Preparing for the trip.
Just as you wouldn't take a small boat on an ocean voyage without preparations, you shouldn't go into the remote desert without the right equipment. In both places you are on your own.
Make a trip plan. Always let two separate trusted friends know where you are going, the route you are taking and when they should expect you back. Stick to your plan and call them when you get back or when you have finished crossing the desert on your way to somewhere else.
For any kind of serious exploring, your vehicle must be one that has high clearance to avoid the road obstacles you will find. A four-wheel drive is preferable or a two-wheel drive pick-up with locking differential and a winch. I would opt for the four-wheel drive.
If you are to avoid a breakdown in the middle of nowhere your vehicle must be in "desert ready" condition. This is a different state of readiness and reliability than most city cars are in.
Make sure your car has a very good battery; many desert explorers carry two. Carry extra gas and oil and all the tools needed for a field repair.
If your car's hoses and belts are older than 2 years, change them. Never mind that they look good, replace them, inspect them and carry them for spares if they are still ok. Two years later do the same thing over again. Don't forget to also replace the coolant and hose clamps every 2 years as well.
Check your water pump for looseness and replace it if necessary. Anti-freeze lubricates the water pump bearing and seal. If you allow the coolant to get old, the pump bearing wears out, gets sloppy, and causes the seal to start leaking. So if the pump feels loose then the leaking is soon to follow.
If your car has one of those tiny donut spares, get rid of it! Replace it with a normal tire even if you have to carry it in your trunk. The tiny spare has a limited life of about 50 miles in distance and you cannot drive faster than 50 mph on it . The donut spare tire is smaller in diameter than the other tires. When it's used on the drive axle, it will cause the spider gears to spin constantly and will create excessive heat and wear.
What to do after the breakdown.
The first thing you should do is keep calm and think. Panic is a killer in emergency situations. It will make you blind to reason and make matters worse. Work in an organized manner to ward off panic.
If you are in a low lying area, make your camp on high ground. Flash floods are common during the season and they come without warning. If you see clouds in the distance, it is possible for a rainstorm there to cause a far-reaching flood.
Put your hands and feet only where your can see them to keep from surprising snakes and other critters that may harm you. Use a walking stick to tap ahead of you when not sure of what's there.
Build a fire, brew some coffee or tea. This will give to something to do and calm you down. Accept the fact that you are stranded, forget about the blame game or the if-onlys.
Stay within sight of your car. An automobile can be seen from the air much better than a person can. If you must leave your car, leave a note and a marker showing the direction of your travel. Stay near roads; you might see someone.
Assess your situation, your stocks on hand, your water etc. Decide on a plan of action: where you will sleep tonight, what you will do tomorrow, how to keep yourself healthy and safe. Assign duties to other members of your party.
Water is your first priority. Stay in the shade. Conserve your water by doing strenuous activities at night or cooler times of the day. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, eat, take salt or do excessive talking; these activities waste water.
Do not ration your water; drink when you are thirsty or you will dehydrate and perish.
Look for water before you need it. Watch the flight patterns of birds, follow animal tracks, they often lead to water. If you find a dry creek bed, try digging in it. Near trees or at the outside bends of the creek are the best places to dig. Look where animals have dug for water and try there.
Shelter from the sun is a must. Use a tarp or sleeping bag tied to the car or a bush to make some shade. Sit on your lawn chair and prop up your feet to stay cooler; the desert floor is 30 degrees hotter than it is 12" above the ground.
Even though the desert is hot in the day, it can get very cold at night. After building your shelter, gather some firewood and get ready to spend the night.
After your due-back date has passed and your trusted friends have organized a search party, keep the materials ready for a signal fire. Your signal fire does not have to be very big, just effective.
In the day you want a very smoky fire. Use upholstery material or pieces of tires, or motor oil to create smoke.
At night you will want a very bright fire. Use dry brush or lighter fluid or, dare I say, gasoline to build a flash fire if you hear aircraft flying by.
BE VERY CAREFUL WITH GASOLINE. Never pour gasoline on a fire!
Have a separate pile of wood ready to light when your hear aircraft approaching. Pour the gas on the pile of wood, stand back. Make sure you have no gas on your clothing or shoes. Go to your regular fire, get a burning stick and carefully throw it on the gas soaked wood pile.
Three small fires in the shape of a triangle signify a distress signal. Make them about 10-20 feet apart so they can be seen from the air.
Remember, desert travel can be an enjoyable and interesting experience or it can kill you. If you respect it and come prepared, should something go wrong, you will be able to survive to take a better trip another day.
