Vehicle Kits

[NuTcAsE]

The "Go Bag" thread reminded me of this, and since it's getting cold, it's time to get the truck ready. This is in addition to the booster cables, tire tools, fire extinguisher, etc. in case you're stranded, possibly over night. I'll put together one like I have in my 4 wheeler. We go 4 wheeling alot in Ky. in the event I get separated from the crew it'll probably be just overnight.

This will go in the "trunk" of my 4 wheeler with the tool kit.

4 wheeler kit:

In a gallon sized zip lock bag,

2 contractor garbage bags (shelter)

Couple space blankets

emergency rain ponchos

matches

magnesium fire starter

cotton balls

razor knife w/ extra blades

fishing line & hooks

550

first aid

in addition for the truck

hand warmers

an M.R.E.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Guest tedbo]

How about a dry change of clothes? Especially 4 wheeling,you would be mor inclined to get wet and a dry pair would prevent worsened circumstances.

[Guest SUNTZU]

As far as the shelter goes, I would be more inclined to add a 10 x 12 tarp, either a standard blue tarp, or, if money allows, a silicone impregnated tarp that you can find at most hiking/backpacking stores, or online stores. The cotton balls need to be lightly infused with petroleum jelly, so that they are still fluffy. I personally use trioxane, as it is cheap and will start a fire even if the wood is wet. Another item to consider instead of the space blankets.

Link to what the sleeping bags look like:

http://www.iprepare.com/100.html

There are some other options for emergency bags, but I can't recall the name. They aren't made of the mylar, so they are quieter. That way, you don't sound like your in a sheet of aluminum foil. I used to carry a mylar blanket, and had to use one when I was camping. I sounded like an amplified candy wrapper being crinkled.

Edit to add: Here are the emergency bivies. They are made by Adventure Medical Kits.

http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/products.php?catname=SURVIVAL%20TOOLS&cat=10

Edited November 16, 2008 by SUNTZU

[Mark@Sea]

Water. You can go days without food. Water, not so much. You need a canteen, water bottle, something. A filter or small bottle of bleach if you figure on drinking from streams, etc. If its' raining, a funnel or your tarp will collect it, but what do you put it in?

Basics; security, shelter, water, self-rescue, food (in about that order).

You're stranded overnight, and a hungry bear comes along, your first order of business is not being lunch. Probably won't happen, but if it does, it takes absolute priority.

You won't have to worry about anything else if you freeze to death first, so shelter is good.

Hydration is life. Really. Go 8 waking hours without drinking anything, you'll get wonderfully concentrated on that fact.

Self-rescue covers everything from compass to first aid. You got a compass? Cool! Do you know how to use it, really? First aid - stop the bleeding, splint the fractures, and if you are highly allergic to bees or what-have-you, be prepared. You really won't be giving yourself CPR, or removing your own spleen, so don't get crazy, there, Doc.

Food, yep. MRE's are good, you don't spend any time catching them. Fishing kits are cool, but not very useful if you aren't on a river or lake. If you can get out of the fix you're in within a day or two, though, you won't starve.

How about self-rescue for your vehicle? A good come-along may be your ticket home.

Edited November 16, 2008 by Mark@Sea

[NuTcAsE]

Good ideas, the 4 wheeler pack is just an absolute last ditch plan. A few bare necessities in addition to what I normally carry should worse come to worse. I kept it to a gallon sized zip lock so it could stay in the trunk, and use items I could walk through the house and get, that were "multi tasking".

I normally carry an extra change of clothes, a GPS and map, couple bottles of PowerAde or water, snack, and "protection".

Here's the pack theory.

Gallon sized freezer zip lock - pack container in and out of the woods, can use it to carry/store water. I also have a few quart sized freezer bags extra.

Contractor bags - They're tough, you can use them to waterproof a debris shelter. Split them in half over some cord for a pup type tent. I can get it one, but I'm a scrawny stickman.

