Prep Tip - Fueling Vehicles

Many of you may already be carrying a spare fuel can or plastic fuel container just in case you run out of gas.

Many of the fuel containers now available at Lowe's or Home Depot or Tractor Stores will be equipped with new vapor/spill resistant spouts.

They were designed to prevent vapor escaping into the atmosphere from the spilling of gas....for home tractors, lawn mowers and small engine implements. They were NOT designed to refuel automobiles (read the label).

Passenger vehicles since the 1980's will most likely have an anti siphon flap and a nozzle door at the beginning of the fueling hose going to the tank. This will make fueling using one of these "lawn and garden gas cans" quite an exercise in futility. Fuel will spill all over you, the car and the ground. In some states we found the old fashioned plastic containers but they were cheap.

Even if you plan on using a military gas container (Scepter Plastics from Brigade Quartermaster) or a real safety can like that pictured here, you will still need to purchase the $3 funnel. It works and is hands free once inserted. Auto Zone, Pep Boys or similar auto stores will have them.

Prep Tips 1 - Water

Water - the body can't work without it...at least not for very long.
Studies say 3 days...whether it is hot or cold the body respires and you exhale water vapor....one gallon per day per person is the current usage standard. Couple this with the YOYO72 theory (see below) and you will need to have 3 gallons on hand - minimum. This is a can do and MUST DO item. No water - you expire - simple. You will need something to store and transport the water.
At this point you shouldn't be surprised that many people don't even have 1 gallon on hand....bad idea. So if you haven't paid attention to this detail yet, here are some tips....
The very best portable containers from a quality standpoint are the Scepter Brand (Canadian) Water and Fuel Containers. You can find the consumer versions ($10-15) in 5 gallon sizes from auto and marine supply stores or online. They are blue and lighter gauge plastic. They are functional and easily transportable. 7 gallon plastic recreational containers can be too heavy(60#) when full so you may decide to avoid them.
Scepter military cans stack and consumer versions have pouring spouts.
Larger 15-30-55 gallon plastic food grade barrels are long term stay-in-place storage options and a topic for yet another day.

Pictured above are the military version Jerry cans transported on a SUV rack. These are heavier duty construction and can even be used as an emergency support for repairing vehicles. If you drop a full military container, it won't break.
They come in 10L ($19) or 20L ($25) sizes and are the best choice for anyone who plans on "bugging out" with any quantity of water. The 10L cans can be left in your vehicle 24/7 and won't split open if frozen. They also can slide under a bed if you live in an apartment.

You can find them at Brigade Quartermaster Online at (http://www.brigadeqm.com/) and sometimes cheaper from a military surplus dealer.
Coffee break is over. More on water to come.....