick. The colder, the thicker needs to be. Items I would add: your favorite candy bars, comfort food that does not need to be cooked, and is high energy, and is not going to become rocks at low temperature. If you are absolutely panicked, and can’t think straight: take as much time as you need to calm down, and make a list of the things that you need to do, and then prioritize the items in that list. You should have something to write with in your duffel bag. Carpenter pencils are very good. It’s really quite simple, and the busyness will warm you up and distract you. 🙂 if you know that you are not going to have your head together when this happens, put the list into the duffel bag, and pretend you’re an airline pilot… 😊 work that checklist… it is the breaking down of complex activities into simple activities that works the magic. Oh… And of course… A headlamp and a stash of batteries. Preferably two headlamps… 🙂
A small bundle of kindlings, like the ones used for a fireplace, can also be helpful. You wont have to search for dry pieces of wood in the right size to get a larger fire going even under less then perfect conditions.
Thank you OB-1, you sure are full of it Good information that is. I've been a subscriber for a couple of years I think, I don't comment often but I would like to say one thing here. Candle. Like the ones in a glass jar, scented or not doesn't matter. I bet you could come up with a couple dozen reasons to have one or two on hand for just such an emergency.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the Arcturus safety orange tarp for your signaling device but it would also serve as a super shelter along with a small roll of clear plastic should you need to exit the vehicle. All great advice nonetheless. Thank you Blackie
Great ideas from a great thinker. Good seeing you at Hangcon. I picked up a tip from your setup using a large ammo can as a food vault someone gave me was gonna make a hot tent stove from but ended up just buying one. Cheers!
I have a about half an hours drive to work on backroads when I am off the highway. (Sometimes I don't even see an oncoming vehicle) Working first shift I am leaving really early. I have everything except the MRE which is a great idea and I will be adding that to my kit. If I get stuck, it could be a problem. I like having a military surplus folding shovel as well.
Other great things to have are: a good flashlight or head lamp, medical supplies/meds, personal protection, folding snow shovel, window scraper, full window washer fluid, jump start power pack to charge things and jump your battery, bic lighters. If you own a truck keep towing lines, steel carabiners, traction plates, chain saw, winch, 80lb bag of sand and salt mix. more people just get stuck trying to up or down an icy hill than slide off the road. Plus, being able to help others is critical and enjoyable.
Pin hot hand in the small of you back inside a coat or vest to radiat heat up you back and pin one up inside each pants leg wil help keep you warm covered up in as little as a milsurp rain ponch if the weather is not too bad
My mother spent years working an hour each way from home. My dad made sure she had all the warm weather gear in the back seat of the car not the trunk in case she got in an accident and couldn't get into the trunk. She had twice in all those years when the roads were just too icy and ended up staying with someone from work who lived in town. Nowadays my dad drives her almost everywhere except little trips to the grocery store. She did enough driving in her life
Oh'm stuck till I finds a truck, my jeep transmission finally give it up, only a million and 35 thousand miles! 3rd engine in it, but everything else is original. Stay safe, soubds lije ut's y'alls turn to get snow this time! LOL
An old ruck sack or assault pack with ALICE or PALS for canteens and tools is a good base for your kit. Easier to carry back and forth from your vehicle to prevent water/food freezing or theft.
Don’t MRES freeze I can’t remember been retired twenty years…up in Michigan I keep some snack bars and such in cookie tins so mice don’t find them. Have fun stay safe.
under clothes add your hvy winter boots. not gloves go with mittens. will keep fingers warmer than gloves, can also slip a hand warmer in side mitten. experience talking here. my hvy boots are the ones i use for ice fishing -- artic mucks rated for -40f. temp heads blow zero i switch to mittens for everyday wear. my gloves don't last more than 5 minutes at keeping my hands warm.
Clothing, food, bottled water, and sleeping bags for each person who normally travels with you, such as your spouse and kids. Also t.p., flashlight, first aid supplies.
stay safe in this coming winter storm
Something I recommend is a long aluminum hose and a carbon monoxide alarm.
