Car Kit for Wife?

Chad Ward

Chad Ward

Joined
Nov 13, 2001
Messages
234
Has anyone here put together a car kit for his wife? Mine thinks I'm a little nuts because I put a Streamlight Scorpion and a fire extinguisher in her car. I also put a roadside kit with fix-a-flat type stuff in the trunk. I think she appreciates the thought, but doesn't really see the need.

Anyway, I want to put together a very basic kit for her glovebox. This is mainly for dealing with minor emergencies that might come up when she's making the regular 3-hour drive to take the kids to their dad's. She's not going to trap or snare anything, build a survival shelter or hack her way through a swamp. But with winter coming on strong, I'd like there to be a little extra in the car just in case she gets stuck in a snowstorm or something.

She usually packs snacks and water for the kids, so that's not really a problem. She also carries a cell phone (#1 emergency tool).

This is what I've come up with. I've added the costs just to make it more interesting. Remember, the goal here is SMALL and basic.

First Aid kit/Container
Atwater Carey Pocket Doc First Aid Kit $ 8.95
Comes in a small zip-lock pouch with:
Splinter grabber forceps
Two safety pins
Sting relief pad
Double antibiotic ointment
Three antiseptic towelettes
Two sterile wound closure strips
Two 2" x 3" moleskin
3" x 4" molefoam
Two 2" x 2" sterile gauze pad
Five 1" x 3" fabric bandage
Knuckle bandage
2" x 3" tefla non-adherent dressings
Two Acetaminophen
Two Ibuprofen

I'll augment that with antiseptic Wetwipes (one of the handiest things you can have in your car), 2 OB tampons, 2 Benedryl and 2 Immodium. Cost: $0 We have this stuff around the house.

Extra Items
Mini Fox 40 whistle $5.85
Folded rain poncho or space blanket (still not sure about this one)$4
Photon II microlight $15
Spyderco Dragonfly (I have a spare)
Bic mini butane lighter $1
Chemical hand warmer (Also a spare)
Might add contact lens solution and a garbage bag if there's room

So, there ya have it, the $30 wife's car kit. Let me know what you think, especially if I'm missing something important or have included something that could be replaced.

Thanks!
Chad
 
When I saw the subject, "Car kit for wife?" I thought someone was offering an unfair swap. I was going to insist that you throw in a good hound dog or a Barlow knife to make it a fair deal, those car kits cost $$$. ;)

W/R/T the space blanket/poncho question I'd add both of 'em, a garbage bag for her and each child and 3 or 4 'tea' candles.
 
My wifes a medic so the 1st aid stuff is covered, but I packed and keep stocked a sort of mend it / BOB kit for her. she moans and moans about it......but she carries twice as much S**T around in her bag, most of which is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
 
I like the idea of a "Wife's Car Kit", but the question is, will she know what to do with any of the equipment? I don't think mine would! She thinks it all kind of excessive and too "survivalistic", though with all the goings on these days, she's starting to come around. I do it anyway, however.
For the car, the space blankets are fine, but there's nothing like a nice old wool blanket (in addition) for comfort and warmth.
I would add to the first aid kit with things like latex gloves and CPR mouth piece (don't know the tech name for them). I keep a larger first aid kit(and fire extinguisher) in each car. I also have a seat belt knife easily accessable. One car has a S&W rescue 1 knife while the other has the new Benchmark zipper tool. Some of those with hammers might be appropriate also. I keep a tow strap, shovel and a roll of duct tape there too.
Make sure you have enough "stuff" for all the passengers. Each of my kids has their own BOB that gets tossed into the car when they go on trips. In the winter, each gets a bag of extra warm clothes.
Just a few ideas on my part and nothing too $.
 
