Funny, I just challenged my wife to make herself a suitable emergency kit for her car (specifically a "get home" bag). I gave her two weeks to get it all sorted out. We'll see what she comes up with.
Anyway....
An emergency kit can be as comprehensive, or as spartan, as you want or need. All depends on your intent. Since I camp, tow, ride, am mr. fixit of the family, and have a wife and 8 y/o, my truck is prepared for just about any situation. In fact, it's probably over prepped, but I've never been stuck without a way to rescue myself or someone else. Here's what I consider must haves for a car emergency kit:
The basics every car should have (and too few do):
- Jumper cables.
- Spare tire (preferably full-size if possible). And make sure it has air!
- Jack.
- Basic tool kit: pliers, both Phillips and flat screwdriver, lug wrench, and afew crescent wrenches in the most common sizes used on your car.
Many newer cars come with everything above, except the jumper cables strangely enough. Many also have a small first aid kit in the trunk. But check, and if you don't have these basics, put them in there. These basics could be the difference between getting back on the road in 5min. or waiting 2 hours for AAA.
Now, for a more expanded emergency/survival kit:
- Fire extinguisher. For me, this is a must in every vehicle I own. A simple 2lb bottle can be discreetly mounted to the floor or door panel. It may not put out a car in a full blaze, but it'll buy you, or someone else, a few precious minutes if nothing else.
- First aid kit. You can make a better one than you can buy, but store bought is better than nothing.
- Small to medium tool bag. Not the whole chest from your garage, but an assortment of decent, usable tools. Big and small adjustable wrenches, various screwdrivers, ratchet and sockets, hammer, etc.
- Duct tape. Yes, it really has a million uses. (Keep in tool bag)
- Small assortment of both zip-ties and bungee cords, because sometimes, duct tape isn't the answer.
- Tow strap. Even if you're the one stuck in mud, snow, or a ditch, if the guy who stops to help doesn't have one, you're still stuck without one!
- Knife (obviously). Fixed blade preferably, and make it a beater. Laugh if you want, but my truck beater is actually a Gerber Bear Grills Ultimate. Hasn't let me down yet, and is inexpensive enough that I don't care how bad I abuse it.
- Scissors. Better for cutting belts, straps, fabrics, etc. then a knife.
- Electrical wire. Just a foot or two is plenty to make a jumper if needed. It'll roll up pretty small, and takes up no space. And throw in a handful of misc. connectors as well.
- Small and large flashlight (and fresh batteries for both). I keep a big 3 D cell Magliight out of habit, because not only does it illuminate things, but if you need to hit something, and you have nothing else on hand, it'll put a hurting on whatever you hit. But a small, decent, multifunction LED is good for seeing under the hood, or set it to strobe and place it on the ground as a signal to oncoming traffic.
Most of this will all fit in your toolbox/bag and will allow you to make small roadside repairs, or help yourself - or someone else - out of a jam on the side of the road.
More survival related - whether you need to shelter in place for a few hours, or it's time to head out on foot, there are some basics you may wanna keep on hand. Some of these may rotate in and out, depending on whether, time of year, your EDC gear, or even what you may normally wear to work:
- Blanket. I keep one on the backseat year round, mainly so the dog doesn't shed all over the seat. But in the winter, it's still warmth, dog fur and all.
- Boots. There's always an old pair of hikers in the truck in case I'm wearing dress shoes, or the shoes I'm wearing get get soaking wet, or just not good for heading out on foot.
- Gloves. Again, I keep a few pair of Mechanix-style gloves in the center console year round. If you gotta change a tire in the cold, snow, or rain, you'll be glad you had them. And if you have to head out on foot, they may not be the warmest (though I keep heavier gloves in the winter) they are better than nothing
- Hat. I'm usually in a ball cap of some sort when not at work as it is, but there's always one in the truck anyway, just in case. Keeps the weather off your head, and the rain out of your eyes. (Throw in a skull cap for winter)
- Light windbreaker/rain jacket. A running jacket is perfect to keep in the car, as it takes no space, and while it may not be warm, the water beads right off of it, and it blocks out the wind. In cooler weather, I normally wear a medium shell, and the running jacket fits over it for an extra layer. Obviously, if your winters get bad, throw something warmer in the car.
- 10-20' of paracord or climbing rope. Paracord is the modern day duct tape. It's just got so many uses, and 10-20 feet can be braided to such a small package, that it doesn't make sense not to have it. Wrap it around the handle of one of your tools, make a keychain, a bracelet, or whatever, and you'll always have some on hand, without worrying about whom to store it. Use it to tie down light loads to the roof, replace a shoelace, hold a hood or trunk shut, or anything else you can think of. I just used it as a leash for a stray dog a few weeks ago, who was running in traffic! Climbing rope is like paracord on steroids since it's got a much higher strength and can be used to secure heavier things if needed.
- Food and water. Buy a box of granola or energy bars and keep them in your car. Take them out of the box, and shove them in the glove box, center console, or a go bag. They last a long time, but I snack on them constantly, and just keep replacing the box with a fresh one as I get low. For water, I keep two stainless bottles in the truck at anytime. They both hold a liter, and I drink from them constantly, so they're always kept fresh. But you can buy a case of water and just rotate it out as you use it. Just be careful of it freezing in colder temps.
- Fire. Don't go for anything fancy. Zippo dry out. Torch lighters aren't bad, but need refilled occasionally. Its the basic Bic lighter is the best for emergency use. They keep forever, always light, store anywhere, and are cheap enough to throw in five or six of them if you want. If one dies, just grab the second or third one. I EDC one in my pocket, have a a couple stashed in the center console, and 3 or four in my go bag.
And finally, a 'go-bag'. You can buy a $200 milspec bag, a cheap Walmart one, or anything in between. Even an old duffle bag will work. Whatever suits your needs and budget best. Most of the gear above, that's not in the tool bag, lives in my go bag. Mine is an old Swissgear backpack, and always has gloves, light jacket, hat, a knife, some energy bars, sunscreen, small first aid kit, lighters, and various other small items in it. I use it regularly when I'm out hiking, at an outdoor event with the family, or any other time I'm out walking around for more than 30 min. So it's gear is always rotating a little. But it lives primarily in my truck, and should an emergency arise, I can grab whatever gear I think is essential, put it in the bag, and go.
It sounds like a lot when you type it all out (and I'm sure I've missed some things) but really, most of its small and light. The majority fits in two bags - a backpack and a tool bag - and takes minimal space for the basics. I could list out everything that was in MY vehicle, but it would be overkill. And really, I could strip it down further if needed (my motorcycle tankbag is set up to get me home on foot - and I've had to test it the hard way!). So just plan out what you really feel is essential for your skill set and allotted space in your vehicle. Mindset is going to more important than what gear you have on hand.