Because you can't just leave the engine running in heavy snowfall, because once the exhaust is under the snow, the exhaust gases will get under the car into the passenger compartment and suffocate you.
Hence the hose that directs the exhaust gases away from the car and an alarm for extra safety.
I grew up in Michigan and remember one winter we had a terrible snow storm. I-75 was completely snowed in and rescue personnel could not get to people trapped in their cars. Several people froze to death before they could be rescued. After that I started keeping an insulated pair of coverall's rolled up with wool socks heavy, gloves and a wool beanie inside. And a pair of insulated boots in my vehicles in the winter. With some food bars, water, first aid kit, blanket and hand warmers. That snow storm left a deep impression on me.
Keweenaw peninsula especially!
Had a ranger roll with poncho, poncho liner and heavy Mylar blanket that I had for years, I gave it to a homeless man in 10° weather, I need to get another set up to put back in truck
Bless ya dude. 🤗🤗
Great tips!! I've seen countless vehicles off the road, in my weekly runs. I would also recommend a first aid kit, with extra gauze and tape. Broken windows, happen in nearly every wreck. Basic first aid, such as pressure bandage can stop bleeding. Stay safe on the roads, please remember to give my fellow truck drivers, a little extra space
Good info, Blackie. Today's high will be 5 degrees and tomorrows high will be -6 degrees with mid-teens below each night. Thanks for all you do. You guessed it, I ain't in southern Alabama.
That is an excellent sleeping bag you showed us. I had one for years, used it often. It can be washed in the bath tub or river by hand and it dries fairly quickly in the sun. I gave it to someone who slept in it for years.
I am prayerful for all in the Southern States that are being hit by this terrible cold and icy snow that you are not used to.
Take care, be safe.
I think it's awesome that those ladies let you record and make uploads inside the store! I've never been there but I feel like this is my happy place
I've called n purchased from them a few times. Very helpful, and shipping speed is great. Shipping prices are always very fair. Exceptional folks and service. Don't hesitate to give em a shot at your business. They will EARN it, every time!
Since they don’t have a website, Blackie is their connection with the outside world of customers. Ambassador of Bushcraft!
Another (somewhat) inexpensive one is the M65 field jacket - be sure to get the liner ($15) and if you can find it the arctic parka hood ($30). You may not find a good price at your local military surplus store, but go to a Vintage/Used/Antique clothing shop, somewhere in there will probably be a small collection of M65's for like $40-$60.
As for the MRE, be sure to use a sharpie and put the year you bought it on it - as MRE's do not store well inside vehicles due to the fluctuating internal temperature, and it's real easy to forget when you bought this specific MRE. Consider maybe no more than a year or two before you pull it out of your vehicle and eat it, ideally no more than a year.
Outside of milsurp, I'd add to this is some beach towels from your Goodwill or secondhand shop, these should be like $4-$6 each. You can improvise a seat cover or floor mat, you can warm up a sleeping system, wipe off your dog/kids, your lady might use it as a blanket on a trip, might be a picnic blanket. In addition, if you find yourself in a city you can use this towel to conceal items inside your vehicle.
Northern Wisconsin we put a large candle in a coffee can with matches. You need to crack the window, but it can keep the car in the 50s to 60s for a couple days. If you have a camping set you also can make hot water etc.
The old A3 bag!!! I still have my bag and sleeping bag from the early 80s that are like new today 40 years later.
Great advice! Thanks for the reminder!👍
Thanks this is helpful information
'Cheapness' or, Frugality was a trait of our American founders extending all the way up to our Great Depression surviving grandparents. Frugality is a good thing, not bad as portrayed today. You are American as apple pie Blackie and, when you talk 'cheap' that's right down my alley. Thanks!
Thanks Blackie I tell people this all the time. I shared on Facebook
Gonna need these items this week even in the South. Extreme cold coming.
Add clay kitty litter for that little bit of extra traction to get you unstuck. E-tool or other simple digging tool. Candles in your fire kit.
Good stuff! Thanks for the share!!
Wise words.