Emergency Blankets - They'll go in the pack, and work in a pinch, they're shiny I can stake one out for a signal. I like those Heat Sheets, and bivvys. http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/products.php?catname=SURVIVAL%20TOOLS&cat=10

Fishing line & hooks - if I'm not near a fishing hole I can use the line for traps, snare, or sutures. Very unlikely I'll need it at all, but it takes up no space and it's there.

An extra change would also be good in the vehicles or a pair of insulated coveralls.

Man, I forgot about Trioxane and I got some lol. I'll put some in the pack.

A compass would go in the pack, the GPS eats batteries and electronics can fail, usually when you need them.

For a truck/car kit you could pack it in a coffee can.

I thought I'd throw this out to collect ideas, different points of view. Just something to keep in your vehicles that's compact, practical, easily & cheap put together and relatively the same in all your vehicles so that's one less thing you have to think about. Chances are I'll never have to use it, like Mark said somebody is bound to come along sooner than later where we ride or if you're along side the road. In either case it's best to stay put and wait.

[strickj]

Shelter;I'm sleeping in the car with the heater on!

Clothes;I learned the hard way that clothes left in a trunk will mildew(or at least smell like it) after awhile so I keep one pair in a gallon zip lock.

Dont carry any food,not be choice,but because my fat ars like to eat while driving.

One thing that no one ever seems to mention is this:

It will jump start a dead battery,inflate a flat tire.and has both ac,and dc power outlets(two of each)

I have used it a couple of times when the power has gone out in the house to power a lamp,and it works well for around an hour(methinks).

I'm sure it would last longer with low power bulbs though

[molonlabetn]

Blanket, First-Aid Kit, unopened gallon of distilled water, change of clothes, 2 large garbage bags, flashlight, batteries, $100 in cash. Plus, whenever I am in the car, I have a pocket-knife, another flashlight, usually a pistol, and of course my intimidating sex-appeal...

[PackinMama]

My dad always taught me to keep candles, a metal coffee can with sand or something in the bottom to hold the candle securely in place, and a lighter or matches in the car. That way if the car breaks down in cold temps and you're stuck there for a while, you can light the candle, put it in the can, and it will keep you from freezing. The metal can actually helps radiate the heat from the candle. We lived in Chicago for many years and huge snowstorms and sub zero temps were very common.

Edited November 17, 2008 by PackinMama

[10Kilr]

Glow sticks are great for all occasions, not just Hallowen.

[NuTcAsE]

Shelter;I'm sleeping in the car with the heater on!

Clothes;I learned the hard way that clothes left in a trunk will mildew(or at least smell like it) after awhile so I keep one pair in a gallon zip lock.

Dont carry any food,not be choice,but because my fat ars like to eat while driving.

One thing that no one ever seems to mention is this:

It will jump start a dead battery,inflate a flat tire.and has both ac,and dc power outlets(two of each)

I have used it a couple of times when the power has gone out in the house to power a lamp,and it works well for around an hour(methinks).

I'm sure it would last longer with low power bulbs though

If you're alternator dies, you're car will run till the battery dies. You can hook one of these to you're battery and it will keep it running a little bit if you need to get off the road.

[Punisher84]

My dad always taught me to keep candles, a metal coffee can with sand or something in the bottom to hold the candle securely in place, and a lighter or matches in the car. That way if the car breaks down in cold temps and you're stuck there for a while, you can light the candle, put it in the can, and it will keep you from freezing. The metal can actually helps radiate the heat from the candle. We lived in Chicago for many years and huge snowstorms and sub zero temps were very common.

You can also get a "3 wick" candle from most outdoors stores. It comes in a little can and each wick will burn for 12 hours. In an enclosed space you get 36 hours of heat.

If you folks have never heard of them you might want to check out Survivor Industries. http://www.survivorind.com/

They have pre-made kits or you can buy the stuff individually. I buy their waer packets, food bar, and cocoon sleeping bag and keep them in the glove box with a few other things in my Maxpedition gearslinger. It's not bug out, but I can survive. I also believe Range USA in Memphis sells SI products.

