Vehicle Emergency Kits (Survive Being Stranded on a Remote Forest Road)

According to a KOMO 4 News report: Two missing Oregon women were found in an Idaho forest Friday, the mother dead from the elements and the disabled daughter alive with their broken-down vehicle. KATU News confirms a hunter discovered the mother’s body in the Solitaire Saddle area of the Panhandle National Forest and reported it to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at 11:45 a.m. Friday. Authorities then discovered the broken-down vehicle nearby with the other woman still alive. The sheriff’s office said the women were driving to Utah and following a navigation system when they got lost in the northern Idaho forest. Kootenai County authorities said the mother attempted to walk out to get help, but died as a result of exposure to the elements. They were reported missing from Pendleton, Oregon on Wednesday. Authorities say that the incident is still under investigation, however, at this time, "it does not appear to be suspicious in nature."

Becoming stranded on a remote forest road is an all-to-common occurrence in the Pacific Northwest. If you become stranded, you will either have to repair your vehicle / get unstuck (do you have the tools and knowledge to do this?), wait with your vehicle for rescue (does anyone know where you are, or even where to begin looking?), or you will have to hike out of the area to find help (do you have proper clothing, footwear (boots), and survival/hiking gear to walk several miles?).

Ready Gov (https://www.ready.gov/car) offers some suggestions for vehicle safety:

Plan long trips carefully and listen to the radio or television for up-to-date weather forecasts and road conditions. In bad weather drive only if absolutely necessary.
Emergency Kit for the Car

In case you are stranded, keep an emergency supply kit (https://www.ready.gov/kit) in your car with these automobile extras:

  •     Jumper cables
  •     Flares or reflective triangle
  •     Ice scraper
  •     Car cell phone charger
  •     Blanket
  •     Map
  •     Cat litter or sand (for better tire traction)


Prepare Your Car for Emergencies

Have a mechanic check the following on your car before an emergency:

  •     Antifreeze levels
  •     Battery and ignition system
  •     Brakes
  •     Exhaust system
  •     Fuel and air filters
  •     Heater and defroster
  •     Lights and flashing hazard lights
  •     Oil
  •     Thermostat
  •     Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level


Car Safety Tips

  • Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation or power outages. A full tank will also keep the fuel line from freezing.
  • Install good winter tires and make sure they have enough tread, or any chains or studs required in your local area.
  • Do not drive through flooded areas. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or possibly stall. A foot of water will float many cars.
  • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
  • If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock. Stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
  • If it becomes hard to control the car, pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake.
  • If the emergency could affect the stability of the roadway avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards.

 

Be aware that even a few inches of snow can obscure icy roads and soft shoulders where vehicles can become stuck. Winter storms can trigger unexpected rock slides, and falling limbs and trees; they can change driving conditions on forest roads from passable to impassable in a matter of minutes.

    Plan for the unexpected
    Check the latest road and weather conditions
    Let someone know where you’re going
    Carry an emergency kit in your vehicle

Be prepared to spend long periods of time in the car. Blankets or sleeping bags, warm clothes, a shovel, water, food and other necessities are recommended as part of a complete vehicle emergency kit.

Good snow tires, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and chains are advised when driving in winter conditions. As a general rule, always adjust your speed to current conditions. Slow down when winter conditions exist and don’t forget to fuel up at the beginning of the trip.

Although GPS systems are valuable tools for navigating forest roads, don’t rely on them to provide the safest routes based on current conditions. A GPS system may lead you to a route impassable due to snow. Keep in mind that cell phones may not work in remote areas. Many areas in the PNW that do not have cell-phone service are covered by amateur radio repeaters. If you are a licensed Ham radio operator, carry your radio with you on trips. Tell a friend or family member about your travel plans and stick to them.


Other reports of individuals who became stranded:

Washington couple rescued after getting stuck in the snow in Skamania County

Riddle woman, 70, dies while stranded on forest road with neighbors

Two women rescued after their vehicle gets stuck in eastern Oregon

Bend man, daughter rescued after getting car stuck in snow near Paulina Lake

Stranded group rescued after nearly two days stuck in Oregon Cascades





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