I made up a kit for the wife and put it in a camera case. It has fishing kit (she knows how), compass, whistle, water purification tablets and a 1 gal. ziplock freezer bag, SAK, large HD leaf bag and space blanket, spark-lite firestarting kit w/tender, strike anywhere matches, photon type light and 30' of paracord. There is already a full medical kit behind the seat and her medic bag is in the rear of the truck in a trunk which also contains, flares, jumper cables, extra oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, hoses and belt that she can replace, tools, flashlight, folding shovel, USAF survival knife, warm clothing, 2 blankets, 6 MREs w/spoon, tarp, hatchet and saw. She carries a cell phone, linerlock folder, small buck sheath knife, lighter, P38 and silk scarf. I know I didn't get it all down, but most of it, lol.
 
For a friend who is small with not a lot of upper body strength, I found out what size lug nuts were on her wheels, and bought a Craftsman deep socket in that size, and a breaker bar, both 1/2 inch drive. That way she can change a tire, and break free a stubborn lug nut. The lug wrenches that come with most vehicles don't give folks enough leverage.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! I appreciate it.

The roadside kit in the trunk has jumper cables, reflective triangles, funnel, etc. I'll have to check and see if it has a tow strap. The wool blanket is a good idea. I'll also have to toss in some duct tape. I'm not a big fan of tea candles, especially in a car kit. They melt too easily.

She usually has a cell phone and Benchmade mini-AFCK in her purse. I might swap out the Dragonfly in the glove-box kit for a Leatherman Juice. I'm leaning toward the rain ponchos as more useful than the space blanket, but I'll have to get three, and I'm not sure they'll fit in the kit. They might have to go in the trunk.

Chad
 
Originally posted by bsquare
I like the idea of a "Wife's Car Kit", but the question is, will she know what to do with any of the equipment? I don't think mine would! She thinks it all kind of excessive and too "survivalistic", though with all the goings on these days, she's starting to come around. I do it anyway, however.
For the car, the space blankets are fine, but there's nothing like a nice old wool blanket (in addition) for comfort and warmth.
I would add to the first aid kit with things like latex gloves and CPR mouth piece (don't know the tech name for them).
Click to expand...

'Zactly! Magnesium/Ferro firestarters would be an absolute waste of time, as would fishing kits, snare wires, etc. That's why I'm trying to keep this as simple and useful as possible. I am adding a large wool blanket to the trunk. That seems to be a very useful addition. I'm also adding duct tape to the trunk kit. Radiator hoses are a pretty easy fix with enough duct tape.:p As for the latex gloves & CPR barrier, I don't really see the need. The only people she would (or should) be giving first aid to are the kids -- and we're pretty sure they don't have an blood or saliva borne pathogens (unless you count encrusted cookie residue!).

Thanks!
Chad
 
We had made up some nice kits to go in the cars almost 20 years ago.

In a 1 lb. coffee can put a short 3" dia candle(or a survuval candle), Bic, matches, gloves, a couple tea bags or instant coffee. Pack the little spaces with hard-tack-type candy and a couple Hershey bars if you can (change up to a larger can if you want).

We tried it. The first time we lit the candle in the car, we were leary, and eventually switched up to one of those candles in a can about the size of a sterno can. Those come with a resealable top. (I'll try and post a pick. We get them at Garden Ridge, a craft supply store)

We nested the 1 lb can inside a 3 lb, and could add more.

Eventually we put all the non-perishibles in the cans, and put a cheap tacklebox in with candy & drink options. You can also add a Sierra cup per person.

The coffee can will allow you to melt snow for water.

The folding shovel has been mentioned, but we prefer the Cold Steel Spetznaz shovel. Easier to use in the cold. Make sure she knows to clear the tailpipe area if she goes off the road and gets stuck. This will reduce the potential for CO poisoning.
 
Well he mentioned wet ones wipes,can serve double duty as antiseptic wiping wounds as well as other things :D
 
The one guiding principle I used in putting together my wife's kit was to make sure to cover every possible contingency, ie.e, she gets "The Big Kit." The kit in my vehicle has only the basics. The idea is that I might be with her when a problem arises and will be able to use all included items. Her kit is all inclusive. Conversely, if she has a problem while alone, I would expect to start moving in her direction ASAP. If I have a problem while alone in my vehicle, all things being equal, I'll be able to cope better with less gear.

I hope this makes sense. :)
 
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