RE: Jumper cables and jump starting
Two cautions on jumper cables.  One, try to stay away from the el cheapo
cables and keep the clamps from rusting.  Light weight (small wires) and
rusted claps add up to a lot of resistance in the cables just when you need
to pull a lot of juice through them.
Second, be VERY careful connecting to trying to start another vehicle when
you engine is running, the sudden load on your alternator can lead to
disaster.  Just ask Frank Condelli about what happened at Bus Fusion about
three years ago.  You can find it in the archives.  He had the AC running,
threw a belt or two, and trashed a bunch of equipment.  I think he even
posted pictures.