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Stranded

Ok, Here's one that is kinda cliche but should conjure up some interesting responses.

If you were driving along a narrow twisted road in the middle of winter and your car loses control, you crash into a ditch miles away from the road in the forest far from society.

Would you know what to do? Would you have anything with you? If you do, what do you have? If you don't, what could you use in your car?

How many days do you think you could last?

You can add more scenarios as we go...

Tags: cold, lost, stranded, survival

1 member likes this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thomas Vogt on June 3, 2009 at 22:59

Interesting thread. I had some experience with this when I went for a long winter drive to visit a college with my dad. Before leaving, I consulted with a family friend who lived in Alaska for many years. He advised bringing (at least) five gallons of water, some blankets/sleeping bags, and enough clothing to be comfortable at the lowest expected temperature. For us, that would only be around 25-30 degrees F. He also advised bringing plenty of food. Although we encountered unexpected snowy conditions, we never needed our survival gear.

I agree with Ian, I think that I would probably last longer than the average person. On the other hand, I'm not totally positive that I'm one of those Tom Brown types who could go into with winter woods with nothing more than my underpants and survive quite happily.

The scenario Lynsie proposed, as I see it, involves several factors

1. Its the middle winter
2. Your car is inoperable
3. You are likely injured
4. You are likely far from help

In my case, I would have a fair bit of knowledge about how to handle 1, 3, and 4. Having gone through first aid training, I would have at least a basic knowledge of how to patch myself up. I also always have a first aid kit in my car. Seeing as I live in the city, I would only go into the winter wilderness intentionally. This means that, like any responsible person, have alerted someone of my travel plans. It also means that I would have, at least, a sturdy folder and multitool (i never travel without them). Whenever I travel on long car trips into the country I typically carry a medium fixed blade and my PSK. In other words, I have the tools to create shelter and fire. I would also have several means of signaling for rescue. Getting food would be another matter. Assuming that someone knew my itinerary, its doubtful that I would go more than about a week without rescue, it its unlikely that food would be a huge priority. I always carry a fair amount a snacks when I travel, so I wouldn't starve for several weeks. I wouldn't be comfy, but I'd probably be alive.

There are elements of this scenario that make it a bit better than a "worst-case" situation. For one thing, signaling rescue isn't a big problem. Anyone passing the road would see a massive, snow-covered wreck on the side of the road and probably slow down at the very least. This situation would worse if you were, say, lost 40 miles from road in the backcountry. Being on a road, you at least have a chance of someone discovering you.

Although its a little morbid to estimate how long it would take me to die, I would put my survival time at around two-four weeks.

I would probably stay in the car for as long as possible. As I mentioned in the beginning, I would have enough layers to stay warm, and the car would provide a great windbreak if it remained intact after the accident. The car is probably the best way of being noticed, and I would want to stay close to take advantage of anyone driving by.

There are situations in which staying put would not be an option however. Obviously, if food is running low you'd need to leave for hunting or to seek rescue. If a family member needs medical attention, the fittest member of the party would need to look for help.

In this sort of survival situation, the best defense is a good offense. In other words, preventative actions like

1. Always give a responsible family member or friend some kind of itinerary (my family always does this when traveling)
2. Always brink plenty of extra, emergency water
3. A couple of blankets and tarp in the trunk never hurt (if you have limited room, pack a space blanket)
4. Never travel without a knife of some kind.
5. Drive carefully (lol)

Permalink Reply by Bruce Leonard on June 17, 2009 at 0:49

If you're driving on a narrow twisted road, and crash into a ditch, How do you end up miles from the road? Are you an Idiot who thinks you can take a shortcut? FOLLOW THE ROAD, DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS!! With the usual contents of my pockets, I could survive for quite a while.

Leatherman Charge TTi
Spyderco Folder, Either military or paramilitary
Zippo
Cellphone
Surefire E1e

If you couldn't survive with these until a car passed along, someone comes searching for you, or you walk to a town, You really have no business living in the first place...

besides, I have Onstar*

Permalink Reply by Cody Robbins on June 19, 2009 at 20:43

Id get out of the car and start walking to the road. Once at the road id walk which ever way the town and or city would be. I carry nuts and jerky in my bag i take with me all the time. So i think id be good on food. But yea. I wouldent just stay because if you are away from the road noone may even know you crashed.

Permalink Reply by Matt K on July 27, 2009 at 7:57

LOL...you know, when we originally got Karli, the lady that sold her to us said she wouldn't get bigger than 4 lbs. Well, she weighed that after 5 months. Now, the little chunker is 11 lbs. Granted, she's a little heavy for her frame (we feed her a little too much notwithstanding the exercise we give her) but I think it's safe to say that the woman was a little off.

Wouldn't give her up for anything.

Permalink Reply by Camille Williams on July 29, 2009 at 22:34

depends on where i am i guess. i always keep a survival/first aid kit in the car. i guess if i could find water and food, i'd be able to stay out there as long as my morale kept up. (who knows how long that would be!!!)

Permalink Reply by Cam on August 8, 2009 at 2:38

how are you liking the CKC hiker? i cant wait to get one for my self

Permalink Reply by Matt K on August 8, 2009 at 17:38

I like them very much (have 4 currently). Here are my YouTube reviews I did on them:

The original:

The new, full tang CKC Hiker:

Kyley made an outstandng knife.

Permalink Reply by Wilma Slicer (Lynsie) on August 13, 2009 at 11:00

omg! Lee got one of those! he NEEDs to post a video on it!

Permalink Reply by Camille Williams on August 14, 2009 at 1:50

nice stuff to have with you at all times. i have something similar in my trunk of my car always. those look like the same costco brand garbage bags i have in my kit... :D

Permalink Reply by Camille Williams on August 14, 2009 at 1:55

cute dog!

Permalink Reply by Camille Williams on August 14, 2009 at 2:01

lol at onstar. very nice.

Permalink Reply by Matt K on August 17, 2009 at 10:10

I also posted the following videos in the "Firestarter!" discussion here within the Modern Survivalist group but figured I'd go ahead and insert them here as well since it applies equally to Lynsie's opening scenario.