Emergency Kit {A.A.E.K.} As with the rest of Life in general, when you are a Driver you must also be prepared for Emergencies. This page will detail a list of essential and very useful equipment that should be carried in your car to cope with not only your own misfortunes but the problems encountered by other Drivers as well!
Being able to assist another Driver in difficulty, in the blink of an eye, because you have the foresight to carry your
A.A.E.K kit {
Advanced Astral Emergency Kit}, will be a very public spirited gesture and could even prevent a serious accident if a car is stranded on the road in a dangerous spot.
Flat Battery … Solution = Jump Leads.
The easiest way to help a Driver who cannot start his or her Car is by carrying a set of heavy Duty Jump Leads. Push-starting or “Bump-Starting" a car is o.k. up to a point if there are two of you besides the Driver but it’s a tough job if you are on your own and impossible if the stalled car is on a slope or incline. Also if the engine is cold e.g. after a long period of parking or on a very cold day it can be very frustrating (and tiring!) pushing a car down a hill and for it not to start!
Inexplicable Non-Start…Solution= Tow Rope.
Sometimes Cars will cut out and fail to start again and the problem is not the Battery. There could be several reasons for this …an electrical connection come adrift; a jammed starter motor bendix; other less obvious reasons or simply out of petrol. A strong tow rope which takes up little space and doesn’t weigh a ton will do the trick. Towing a car is stressful for both the towing driver and the driver that is being towed in the stricken car. Not a good idea to be towing a car in any heavy traffic situations and you must ensure that brake lights are functioning and the knots on the tow rope are fully secure.
Hazard warning lights should be utilised on both vehicles and preferably a sticker on the towed car showing that it’s on tow. The Tow rope needs to be kept taut by the Driver in the towed vehicle by anticipating any slow –downs or stops. Drivers’ window should be rolled down in order to give hand signals. Remember that other Drivers may be unsighted and not be aware of the towing situation until it is too late!
Puncture…Solution=Astral Total Tyre Combo.
Over the years and after many punctures in out of the way places at the dead of night, we put together the Astral Total Tyre Combo (A.T.T.C).This consists of:-
(a)
Cast Iron Cross Wheel brace… with four sockets (for four wheel nut sizes)
(b)
Plank of Wood (12 x 6 inches)… to support Jack in very wet and soft conditions.
(c)
Magnetic Torch …which will adhere to bodywork and runs off cigar lighter.
(d)
Mini compressor… to inflate a deflated tyre. Works from the cigar lighter.
(e)
Spare set of wheel nuts… for the replacement wheel (Steel) if you are using Alloy Wheels.
(f)
Tyre pressure gauge… to check pressures are adequate for situation.
(g) Towel, hand cleanser and kitchen roll…Dirty business changing a wheel!
The above Kit will enable you to deal with
all situations when you are on the road but will also enable you to keep all your tyres correctly inflated and checked when cold, in the comfort of your own driveway or garage!
Tool Box …Provides the Solution to many Problems.
This doesn’t have to be so extensive that it weighs the car down but should contain the following:-
(a)
Screwdrivers Standard and Phillips head…a couple of sizes.
(b)
Roll of Red insulating Tape
(c)
Old t-Shirt…cut into strips for emergency repair to coolant hoses.
(d)
Warning Triangle (compulsory for European Touring)
(e)
Laminated Emergency Telephone Numbers List...for Family ; Garda (Police)Station; Emergency Call out; Your own Service Garage; Hospital;
(f)
Spare Bulbs and Fuses
(g)
Light weight Hi-Viz anorak …for changing wheel or flagging down another Driver in heavy Rain.
(h)
2 Large Bars of Chocolate wrapped in air tight bag (for Blizzard or other Life and Death breakdown situations)
(i)
Plastic Bottle of Drinking Water(1or 2 litres)
Medical Kit …Some one else could benefit in an Accident.
In Car Mobile Phone System… to Charge Cell phone Battery.
With the above kit installed you will be able to take care of most of the situations you are likely to encounter on the Road and of course will be able to play the White Knight to any other unfortunate Driver who finds him or herself in difficulty.
