Commuter Car Emergency Supplies

R

RatDrall

Joined
Feb 7, 2009
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This isn't a wilderness topic, but similar. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section.

I have a long (75 miles each way) commute to work every day. I keep gear in my car for different emergencies, but its pretty disorganized and not as efficient (right tool for the job) as I'd like it to be.

Right now I keep a first aid kit, RAT RC-3, matches, some candles (grew up in Wisconsin, was told to keep candles in case I had to spend a night in the car in the winter, and that it would be enough to warm the car, I'm not sure if this is BS), spare clothing (winter jacket, hat, gloves), a half dozen bottles of water, a hat, and a spare pair of boots. I figure that I have everything I'd need to spend a night in the car, or hike a ways to get help. Is there anything else that I should keep handy?

The first aid kit is definately going to have to be upgraded. I'm a First Responder, and have been first on scene to a few accidents and the small first aid kit I have wasn't enough, and it was too disorganized to use quickly. Can someone recommend a better first aid kit to keep in the car?

Also, I need some better containers for water storage. I'm afraid the flimsy bottles that water comes in will explode from freezing and thawing. Where can I get some safe bottles to store water in my car? Oh, what about something with a strap on it so it could be carried with me if I had to hike a ways?

I'd like to be prepared to walk for a few days if needed, what should I keep for that? I have a Maxpedition Fatboy that I think I'm going to load up with a basic survival kit, my small first aid kit, and stuff like that, and keep in the car in case I had to hike a few miles. I have no idea where to start looking for the survival kit, I was going to order a RAT E&E kit and start with that.

Sorry if I'm rambling, I'm just not sure where to start with stocking my car for emergencies. A lot can happen over 75 miles, and I don't know what I should be prepared for.
 
I'd add a blanket for possible overnight stays in the car as it would be much safer than a candle. A small tool/spare parts kit depending on your mechanical abilities. Also a good Chilton or Haynes repair manual for your vehicle.

For the water, use empty 2 or 3 liter soda bottles. They could be used for drinking or topping off a leaky radiator.

As for the FAK, check with the EMS service in your area and see if they have a list of what they stock in their jump bags. You wouldn't need everything they have but it would be a good place to start.

I keep a fatboy in my truck as a get home bag. Do a few searches for a bug out bag or for the ten essentials as a good list for what to carry. IMHO a kit you put together yourself for your particular area and your particular needs will always beat out a storebought kit.
 
RatDrall said:
Is there anything else that I should keep handy?
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I'd add a sleeping bag.

Also, I need some better containers for water storage. I'm afraid the flimsy bottles that water comes in will explode from freezing and thawing. Where can I get some safe bottles to store water in my car?
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Do a web search for "emergency drinking water".

I'd like to be prepared to walk for a few days if needed, what should I keep for that?
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You're almost always better off staying with the vehicle. You have protection from the elements and you're likely to be found sooner with it than out walking.
 
RatDrall said:
Right now I keep a first aid kit, RAT RC-3, matches, some candles (grew up in Wisconsin, was told to keep candles in case I had to spend a night in the car in the winter, and that it would be enough to warm the car, I'm not sure if this is BS), spare clothing (winter jacket, hat, gloves), a half dozen bottles of water, a hat, and a spare pair of boots.
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Pretty close to what I carried when I lived up north and had to worry about snow and killing cold. I carried a set of insulated coveralls (Carhart) instead of the jacket. One of those mylar emergency blankets could be useful, too, if you or a passanger need to keep warm.

Since you need to worry about snow, a stout folding shovel might be a good investment, if you ever need to dig yourself out of a snowdrift. A multi-tool is never a bad thing to have. I don't see any light sources (other than the candles!), so a good flashlight and perhaps a couple glo-sticks would be good additions.

Some ready to eat food would be good to have is you were stuck in the car overnight. Cliff bars, jerky, or something else that would stand up to hot temps in the car without melting would be good.

The first aid kit is definately going to have to be upgraded. I'm a First Responder, and have been first on scene to a few accidents and the small first aid kit I have wasn't enough, and it was too disorganized to use quickly. Can someone recommend a better first aid kit to keep in the car?
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I'm a big fan of Adventure Medical Kits and have several of their first aid kits in my daypack, car and BOB. You may want to check out their website to see if they have something appropriate for your needs.

Also, I need some better containers for water storage. I'm afraid the flimsy bottles that water comes in will explode from freezing and thawing.
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My preference has always been for commercially sealed, bottled water for long-term storage. If you are worried about them leaking all over, you might try putting them into one-gallon or two-gallon freezer ziplocs.

I'd like to be prepared to walk for a few days if needed, what should I keep for that?
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I think you have a good start with what you have packed in your emergency car kit already. Add a pack to carry it in and consider the Ten Essentials and you should be set. I don't know that you really need a separate, survival kit in addition to what you carry in the car, although a couple specialized items to supplement it might be useful.

Hope that helps! :cool:
 
For winter travel, a shovel is a good thing to have in a vehicle.
 
