In Case Of Emergency: Sequoia Survival

We travel a lot by car these days. Our closest extended-family member is 400 miles from here, and my family is all the way back east, on the north coast of the country.

And have you looked at airfare prices lately? Um, yeah. Totally prohibitive for this family.

That means that if we want to see the people we love, we are averaging 1,400 miles per trip. In the car. Through the middle of states like Indiana, where in some spots along the way, we don't even get cellphone signals.

Last winter I watched in horror along with the rest of the nation while rescuers searched desperately for James Kim, the California man who set off in the wilderness of Oregon to seek help for his stranded family.

Tragically, Kim perished in the wild, his wife and daughters found thanks to his efforts. Rescue workers followed the trail he left behind and found Kati Kim and her daughters. The story stayed with me long after the news bulletins ended with the horrible news of his death.

With our 1,400-mile drive ahead of us, I found myself thinking about what would happen if the same thing were to happen to us.

We were not prepared to weather any kind of serious emergency in our mini-van, which was packed with gifts, holiday dresses, dolls and toys.

So when Parent Bloggers Network asked if I would like to review the Sequoia Survival Vehicle Survival Kit, I remembered the Kim family and said, yes, please.

While of course we have not had to endure a road emergency, just holding the substantial kit in my arms made me feel more secure.

This durable duffel bag is now tucked inside the cargo bay of my van. Inside it you will find:

• 32 oz. drinking water
• emergency food rations (Meals Ready To Eat for two people for one day)
  
• a hand-crank cellphone and flashlight charger
• a well-stocked first-aid kit
• Leather work gloves
• Rope
• Toilet paper
• Wind- and waterproof matches

And that isn't even the full list.

I showed it to my husband when it arrived, and rather than complaining about all the "stuff you get in the mail that clutters up this house," he looked at the contents and nodded his head.

"That is a good thing to have," he said.

From Mr. C, that is high praise, indeed.

But regardless of his opinion, I feel better knowing that if we get stranded in a situation beyond our control, at least we will have a fighting chance to make it through.

Because the Kim family haunts my dreams sometimes.