Emergency and survival gear for your car.

Edwood7

Edwood7

Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
2,890
I’m doing a lot of cross country driving now, and it got me thinking about what some of you guys carry in your cars as far as emergency or survival gear.
Any stories of things that have happened to you out on the road and how the stuff y had on you help you out?

I’m going out for a jog now:grumpy:, I will post some of what I carry latter on, see what you guys would add. I drive around in a sedan mostly, sometimes we get suburban’s.
 
A fully stocked jump bag and a tool box. Jump bag for anything medical/trauma related i run across or am victim of (Thankfully nothing serious to me yet) tool box for roadside repairs. If i wasnt a paramedic, I'd carry a well stocked, up to date first aid kit. Nothing expired. That will help more than doing nothing and also, know what your doing. Last week got called for a motor vehicle accident with one victim sustaining moderate-severe head trauma (Wear your seatbelts, they're there for a reason). If the driver didnt have the first aid kit in the car, and idea for how to treat severe head wounds, and quick thinking and acting, the victim wouldnt be here today. Because of her actions, the victim will have a lengthy recovery but will be good as new in due time.
 
water;
insulation (Ohio)(blankets/stadium bag;
first aid kit;
flashlight and extra batteries;
maps of the area (Freeways sometimes get closed, relegating you to the back roads.);
emergency cash;
food (mostly bars);
large SS cup/plastic soup bowl/spoon
tool box;
tarp/rope/stakes;
fire-making kit;
compass;
clothing and boots in case I have to walk;
small backpack in case I have to walk;
decent knife, axe, and entrenching tool
pruning saw
chamber and his seven friends
 
Small backpack
BK9
Cyalume sticks
First aid kit
Water
Firesteel
Blanket
Thermal blanket
550 paracord 100ft
Flashlight
Emergency car kit
Walkie-talkies
 
A roll of TP flattened and kept in a zip-loc bag!

three complete MREs

USGI two quart canteen - full

small shovel (currently a CS)

double hooked tow strap

I used to carry a come-a-long and got myself unstuck with it once

USGI wool blanket
 
MRes are scarce right now in the places I go for army surplus stuff, after the big southern California black out. But I do have 4 of them in my duffel bag, how do caned good hold up in a trunk? (taking in to consideration the temperature fulgurations)
 
to the tools not mentioned...
ESEE Izula neck knife, seat belt extraction, ready blade
a 4 way lug wrench,
hand tire pump,
tire plug kit in addition to a full size spare
large gauge jumper cables
take off serpentine belt
take off upper and lower radiator hose with clamps
bulb start siphon hose
fence pliers to break chain link, small hacksaw for gate chain
spare fuse kit... couple of sheet metal screws for positive battery cable to terminal connection

electronics
Garmin Nuvi 500 GPS has topo maps loaded (US not all of North America) but I think the 550 does, uses mini USB plug charger same as my cell phone
peaked up CB, cigarette power tap with magnetic mount antenna for road information
small AM/FM portable
small magnetic LED red flashing warning light
LED 2 D MagLight with window breaking center punch held on by Ranger band

GHB (based on GI poncho and mosquito netting) with Sawyer filter bottle and stainless cup
some separated heavier components
machete
18 pack of 1L water bottles
Swiss Volcano stove opened up to take a Sterno can as well as Trangia alcohol stove
converted my tinned meats to foil packets (I too was afraid of the high temps) so have emphasized foods perceived as longer term....foil pack tuna fish, foil pack instant mashed potatoe, pack GatorAde powder, tub Crystal lite, foil pack cocoa, ramen noodles,foil pack dry soup mix, boullion cubes, packs honey, couple Power Bars in my shooting bag, pack instant coffee

miscellaneous
couple N95 masks, 2 pair of spare glasses,
 
I always have a GHB with basic survival gear (small light barebones stuff, nothing serious) with a good first aid kit, trauma kit, MRE snacks (so they don't spoil in the heat), light coat and a GI poncho. The GHB is next to a duffel bag holding a winter coat, overalls, sturdy boots, case of water, and MRE meals.

I've used my basic first aid kit and trauma kit, on others who crashed into one another.

I've used a folding knife to cut a seatbelt of a flipped over jeep to get the dude out of it.

I ate an MRE while stuck in a traffic jam. It was so bad that everyone was outside of their car hanging out in the grass next to the road. There was a fatal accident and we were stuck for 3 hours or so.

I drank cases of water over time, always have lots of that available.