With today’s single digit temperatures, quite important information.
Thank you for the advice. I’ve been hemmin and hawwin about putting together a kit for my car and my wife and kids car. This is a good bit of advice that I can build on and be confident we can survive a night or two if we’re caught in that situation. If I might suggest, add a lighter and some wax candles to that kit. I just subscribed and look forward to watching your other videos. God bless!
Great advice, thanks.👍🏻
I do like a visit to the surplus store. Information about keeping warm in a car out in the cold. I hope that I never end up in the very cold scenario; I prefer the heat.
More tours of Kaufman’s please.
Tonight and tomorrow night the wind chill will be -40 to -50. I carry insulated bib overalls and a down parka as well as a pair of those air force mittens. I like to keep felt boot liners as well. I am wearing wool socks and warm boots and an insulated vest with a wool shirt. I do not wear really warm clothes while driving. In my emergency bag I have an extra watch cap. I would switch to it at night. In this weather I am likely wearing a fur hat although I tend to carry a Stormy Kromer to run into stores. Of course I have two wool blankets as well as in the truck a wool horse blanket poncho. When I first moved to the north country a lot of old farmers used 4-5 buckle overshoes with a felt liner. I find my bib overalls to be a great thing to wear. I learned that from snowmobiling. If you are heading out for a long drive I fill my large thermos with tea or hot chocolate. Others do coffee. If it's a long day I likely have one of soup or stew. I never plan on fast food.
Thank you Blackie.
Thanks and glad your doing better
Good medicine as always 🤗
Thanks Blackie!
Thank you for sharing!
God bless!
I agree. I always has a full kit in my car trunk back when I had a car.
You doggone right that there is some good gear.
This is very good… I was skeptical when I first clicked… But Blackie clearly has been around. Items I would add, especially in most of the United States, as there is wood everywhere: some way to cut wood - any tool that you are comfortable with. Ideally, it should be sharp. An ax, hatchet, saw, etc.
I would also add a tarp… Your car might be on its roof… And you might need to spend a night or two outside of your car… A large tarp will provide shelter.
More things I would add… As much para cord or rope as you dare carry… Myself I carry hundreds upon hundreds of feet of it. Practice your basic knots, and learn how to set your tarp… if you were going to be spending the night on the ground: take all of the floor mats - and carpet if truly necessary - and place them on the ground; this is where you’ll be sleeping. Set up your tarp first, because you will want to keep these items as dry as possible. Pay attention to where the wind is coming from. This is important for… 🙂 it goes without saying, but I will say it: no opening of your tarp should face the wind.
if you are going to be sleeping on the ground, it is absolutely essential to have something between you and the ground… pine branches, Pineneedles, any kind of duff from the forest floor will work. If using Duff from the forest floor, it will need to be much thicker than you think… When you pile it up, it should be at least half a meter thick. The colder, the thicker needs to be. Items I would add: your favorite candy bars, comfort food that does not need to be cooked, and is high energy, and is not going to become rocks at low temperature. If you are absolutely panicked, and can’t think straight: take as much time as you need to calm down, and make a list of the things that you need to do, and then prioritize the items in that list. You should have something to write with in your duffel bag. Carpenter pencils are very good. It’s really quite simple, and the busyness will warm you up and distract you. 🙂 if you know that you are not going to have your head together when this happens, put the list into the duffel bag, and pretend you’re an airline pilot… 😊 work that checklist… it is the breaking down of complex activities into simple activities that works the magic.
Oh… And of course… A headlamp and a stash of batteries. Preferably two headlamps… 🙂
A small bundle of kindlings, like the ones used for a fireplace, can also be helpful.
You wont have to search for dry pieces of wood in the right size to get a larger fire going even under less then perfect conditions.
-25° in Minnesota today I have survival bags in both vehicles including sleeping bags.
Thank you OB-1, you sure are full of it Good information that is.
I've been a subscriber for a couple of years I think, I don't comment
often but I would like to say one thing here. Candle. Like the ones in
a glass jar, scented or not doesn't matter.
