How They Survived: Hot Sauce
I had a friend in college who reliably left packets of sauce in my car. I would drive him to the grocery store and the next day there would be another packet of sauce– typically ketchup. Finally, I told him to stop leaving TRASH in my car. He replied, “This isn’t trash. These packets are going to save your life someday.”
Setting aside the thinly veiled excuse to trash my car, he was actually referencing a real story where a guy literally survived for five days on packets Taco Bell hot sauce (it turns out you can buy these on Amazon).
Nothing But Hot Sauce
It was 2019 when Jeremy and his dog set out for an off-roading adventure– a typical pastime for the two. But this time, the car got stuck in the snow on an infrequently used service road. Jeremy had prepared to be gone for a few hours, which is to say that he was not prepared. At one point he creatively used his ski rack as snow shoes to walk out, but his dog could not keep up so he returned to the car to wait for someone to happen down the deserted service road.
Everyone needs shelter, water, and food. Jeremy cuddled up with his dog for warmth and melted snow for water, but when it came to food, there was none… except for Taco Bell hot sauce packets (Amazon). While not exactly calorie dense (approximately 0 calories each), these packets provided a little sodium and some Vitamin A, but most importantly, they provided a much needed mental boost. When we are hungry, a little ‘food’ can go a long way.
When disaster strikes, you probably won’t have a freshly cooked Thanksgiving Dinner in your car (though how epic would that be?), but you can certainly prepare something that is small, calorie dense, and shelf stable.
Meals, Ready-to-Eat
MREs are the go-to survival food. Freeze dried and light weight, they are perfect for backpacking and storing away in small spaces of the car. This ReadyWise MRE variety pack on Amazon has 104 servings and a 25 year shelf life. The ReadyWise brand also offers a variety of unique options from the Gluten Free to Meat Bucket.
Keep in mind that MREs need to be rehydrated so make sure to bring along some water. We invested in six of these Reliance Rhino-Pak heavy duty 6 gallon water containers (Amazon): two for the house and two for each car.
Calorie Bricks
A cheaper, but less tasty option is a calorie brick. One of these Grizzly Gear Emergency 3600 calorie packs is meant to carry a person through a three day emergency. Plus it promises to be “Non Thirst Provoking.” Keep in mind that calorie bricks have shorter life spans of 5-10 years.
I had the misfortune of being a broke college student and realizing that the 2000 calorie brick I had invested in was so old that it was about to expire. I didn’t want to throw it away so for two days I nibbled the bar, crumbled it over oatmeal, and… I wanted a third example of how I ate it but those were the only two options. I still remember the dry crumbly cinnamon apple flavor…
So, when purchasing a calorie brick I recommend planning how you might eat it if that expiration date sneaks up on you!
Other useful gear from Amazon:
JoJoMark Tire Traction Mat: Even vehicles with four-wheel drive get stuck in the snow. These traction mats are great to lay down in front of your vehicle to give the tires just enough grip to get you moving back towards safety. These are also good for mud and sand.
Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel: There is nothing more frustrating then having a snowed-in car when the roads mere feet from you are perfectly clear. I used my folding shovel one sunny day to dig my and my neighbor's car out of three feet snow drifts after an unexpected spring storm. It was hard work, but worth it!
P.S. If you have children or college roommates, I highly recommend a car trash can (Amazon).
