Emergency kit for the auto

[davek]

I'm positive that this has been discussed before, but I apparently couldn't get the right combination of keywords together to do a proper search, so please forgive me...

But I've thrown together an automobile emergency SHTF kit. This would be a smallish kit for traveling cross country or just getting caught away from the digs during a situation.

So I've got nifty day pack with three different compartments from Wal-Mart, and in it I have...

• spare pair of socks (2), undies, t-shirt, button up shirt, pair of cargo pants all individually vaccume sealed
• package of granola bars
• zip lock bags
• 20 bullion cubes...10 beef and 10 chicken
• first aid kit
• multi tool
• roll of duct tape
• thermal (reflective) blanket
• 100 round winchester white box .40 ammo for my carry piece
• LED flashlight
• lighter

I know I'm forgetting something. Only think I can think of right now that I'd like to add is some para-cord and a medium sized pair vice grips.

Is there anything else I need to add?

Please keep in mind that this should all fit in a day pack. My vehicle is an extended cab truck so I don't have the luxury of a trunk that I can load stuff up in and keep them dry.

Thanks.

 

[GTSteve03]

Maybe a 2-liter sized bottle of water? Would definitely help if you got a flat out somewhere remote, and could double as coolant.

What about jumper cables? That and a can of fix-a-flat. I assume you've already got them somewhere else in the car, maybe you could have one of those battery charger things too? Just a thought...

 

[KriegHund]

Water purification tablets.

The good kind, that treat a multitude of viruses and such, not the ones that come in little coghlans bottles and only treat that one thing you get from animal feces.

 

[Biker]

A 12-pack o' cheap beer, extra smokes and a Hustler...
Biker

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Besides whats already listed, my trunk currently carries:
- Road flares
- couple quarts motor oil
- canned tea (can be drunk warm, sugar and caffein)
- come-along
- tow strap
- wool army blanket
- entrenching tool
- hatchet
- machette

 

[NMshooter]

How about a couple gallons of drinking water, and a couple more of distilled water/antifreeze mix?

Other things that can come in handy: spare hoses, belts, spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, lug nuts, transparent red tape for broken tail lights.

A hydraulic floor jack, 2-4 ton rating.

Full size spare.

Cell phone and AAA membership if you do not work on vehicles yourself.

 

[Sam]

Midget compressor, plug/patch kit, minor tool kit. 10 pts water, spare ammo for rifle, whatever is left over from lunch, GI Gore Tex, long handles, pr coveralls spare gloves, fire fixins and compass.

About half the places I drive and 60% of the way to work there is no cell sevice!


Sam

 

[JamisJockey]

A way to purify and carry water. Water Purification Tablets and a couple canteens, for example.
Poncho
Extra ammo for your normal carry pieces(s).
Depending on where you live, you might want some weatherproof insulated clothing.
Ditch the lighter, replace it with a package of waterproof matches, and some fire-starter-sticks.
If you've got an old pair of boots, keep them in there as spares

 

[lawson]

a small tarp (8'x8', maybe) and some para cord. if you have to abandon your vehicle, it will come in handy for building a shelter from the sun or rain (depending on the climate you live in).

one of those cheap emergency ponchos. they barely take up any space, and if you have to walk in a heavy storm, it will be well worth it.

a tube of superglue.

a couple ace bandages. if you have to walk a while, there's always the chance you could twist or sprain an ankle. i learned this the hard way while fishing several miles away from camp.

 

[rustymaggot]

how bout a big permanent marker. that way you can write messages on your cars window if you must abandon your car. when a chp , or other help finds it he will see the note. somthing like 'out of gas, im hitchhiking to a gas station and should be back soon" the marker comes off pretty easy with wd40. write on side windows as you wont have to clean them roadside before you start moving again like you would if you write on the windshield.

second, get a extra key for your car! tie it up under the fender or somthing where you can get to it in an emergency. not so low that others can see it easily. those plastic zipties work well for this. make sure you have a knife handy to cut em down

 

[psyopspec]

Davek, it would help to know what state or region you live in.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Besides whats already listed, my trunk currently carries:
- Road flares
- couple quarts motor oil
- canned tea (can be drunk warm, sugar and caffein)
- come-along
- tow strap
- wool army blanket
- entrenching tool
- hatchet
- machette

You can replace the hatchet and the entrenching tool with a polaski. They are sturdier and more versatile. Throw in at least two gallons of water and a fire extinguisher.

For the pack, I'd throw in a couple of MRE's. Youl'll want to keep the weight down if you can. Anything over 50lbs is going to be a b to carry. I'd cut down to two extra loaded mags and maybe some extra ammo in carriers or pouches. If you lived here in Oregon, raingear would be essential.

 

[Hardware]

The bullion cubes essentially just flavor water. They offer no nutritional value so I would swap them out with MREs or even ramen noodles.