I bet you could come up with a couple dozen reasons to have one or two
on hand for just such an emergency.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the Arcturus safety orange tarp for your signaling device but it would also serve as a super shelter along with a small roll of clear plastic should you need to exit the vehicle. All great advice nonetheless. Thank you Blackie
These are all basic parts of my "Colorado Pack." Mare great content. Thank you, Sir. Take care of your self Sir.
Great ideas from a great thinker. Good seeing you at Hangcon. I picked up a tip from your setup using a large ammo can as a food vault someone gave me was gonna make a hot tent stove from but ended up just buying one. Cheers!
I have a about half an hours drive to work on backroads when I am off the highway. (Sometimes I don't even see an oncoming vehicle) Working first shift I am leaving really early. I have everything except the MRE which is a great idea and I will be adding that to my kit. If I get stuck, it could be a problem. I like having a military surplus folding shovel as well.
Blackie, Thanks for sharing this information and Tips , I do carry the same thing in my pickup truck .Thanks Again Sir.
Great video my friend. 😮
Good list. No knife? Or multi tool? Did I space out?
Good video Blackie, thanks for sharing, YAH bless !
Great info Blackie, wish i had a Army Surplus store near me, stay safe
Other great things to have are: a good flashlight or head lamp, medical supplies/meds, personal protection, folding snow shovel, window scraper, full window washer fluid, jump start power pack to charge things and jump your battery, bic lighters. If you own a truck keep towing lines, steel carabiners, traction plates, chain saw, winch, 80lb bag of sand and salt mix. more people just get stuck trying to up or down an icy hill than slide off the road. Plus, being able to help others is critical and enjoyable.
Thank you ....really appreciate your knowledge
Good video blackie and it was good meeting you at hang con brother
Good work
Wise advice. Cheers.
good stuff mister!!
Pin hot hand in the small of you back inside a coat or vest to radiat heat up you back and pin one up inside each pants leg wil help keep you warm covered up in as little as a milsurp rain ponch if the weather is not too bad
That's milsurp rain poncho
Could you do a video on field shirts for layering? You could talk about the ones you use such as the BDU jacket you're wearing in this video.
Water, jumper cables, a shovel, traction boards and a come along. My top 5
Great video
My mother spent years working an hour each way from home. My dad made sure she had all the warm weather gear in the back seat of the car not the trunk in case she got in an accident and couldn't get into the trunk.
She had twice in all those years when the roads were just too icy and ended up staying with someone from work who lived in town.
Nowadays my dad drives her almost everywhere except little trips to the grocery store. She did enough driving in her life
She had a snowmobile suit, boots, hat and gloves along with a sleeping bag.
goedenavond Blackie 👍
Good video Blackie 🇺🇸 🇳🇿
Oh'm stuck till I finds a truck, my jeep transmission finally give it up, only a million and 35 thousand miles! 3rd engine in it, but everything else is original.
Stay safe, soubds lije ut's y'alls turn to get snow this time! LOL
Any deals there on 200 round saw pouches
An old ruck sack or assault pack with ALICE or PALS for canteens and tools is a good base for your kit. Easier to carry back and forth from your vehicle to prevent water/food freezing or theft.
👍👍
Don’t MRES freeze I can’t remember been retired twenty years…up in Michigan I keep some snack bars and such in cookie tins so mice don’t find them. Have fun stay safe.
under clothes add your hvy winter boots. not gloves go with mittens. will keep fingers warmer than gloves, can also slip a hand warmer in side mitten. experience talking here. my hvy boots are the ones i use for ice fishing -- artic mucks rated for -40f. temp heads blow zero i switch to mittens for everyday wear. my gloves don't last more than 5 minutes at keeping my hands warm.
Clothing, food, bottled water, and sleeping bags for each person who normally travels with you, such as your spouse and kids. Also t.p., flashlight, first aid supplies.
Wow you found a thrift store that actually has useful stuff in it that would never happen in Central California.
I ALWAYS have rain poncho, rain coat and pants. STAY DRY AND SURVIVE!
Carry mittens