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It is an unwritten rule of driving that cars never break down within a mile of a service station, telephone or restaurant. Breakdowns often happen on remote stretches of highway, far from the nearest rescuer and nowhere near a mechanic's house. Walking towards the nearest town might sound like a logical option, but do you have enough water to survive the trek? Staying put and waiting for the next car or a state trooper may also seem worthwhile, but how often did you see a car pass by BEFORE you broke down? There's no guarantee a passer-by will stop to assist, and state troopers don't patrol every stretch of highway.
Surviving a breakdown in the middle of nowhere requires some survival skills and a tremendous amount of patience. It's often better to wait for a solution rather than pursue one which will hurt you in the long run. If you took that particular road or drove into that isolated area for recreation, chances are someone else will do the same eventually.
Here are some tips for surviving a breakdown in a very isolated area:
1. Make it quite clear that you have indeed broken down. Raise the hood and the trunk (disconnect the lights to save the battery) and tie a cloth to the aerial antenna. If you have a sign or sunblocker with a 'Send Help' message, display it prominently. People driving by may only have a few seconds to realize your plight and know it isn't a trap.
2. Take an inventory of your supplies. Do you have any drinkable water or food? If you must remain with your vehicle overnight, look for insulating materials such as blankets, newspapers or tarps. Tarps may also come in handy as sunblockers on hot days. Your priorities are water, rescue aids like mirrors and flares, and shelter from the elements. Humans can survive for three weeks without food, but only three days without water. Keep bottled water in your trunk for just such an emergency.
3. Retrace your steps to decide whether to stay or go. The middle of nowhere is still between two somewheres. If you remember seeing signs of civilization within a comfortable walking distance (generally 5-10 miles for unconditioned walkers), then your best bet for rescue may be to walk in that direction at night or early in the morning. Walking during the heat of day without water is an invitation to dehydration. Without a decent supply of water, you're better off waiting at your car for rescue.
4. Think outside the box for emergency repairs. A working vehicle is probably your best chance of reaching civilization quickly, so try unconventional methods to get your car running again. A belt can be replaced with pantyhose or strips from a rubber raincoat or poncho, for example. A dry radiator can be filled with urine or washer fluid. A burned-out ignition switch can be bypassed with a wire leading directly from the starter solenoid to the positive end of the battery. Car engines are usually stronger than we realize, so a few hours of rest could make all the difference. The worst possible scenario is a dead battery, so conserve use of the radio and disconnect extraneous lights.
5. Use your car for protection at night, but stay out of it during the day. A car's backseat can make a comfortable bed at night, but the passenger cabin can get extremely warm during the day. Try to set up a shady spot outside of the car during the heat of the day to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. If an entire day passes with no assistance in sight, find something to write down your vital statistics, problems with your vehicle, present health condition and direction of your walk. If a rescuer does discover your vehicle while you're walking for help, your information will help the rescue efforts tremendously. Your family may also be notified with the details if you've been reported missing.
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