ReadyNutrition Readers, this article is to formulate some preps for you and your vehicle for a daily basis during the months of summer. Why? Because the summer months hold some potential for problems that are quite different from the winter months, and the S can HTF at any time, that is why. Dehydration, sunburn, sunstroke, and other dangerous events can happen in addition to the EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) attack that turns your 2016 Dodge Ram pickup into a motionless slab of several tons.
First, let’s address the issue of dehydration. Water. Simple solution, right? Wrong. Should a disaster occur, all the existing water lines may either be contaminated and/or non-functional. And there you are on the highway. Do you know how to procure water in the wild? Humans need 1 gallon per day on normal/non-stressful days. You will need a couple of gallons of water in your vehicle in sturdy containers. Your “bug-out”/go bag is already in the car. Make sure you have a three-day supply of food and a method to purify water, in addition to a method to tote it. Many prefer the Camelback drinking systems. I stick with the issue canteens. Whatever method you choose, you’ll need to add a couple of gallons into them eventually.
In your backpack, you want to either have a poncho or some type of “space” blanket, preferably (with the latter) containing grommets. If you can’t find one with the grommet holes, there is a grommet-making kit available in Wal-Mart or another big-box store for around $10. The poncho comes with the grommets. You will also need (5) bungee cords. In this matter, you can use the 4 grommeted corners and the middle of the poncho/blanket to construct some kind of shelter to shield you from the sun.
Yeah, I know, Mr. Negative…if there’s trees to attach the bungees to, then why would a person need to spread out a shelter at all? Simple. Just because you may make it to a wooded area doesn’t mean that the trees provide adequate protection from the sun. In addition, yeah…next is, what if there are no trees? Then you use the bungee cords and attach them to other things, such as the bumper of that now-defunct Dodge truck, or a chain-linked fence…to make a lean-to and take you out of the sun.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
Here’s a short (and by no means complete) list of some things to have with you on your daily commute, some of which we have covered in previous articles:
- Electrolyte packets
- Small (compact) first-aid kit
- Knife (folding/Swiss Army)
- Fire starting materials with matches or cigarette lighter
- Radio
- Flashlight
- Firearm(s) and ammo
- Tools
The situation is going to dictate the actions you take. Obviously, if a nuclear war is what occurs, then you are going to have a different set of dangers than if a viral pandemic is occurring. You will make the determination about what you will do, but you should have these basic supplies with you and readily accessible at all times. If you are parked in a parking garage and you still must walk three blocks or more to reach the office, this is not near enough. In such a case, have multiple bags…one in your vehicle, and one within the workplace by your desk, as I have stressed in the past.
You’ll also need good sunglasses with a 100% UV protection factor. Along with this, a strong sunscreen, with an SPF of 50 or greater. A floppy hat would also do you some good for any kind of walks that will shield both your head and face from the sun. Also, don’t forget a bottle of good bug repellant. You don’t think the bugs will stop bothering you and take a break while the disaster strikes, do you? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take all of these things into consideration, remembering that the summer sun can be more than just a happy shining face on a box of cereal. It can also be a deadly furnace trying to turn you into jerky. On that happy note, keep fighting that good fight and have those supplies ready for when you need them. JJ out!
Additional Reading Material:
5 Ways To Keep Your Vehicle Evacuation-Ready
The Preparedness Guide that will Get You Ready for Any Disaster
Emergency Evacuation Checklist
Great article! Although I always have a poncho and smalll tarp for rain, I wasn’t even thinking about the dangers of the sun, so thanks for the reminder. One thing I worry about is my daily footwear since I work in an office – it’s definitely not suitable for a 5 mile trek home. I try to keep a pair of running shoes tucked in for emergencies. How do you keep water in the emergency car kit in the summer – I have a couple bottles but really wouldn’t want to have to drink them?
Great reminder JJ ~ thanks!
I can’t imagine any plausible event for which I would want to leave my home, where I have extra food and water stored, and get out on a highway that will probably quickly become a parking lot. If something extremely local happened, like the rupturing of a storage tank with toxic fumes, then yes, but if the distance needed to travel to escape the danger is more than a few miles, I would think long and hard before getting on the road. Even if traffic is moving, where will people get gas? Stations near traveled routes would quickly become overloaded and exhausted. The majority of cars would run out of gas within a few hours. The first bunch would pull onto the shoulder. The next bunch would have no choice but to stop in the driving lane(s). Parking lot. Stay home.