Are you a roadside rescuer?

There are those people who will casually pretend they don’t see someone in distress. They will just drive by the person with the low tire pressure without a thought….Maybe because they’re busy, maybe because they’re too important, maybe because they think they should have your own tire inflator or maybe because they just don’t give a damn.

Then there are the rescuers…. The people whose senses perk up when they see someone pulled over on the side of the road or a fellow motorist with their hazards on because they need to inflate their tire. The clock is ticking and they’ll be late for their meeting if they stop. So, they drive by the distressed person and all the while glancing in their rearview mirror at the flashing lights. They just can’t help themselves. Screw it! They get off the next exit and circle back to help the stranded driver in need of 4x4 tire inflator. If you suffer from “white knight syndrome”, it’s not your fault. You most likely had a good mother that instilled the proverbial Catholic guilt deep into your psyche. If you know this about yourself, then you need to be prepared. There’s nothing worse than having the intention to provide assistance but not having the roadside tools to do it.

Some people take their desire to help to a whole different level and make a career out of it. They become a Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Game Warden, and a Park Ranger – someone that can rescue people all day long and get paid for it!

Whether you save people every day at work, or if you just put your superman cape on as needed, one thing you need are the right tools.

Here’s a checklist of things to keep in your vehicle so that you’ll be ready for that next rescue and can properly “white knight it” all over town.

• SpecialOpsTools 12 volt portable air compressor (to top of tires fast)
• Distress signal-a red bandana to tie to your antenna is preferable to a " Highway Help" sign because it's more visible
• Emergency flares
• Reflective cone
• Water - Remember to empty the bottles, wash them out and refill them every few months.
• Flashlight With Extra Batteries
• Shovel
• Jumper Cables
• Tow Rope
• First Aid Kit
• Non-Perishable High Calorie Snacks
• Fire Extinguisher-Keep it in your trunk or strapped down, as it can become a dangerous projectile during an accident. Consumer Reports recommends carrying a small 1A10BC or 2A10BC unit.

Some roadside problems just can’t be avoided, but motorists should do all they can so avoid the ones they can. A lot of roadside situations can be avoided if tire pressure is routinely checked and monitored. Underinflated tires waste gas. The Department of Transportation estimates that 5 million gallons of fuel a day are wasted due to low tire pressure. That's more than 2 billion gallons per year of gas wasted just because people don't take the time for the right tire inflation.

Hopefully, the next time your inner rescuer is called, whether it be at work, or driving down the road, you’ll be ready to properly inflate that tire, or jump that battery.