A couple basics I think every car should have:
A highway vest, LED strobe. after that it depends on what you want. I had a flat of small water bottles in my trunk all winter here, and they are fine for the most part.
I had spare winter boots, carharts and tools.
a candle is probably enough while in the car, a few degrees helps.
I'd also grab one of the cell phone "spare" chargers, so in case your cell dies your not totally boned.
doesn't have to be a lot of stuff.
 
The cheap bottles would be fine for water, but only fill them up about 3/4 full. As long as the expanding water has somewhere to go when it freezes, they'll be fine.
 
Thanks for the advice guys!

How about a water bottle with a shoulder strap on it, or some kind of canteen? I want something that I can throw over my shoulder, but bigger is better.
 
absolutindian said:
The cheap bottles would be fine for water, but only fill them up about 3/4 full. As long as the expanding water has somewhere to go when it freezes, they'll be fine.
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I'm not sure this would work--unless the cap were removed, as the air in the bottle would have to go somewhere too. A Platypus bladder filled 3/4 full would probably work, though.
 
Scott Free said:
I'm not sure this would work--unless the cap were removed, as the air in the bottle would have to go somewhere too. A Platypus bladder filled 3/4 full would probably work, though.
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It does work. I put near full 2-liter bottles in my freezer all the time and have never had a problem with one breaking.
 
Sleeping bag+++ Keep it in a large plastic trash bag to prevent gradual loss of loft (insulation) due to cold-forming of the polyester fill.

A "survival blanket" ('space blanket") only blocks wind and stops loss of heat by radiation. That's useful if you are outside. If you are in your vehicle, it would add almost nothing except condensation to wet your real insulation layers.

If you break down or are stranded by weather, how long will you likely have to hold out before someone else comes along?
 
Besides some of the things already listed, I carry a cooking pot, an esbit stove and tabs, and four freeze dried meals. Also a wool blanket.

That's good to know that the 2 liter bottles won't break from freezing! I've never carried water for that very reason.
 
Large coffee can with lid (or similar) to contain various body fluids and vomitous expulsions. Store TP inside. Also serves as emergency gas container, water container or radiator refill container.

Edit: this is more centered on being stuck in traffic as opposed to hiking back to civilization, the former being much more likely to occur.
 
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My commute is the same length as the OP's. It sucks, but that's what happens when you like where you live and you like where you work, but they aren't near each other. Yesterday my 3 year old daughter and I spent a rather dull extra hour and a half in a bad traffic jam when a gas tanker rolled over and blocked the North and South lanes of I-395. I began thinking about what would happen if I was stuck there long term, or if I had to leave the car (I'd have been screwed).

I also have the same problem; long ago, I threw a bunch of stuff into a box and stashed it in the trunk, but it is incomplete and disorganized. In fact, I don't even recall what's in there. I also ought to add some stuff for my daughter like extra clothes, food, water, toys, etc.

A couple of things I have in there that are a good idea are some road flares and a few thick drum liners. Although these are usually thought of as shelter material, they are just the thing to kneel or lie on if changing a tire or something. I also keep a substantial winter hat and mittens and a warm coat back there, along with some decent boots. If there were some really weird SHTF scenario where I had to actually walk home, I would hate to do it in a pair of loafers.
 
I've been trying to think of some of the other things I keep in the car without have to actually go and do something so taxing as looking. :)

Anyway...I also have a bunch of the disposable sawdust/iron hand warmer packets in various sizes. Some of the bigger ones get HOT and keep on giving for a loooong time. The last one I tried provided heat for 24 hours! Anyone know if those things have a shelf life?
 
I just found some old ammunition by my spare tire, I must have put it in there a few years ago. Do you think it's any good? I used to live in a very humid area, and the jackets on the bullets look a little tarnished.

Should I shoot it or throw it away? It's a 100 round box of cheap JHPs from Remington, I'd hate to waste it, especially with the current ammo prices...
 
RatDrall said:
I just found some old ammunition by my spare tire, I must have put it in there a few years ago. Do you think it's any good? I used to live in a very humid area, and the jackets on the bullets look a little tarnished.

Should I shoot it or throw it away? It's a 100 round box of cheap JHPs from Remington, I'd hate to waste it, especially with the current ammo prices...
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Hi,

If it doesn't show any soft spots or blueish/greenish verdigris, it should be ok to try. That doesn't mean it will go bang though. That depends on whether or nor the humidity affected the primers or powders.

dalee
 
I recommend including some high-quality area / regional maps - both road maps and topographical maps. They take up little space and can really come in handy if you get into a survival situation away from your regular route.

I can't think of anything else that hasn't already been covered.

All the best,

- Mike
 
The original poster is in western PA. Me too. Last winter Interstate 80 got shut down for a couple days due to weather, and if I remember correctly, people were stranded for a couple days. It got me thinking.

I keep a wool blankets in those giant (5 gallon?) Ziplock bags in the trunk. The rest of the stuff is in two Rubbermaid containers on the rear floor. A smaller container rests on the hump and bridges the gap. The top of these containers is reasonably flush and level with the rear seats. Two people could sleep back there in reasonable comfort if they had to do so.
 
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