Sears frequently offers good deals on their companion line of tools. These don't have the lifetime guarantee of their craftsman line, but they are well constructed. I bought a 48 piece auto kit including ratchet, metric and SAE sockets and wrenches. It came in its own case for under $20. This and a few select spare parts, belts, hoses, etc. can get your car moving again.

Depending on where you live traction straps or tire chains can prevent an uncomfortable night.

A space blanket costs next to nothing and can be thrown in the glove box and forgotten. Cars will keep the rain off you but they are also very drafty. You'll need something to lay on as well as your blanket to cover up with.

 

[trickyasafox]

you guys all have a better sense of direction then me. i MUST have a good map with me for where ever i am headed

 

[hso]

What sort of "emergency" are you trying to plan for? What weather conditions are you trying to plan for? Do you intend to leave your vehicle and strike out on foot? Are you asking about items in addition to those everyone should have in their vehicle for the real probable emergencies we all might face? What duration emergency are you trying to address? These are important to know.

In all cases, shelter/water/food are your critical concerns. Don't let yourself freeze or cook. Don't let yourself dehydrate. Don't let yourself starve.

 

[dmftoy1]

Small pack of assorted fuses of the type your vehicle uses. (BUS, Mini-BUS, etc.)

Roll of Electrical Tape

Vicegrips.

(those three things have helped me out more times than I can think. )

I also carry a bottle of Bar's Stop Leak for the radiator. I've never had to use it on my truck, but have used it 3-4 times when helping people out.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[crofrog]

I'd defaintly say motor oil, atf and brake fluid. A few cans of fix-a-flat, some common hoses, vaccum and coolant, and the tools needed to change tires and hoses, and water that can double as coolant. A good set of gloves, if you have to work on the car why it's hot it's going to hurt unless you have gloves.

You goal should be to keep your primary means of transportation working. So you don't end up having to walk home. A portable GPS would be nice too.

If you end up walking ditch the extra cloths keep the socks though. extra clothing is just unneeded bulk, or keep outdoor's cloths in the pack, and ditch what you are currently wearing. You can wear the same undies, shirt, and pants for a very long time if you have too. No need to carry the extra weight.

Chris

 

[LaVere]

Emergency kit

Emergency kit in the car under front seat.
Mylar blanket
8" hunting knife
misc tools
50 black nylon Para shoot cord.
First aid Kit.
Strick anywhere matches
military grade compass.

In the back of van in a plastic box
2 GI wool blankets
2 heave knit sweaters
1 pair ski type mittens
1 pair welder leather mittens. ( just had the threw them in the box)
2 nylon ponchos
1 hatchet
1 military entrenching tool ( shovel one each, drab olive, collapsable, with leather holder )
1 climbing belt (just happen to have it)
1 commercial dry chem fire extinguisher.
misc shooting gear with 200 rounds of amo not for emergencies.
Some personal protection items not listed.

Now the winter is here I'll add felt lined winter boots.
wool stocking hat.
Old winter coat.

 

[Tokugawa]

MRE'S. Everybody likes to put 'em down, but for basic caloric intake they can't be beat. Self contained, and with heaters as well. A few mre's and a couple of gallons of water will keep you going for a while.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I have added for winter an old hunting jacket, tobaggan, gloves,
one of those plastic orange hunting vests for visibility if working
on the car on the side of the road.

 

[dasmi]

A 12-pack o' cheap beer, extra smokes and a Hustler...

Sounds like you've got your weekend planned.

 

[Biker]

That's just Friday night.
Biker

 

[JMusic]

Its apparent to me that no Snakeeaters have read this site yet. I'll add:
Good charcoal grill, 25 lbs of steaks, 10lbs of taters 3 lbs of salt, Crown Royal and of course "HOT SAUCE".
Jim

 

[williamlayton]

Well, actually there is another take of this scene.
There should always be what I call a class one kit.
This kit should live in the vehicle, because things happen very close to the house and without warning.
Basic set of tools and hardware, ie pliers, screwdrive, ect.
a leatherman or some such multi tool.
basic 1st aid kit, to include some sanitary napkins [large compression bandages], antibiotics, ect.
Jack, of a kind other than supplied with the vehicle.
flash lights.
gear for foul weather[dependent on the clime involved].
a hideout gun.
extra putter for when--ooops, another subject for another forum.
Always an xtra pack of cigs and two butane lighters.
Two or three OLD towels--I am forever spilling coffee down my shirt.
You can add to the list depending on your own experiences.

The Bug out or class 2 kit should always be loaded and handy.

 

[mudstud]

Guess this depends on where you live, and what the most likely SHTF scenario is. Where I live, a blizzard is a very likely occurence in the winter months, and is definitely a life-threatening situation if you are caught out in one. If you get your vehicle stuck or broke down, it may be 2-3 days before help can get to you. My snow shovel rides in the back of my pickup from September to June. A tow strap along with a tow chain and various clevises are in my truck year around. When the weather starts to get cold, I have a duffel bag with two wool blankets, a snowmobile type suit, along with warm gloves, headgear, etc. Oh, one more very important point, never leave town without a full tank of gas!