[Guest RISC777]

A few additions to all that's been listed --- CB radio, rationing the 12-volt supply. Cell phone. Hand held mirror (if you are way out and someone's looking for you). Can of Slime or Fix-A-Flat if there's a tire problem. Electrical tape or/and duct tape (thousands of uses).

[Punisher84]

Duct Tape for the win!

[Guest anvil]

you might consider adding some rope and maybe a camp axe

[Guest ridge rover]

Flares for firestarting, they have no equal!

Don't forget gas or a gas extender like Heet, octane booster, etc.

Ya might have to hike out. Some type of backpack might help!

[Guest db99wj]

I will walk home.

Not kidding, for the most part, I am between home, kids school/church, and work. From Point A, my house, to point B, to Point C (work) is just over 3 miles. I can run this if the true SHTF in 25-27 minutes, working on that time . There are no rivers to cross between these areas.

But for the casual use, I do keep flashlight, batteries,mechanics tool kit, jacket, first aid, fire extinguisher, hiking boots, ammo, jumper cables, air compressor in my Jeep. I also have a GPS, handheld and one on my phone.

If I were to go on a trip, I pack accordingly. IF to my moms up at Reelfoot Lake, basically the same stuff. Further, well I pack according to the areas I will be in. If I were going to be in the back country, that would mean I am way far away from home and I would have water, some food, compass. Winter/Summer will dictate types.

If I lived in East Tennessee, where there are mountains between places, and wilderness, our out west, my car would be packed with longer term survival in mind.

[dralarms]

Glow sticks are great for all occasions, not just Hallowen.

Tell me about it. I keep 50 or so around and use them for all kinds of stuff. Every year after haloween my wife cleans up in the clearance sales.

[Guest JeepMonkey]

Whenever I go out in the woods four-wheeling, I take the lint from my dryer's lint trap. Call me crazy, but the stuff lights up like gasoline on a fire. If your lighter fails or runs out of fluid, put a bit of lint on a dry leaf and drop sparks on it (I usually use a knife and flint stick). The lint will light the leaf, which you can then transfer to a stick pile, and there's you a fire without a lighter or match. MRE's are golden if you can stomach them. Water bottles with filters are a lifesaver as well.

[shirtshirt]

Add this bad habit to my list of "musts":

I've been trying to quit....but for now it's essential. Pathetic, but I'd rather have this than a pound of chicken.

Edited February 4, 2009 by shirtshirt

[Punisher84]

I wanted to add this link and post a warning about some stuff.

First this site has some good info and lists for different types of kits.

www.equipped.com

Here comes the warning. I should have thought of this, but was stupid and did not. During the heat of summer and cold of winter my "survival" candle that is designed to keep me heated for 36 hours melted damn near completely. It didn't mess up my bag or anything else in it, but I did completely inventory my bag and supplies to check for damage. Everything that is in the bag now can withstand extreme cold and heat.

I just thought It'd be worth reminding everyone to always check your gear.

[Guest macmonkey]

A lighter. You've got matches and firesteel but those can be nearly impossible to use in even moderate wind. A good lighter takes up virtually no space, will last a long time and can light hundreds of fires with the flick of your finger.

----

My Car Bag Consists Of:

Small Backpack (Bright Colored and Durable)

Tennis Shoes (Broken In and Comfortable)

2 Pair Socks

Lighter, Matches and Firesteel

Tinder Balls ( Cotton Smothered With Vaseline)

Military Grade Poncho (Rain Protection AND Shelter)

Small Hand Sanitizer (Cleans hands and Fire Accelerent)

Handfull of Cereal Bars

First Aid Kit (Including Bandages, Tweezers, Mix of pills such as ibuprofin and some Engergy Pills)

Parachord (550lb Real Deal)

Small Sun Screen (Wrapped In Duct Tape)

Fixed Blade Knife

Whistle

Small Mirror

GPS Unit and Compass

$50 In Cash ($5's and $1's)

2 Durable (non-clear) Water Bottles With Wide Mouths

Water Purification Pills

In addition I keep a thick jacket in my car year round AND I've always got my sidearm.

Edited February 28, 2009 by macmonkey