I've never had to jump start my car or repair it in anyway, and I've spent months driving up and down the East coast. I'm not sure if the repair stuff is worth its weight, with modern vehicles?
 
hmmm im not that stocked up,

i got a basic first aid kit
some ropes and bunjee? cords
fluids for car like oil / coolant / brake fluid / window wash
small empty gas can
flashlight / batterys
basic tools
jumper cables
jack /iron /spare tire
diapers
wipes
water
18 in Tram machete
SAK
bug spray
sun screen
spare shoes and clothing for my daughter



been lucky enough never to have a problem other than flat tire or dead battery
 
My first thought is first aid for my vehicle. I did a solo cross country road-warrior trip from New York to Arizona and back in 2005. After a day and a half, I was totally bonded with my truck as my survival capsule ;)) So, tend to all of those things your vehicle needs, make sure they're in top notch condition: spare tire and tools to change, belts, hoses, etc., you know the drill.

I found myself stopping at a dealership in Ohio for change of wiper blades and a burned out tail-light bulb (state trooper bait).

Serpentine belts for your engine are expensive, but If I was going to do a lot of cross country driving in strange places, I would carry an extra. If the one on-board breaks, no telling where or when you can get another.

I kept a full tool box in the back, and a shovel and a 5-gal bucket. No guns, no knives other than the SAK in my pocket. Plenty of maps and road atlases. Credit cards and cash stashed in obscure places. Camera and cell phone. Water and food which can be replenished almost everywhere until you start across the Mojave Desert.

Traveling solo, keep in touch with family or friends daily to let them know where you're at. I got into an area where I could have died easily and nobody would have known it...no cell phone coverage, no previous notification by me that I was going there. It was an impulse decision, I was feeling gutsy, no harm done fortunately.

And of course all the previous suggestions for personal first aid and clothing are important.
 
If I was driving in Mexico these days, I would opt for a Bradley instead of a Sedan.

To answer your question though, I live in Florida, and don't need to worry about cold weather survival. I carry basic spare parts for my old 4Runner, tools and such. I also pack 'extraction' gear, tow straps, jack, air pump and come'along.

I always have three days food, water, basic medical supplies, fire starting material, knives, tools, optics, cell phone, CB radio, change of clothes, rain gear and reading material.
 
Mannlicher said:
If I was driving in Mexico these days, I would opt for a Bradley instead of a Sedan.

To answer your question though, I live in Florida, and don't need to worry about cold weather survival. I carry basic spare parts for my old 4Runner, tools and such. I also pack 'extraction' gear, tow straps, jack, air pump and come'along.

I always have three days food, water, basic medical supplies, fire starting material, knives, tools, optics, cell phone, CB radio, change of clothes, rain gear and reading material.
Click to expand...



Better to keep a low profile, this is what some of the Zetas ride around in.

 
Small medical kit, think it's considered a two person size
Small mora punch/bait knife
Gerber camp axe
Small tarp, space blanket
Lightweight backpack with a few snacks, granola bars and crackers
Extra set of clothes, jacket, insulated overalls for winter, rain jacket, emergency poncho
Jumper cables, small tool kit, multi tool
Usually have a bottle or two of water stashed
It's not much compared to what some people carry, but it's better then nothing at all.
 
My trunk kits contains:

-Wool Blanket
-Casualty / Space Blanket
-Tarp
-Rope
-Rain Jacket
-Extra Clothes; Underwear, Socks(!!!), Pants, Shirt, Sweater
-Winter Gloves & Full Balaclava
-Reflective Safety Vest & Toque
-Orange Road Cones (they're a buck each at the dollar store, go get some!)
-Orange Glow Sticks
-Flashlight
-Big Axe
-Big Knife
-Hand Sanitizer
-Blue Shop Towels (makes good toilet paper in a pinch, too!)
-Lots of Towels! (dog owners understand this one)
-One of those little electric air pumps that runs off the cigarette lighter and conveniently tops up your tires when necessary

I live in Canada, so I get a lot of rain and snow. My kit is mostly based around that -- breaking down in poor weather or being stranded. I want to stay warm and dry. The safety vest, glow sticks, and road cones are for if I need to change a tire on the side of a busy road; everyone should have this in their vehicle. A rain jacket and flashlight helps too in poor conditions! Sometimes there are wind storms and trees block the road. Suddenly a large axe is your best friend! A full change of clothing should be carried for when you get soaking wet and need to return to the vehicle after changing that tire or chopping that tree, along with hand sanitizer and some kind of rag to clean the grease off. Wool blanket is for when you're stranded overnight.

I also carry some obvious stuff:

-Jumper Cables
-Jack & Tire Iron
-First Aid Kit
-Jerry Can
-Water
-Firekit
-Tool Kit
-Duct Tape

Blah Blah Blah!!!

Your kit should be based on what's likely - you're driving, so think car related problems primarily - the apocalypse and WROL and bugging out to the woods is not that likely IMO, so preparing for that kind of silly sh!t when there are flat tires, dead batteries, and accidents every day doesn't make sense to me.
 
