Surviving a Winter Breakdown

EMS work can be difficult in the best of times. But in the dead of winter on a remote country road, driving an ambulance can be downright treacherous—especially when it breaks down.

This is why it makes sense for every EMS vehicle to carry a roadside emergency kit in addition to its regular supplies. Although many companies sell versions of such kits, they may not include everything an EMS crew requires to weather a prolonged stranding. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has some tips for stocking such kits properly; we also have a few suggestions of our own.

The AAA’s Advice

Here’s a list of what the AAA recommends for a roadside emergency kit and why. You may have some of these tools on your ambulance already.

• Mobile phone and car charger—This is a battery pack that can be kept plugged into one of the ambulance AC outlets, so extra power is available to restart the engine and/or keep mobile phones charged.
• Flashlight with extra batteries—Using the flashlight function on a mobile phone burns through power. Have one or more conventional flashlights on hand for emergency illumination, with lots of batteries.
• Jumper cables or jump pack—Jumper cables allow someone to connect a dead vehicle battery to a second vehicle’s electrical system so the first vehicle can be started. A jump pack is a portable rechargeable battery with built-in jumper cables (akin to a car charger) so someone with a dead battery can do this themselves.
• Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, duct tape, plastic zip-ties)—Because tools can go missing on ambulances in constant use, it makes sense to have a separate dedicated emergency toolkit that is never opened except for roadside emergencies.
• Tarp, raincoat, and gloves to help stay clean/dry on the roadside—Getting wet in cold conditions can lead to hypothermia and other life-threatening conditions.
• Clean rags, paper towels, and/or premoistened wipes—One never knows when being able to wipe surfaces, tools, and/or people will come in handy.
• Warning devices (flares, reflective triangles, and LED beacons)—Warning beacons can help rescue crews find a broken-down ambulance more quickly.
• First aid kit—It may seem a strange suggestion for an ambulance, but having a separate first aid kit that otherwise remains untouched is a wise safety move.
• Drinking water—Every ambulance should be equipped with a few days’ worth of drinking water, so the crew and patient can survive extended strandings.
• Snacks/food for crew/patients—Get food designed to survive for long periods. Military MREs (meals ready to eat) and long-lasting camping food are good options. Remember to have a can opener just in case, along with cutlery and plates.
• Ice scraper, snow brush, winter windshield washer fluid, shovel, and traction aids (sand, salt, nonclumping cat litter, or traction mats)—It makes sense to have all these stored separately in the ambulance, along with similar items used on a regular basis.
• Warm gloves, clothes, hats, and blankets for crew/patients—Choosing the right items is a balancing act between effectiveness and storage space, but keeping patients warm is essential. (Compact aluminum reflective blankets can help.) Remember: A small person can wear a large coat, but not vice versa.

Other Items to Consider

Here are three extra emergency kit ideas that can make a difference:

C. Crane CC Solar Observer windup radio—Available at www.ccrane.com, the C. Crane CC Solar Observer AM/FM/weather band radio comes with built-in rechargeable batteries that can be topped up using the onboard hand-cranked generator and/or built-in solar panel. (Regular AA batteries can also be added, along with an optional AC charger.) The Solar Observer allows mobile phones to be directly charged from the radio and has a three-LED built-in flashlight that never has to go dead.                 

“As a radio, it’s quite good in terms of sound quality and range,” says experienced backwoods hiker Nikki Thomas, who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. “I had no trouble picking up my favorite station from the woods of Algonquin Park (Ontario), the weather channels came in clear and strong, and the flashlight on the front came in handy a couple of times.”

The Solar Observer’s built-in cell phone charger requires a separate (included) adapter to make it USB-compatible. As well, “the adapter is small and easy to lose, and there’s no convenient place to store it with the radio,” Thomas says. “Given how ubiquitous USB 2.0 inputs are for modern electronic devices, a built-in USB port would be a welcome addition to future models and significantly increase the radio’s value as a power charger for other devices.”

Tealight candles, barbeque lighters, and a coffee can—A few tealight candles inside an open coffee can provide a surprising amount of heat, but you must open one window a bit to ensure proper ventilation. Long barbeque lighters make it easy to ignite such candles.

Fold-up stove and pot—An emergency camping stove, tealight candles, and pot can be used to melt snow for drinking water. Be sure to choose the cleanest snow found in the open, not under trees. And be sure to ventilate the vehicle if you use this inside (outside is better).

One final word of advice: Always travel fully dressed for a breakdown, including boots, hats, and gloves. That way you’ll be ready to face winter’s worst from the get-go.

James Careless is a Canadian-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to EMS World.