Imagine that you are stranded in a desert with a car that has broken down! You are many miles away from the city with very little food and water. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Well, this is exactly what happened to Emile Leray, a French mechanic, who got stranded in the Moroccan desert. How did he react in the face of adversity? His incredible story is mindboggling and a lesson for everyone to take inspiration from.

Lost in the desert!

In 1993, Emile Leray embarked on a journey through the Moroccan desert in his Citroen 2CV, a car that was well-known for its durability. While he was crossing the African desert, he was stopped at the military outpost by Moroccan military officials. He was asked to return as it was a restricted area. Ignoring the warning, Emile Leray drove off at top speed only to hit a massive rock! The car was totally damaged, and this left Emile stranded in the middle of the desert. There was no way he could communicate with anyone as mobile phones did not exist in those days. He realized that he was in a precarious situation as he was many miles away from the nearest town. He was also left with little food and water.

A wrecked car to a makeshift motorcycle!

Emile Leray decided that he would not risk walking to the nearest town. Thanks to his engineering knowledge, he came up with a daring plan to overcome this adversity. He decided to build a motorcycle out of his damaged car!

First, Emile disassembled the wrecked car. Then, he shortened the car’s chassis and reattached the axle to two of the wheels. Next, he installed the engine and gearbox in the middle. Guess what became the seat of his motorcycle? It was the car bumper!

Now, his makeshift vehicle, powered by the car’s engine, could move using two of the car’s wheels, and the rider could sit comfortably on the bumper seat! This mind-blowing project with nearly no tools took 12 days to complete. Undoubtedly, it was an epic feat. He just had half a liter of water left before he left with his “handmade motorcycle” to the nearest town!

Apart from surviving on the little food and water left with him, Emile had to face the harsh weather conditions of the desert during these difficult days. Emile used the car’s body to protect him from the hot sun and the fierce sandstorms.

An incredible journey of survival!

Emile’s extreme adventure and his story of survival weren’t publicized at that time. Nearly twenty years later, when the story came out in the open, Emile Leray was living in northwestern France, and he spoke at length about his thrilling experience. He said that he put himself in “survival mode” to come out alive, and for his incredible feat, he became recognized as an “Extreme Mechanic”!

Well, not all of us have as much knowledge as Emile to engineer a makeshift vehicle in case of such adversities. So, what tools and precautions should you take if you were to go on a long road trip to ensure safety? Let’s explore some essential tools and their purposes.

Let’s assemble our emergency car tool kit!

• Jumper cables: Jumper cables come in handy, especially when you go on a long journey. If your car battery dies or becomes weak during the middle of your trip, these cables help to jump-start your car. Then, you need to go to a nearby store and replace the battery as a priority. Furthermore, it is important to learn how to use these cables before you go on your trip.
• Lifehammer: This is a life-saving tool that comes in handy, especially in the case of accidents or if anyone gets trapped inside the car. This crucial tool is designed to cut seat belts and break car windows to escape from a car. You need to keep it in an easily accessible location so that you can reach the tool from your car seat itself.

• Tire sealant: It is a handy tool that can be used to temporarily repair punctured or damaged tires. It saves you from the stress of calling a tow truck or changing the tire yourself. This aerosol product can be sprayed into the tire through the valves. It then spreads throughout the tire and fills in any punctures or leaks, which enables you to travel a short distance to get to the nearest mechanic shop. Remember, this is not a permanent fix. You need to get your tire repaired or replaced as a priority.
• Reflective triangles: Reflective triangles typically come in sets of three. They are placed 50 to 100 ft behind your car to increase visibility for other drivers and avoid collisions. This is crucial, especially when you have a breakdown at night. You can also use this to warn other drivers while you are changing tires or repairing your car on the roadside.

• Hydraulic jack: This is an essential tool, especially when you need to change a tire or perform certain repairs. It uses hydraulic pressure to lift your car off the ground. It has a flat base and a handle that helps you to raise or lower the jack. You need to use this tool on a stable, leveled surface, such as a floor or a paved road. Never go underneath when the car is supported only by a jack. You need to place separate jack stands to ensure your safety. Read the instruction manual and learn the precautions to use the jack safely to prevent injuries and damage.
• Lug wrench: This tool is essential when you want to replace or repair car tires as it helps to remove the lug nuts from your car wheels. Removing car wheels could be extremely difficult without this tool. Different wrenches are available based on the size and shape of the lug nuts. So, you must use a lug wrench that is designed for your car’s lug nuts to ensure safety.

Other tools that are essential in your emergency toolkit for your car include an inflated spare tire, tire gauge to measure air pressure, first aid kit, flashlight with spare batteries, portable fire extinguisher, compass, duct tape, windshield cleaning fluid, lubricant, etc.