Plastic box with -

Knife
Hammer
Wire cutters
Adjustable spanner
Hacksaw
Prybar
Rubbish bags
Duct tape
Zipties
Torches
Batteries
Fencing wire
Rags
CRC spray
Running shoes

Ive often wondered what the cops would say if they searched my car - nothing sinister in there but they may wonder...
 
I would be suspicious of someone that had this type of kit in his car.




:D

What kind of containers do you guys use for the water in the trunk? I have one, 2 gallon plastic jug, but im not very confident in its durability back there, it might get a leak.
 
Edwood7....if you reload metallic cartridges, or have access to someone who does, an 8# polypropylene propellant container is pretty heavy duty...a "red" 2gal gas can could be used ... not sure if it contains PBA if you worry about that.... when I was stationed in West Texas, I carried a jug of antifreeze/summer coolant (would not work if you want drinking water as the ethylene glycol is poisonous)
 
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I have in the back of my Suburban a 25 gallon Rubbermaid bin which contains:

- Sears Portable Power battery jumper. Aside from jumping my myself or others, it provides a backup power source for the cell phone and other electronic devices. Recharged monthly. Has air compressor.
- a DC to AC power inverter, which lets me run AC devices off of the vehicle cigarette lighter or Sears battery jumper
- military ammo box with tools, fixed blade, WD-40
- large coffee can with lid, containing a roll of toilet paper. When you have a sick kid in the back seat, you be glad to have a container. Could also transport gas or water in pinch.
- heavy duty universal lug wrench; those little ones that come with the spare tire provide no leverage
- winter clothes for boys, ages 10 and 14; especially jackets, hats and gloves in case we get caught out somewhere as the weather goes south
- trailer hitch (currently installed in receiver)
- comprehensive first aid kit with CPR mask
- small PSK, basically an Adventure Medical Kit's Pocket Survival Pack which I have augmented
- spare umbrella
- Maxpedition Malaga, black. Contains misc items, and can be emptied and used as required.
- paper towels
- tow strap
- anti-bacterial wipes

BOE002.jpg


I have been carrying bottled water, stored in a gallon ziplock in case it leaks. I think I need to lose that, because it will freeze. Not sure what the alternative is, when the temp is below freezing.

Maybe to add:
- small folding shovel; already have it
- A "Come Along"? Eh, probably not.
- food/snacks

In addition to the contents of the Rubbermaid bin, my Man Sack also rides in the vehicle and is available to take with me when I exit. It is not so much an EDC bag, but more of a "just in case" bag containing convenience items for the most part. It consists of a black Maxpedition MPB, which I have chosen because it has a lot of volume, and because it looks like a briefcase and flies below the radar. No "Sh*t Magnet" velcro patches for me, thanks. I want law enforcement and security guards to ignore me. It contains:

- Bible (NIV Study)
- small paperback (Resurrection, by Hank Hanegraaff)
- small "Pocket Ref" reference book; can keep me busy for a long time
- legal pad and file folder
- pens, pencils, Sharpies
- large Moleskine notebook
- Coffee Mate
- Streamlight Stinger LED in Ripoff's holster
- Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit;l I think it saves a couple ounces over the Leatherman Wave, but maybe not.
- Countycomm medium breacher bar (like I am ever going use that)
- quart ziplock with misc contents: duct tape, Blackberry charger, earplugs, suncreen, lighter, monocular, spare keys to MIL's car, etc.
- EMT shears
- small first aid kit (scrapes and boo boos only)
- nail clippers, dental floss, chapstick, tums, diphenhydramine
- advil, anti-diarrhea, cough drops, hand sanitizer
- hand lotion
- Tide stain pen
- Countycomm am/fm/shortwave radio (nice)
- spare batteries
- 1 spare loaded mag for the PM9
- pepper spray

If I know I am headed to the hospital (my mother in law is bipolar) or some other place where I will be bored out of my skull, I will grab the Kindle and throw it in the Man Sack.

In addition, a 9mm Kahr or S&W 442 is always in my pocket.

BOE001.jpg

Maxpedition Man Sack with Tupperware container.
 
Hmmm I'm like powernoodle, that is, I have in the back of my truck under locked canopy, two tubs. One is filled with mostly auto stuff, tow rope, hooks, hitch ball and hook, chains for snow/mud, lug wrench, 2 types of ropes (100'+ of each), bow saw, truck air pump, moving blanket, and a few other random truck/car items.

Other tub is mostly camping/survival use gear. Inside the tub are 2 smaller tubs. One is more medical first aid gear, and the other is filled with camping/survival gear. Stove, lantern, gas, paracord, a couple knives, a hatchet, another smaller saw, some food rations, water treating tablets and fluid, lighter, matches, flints, natural dry fire starter, mugs, pan/pot/bowls/sporks, multitools, the whole gamete pretty much. Space bag, tarps (2), shovel.. the list goes on..

In the truck are maps, gps, paper/pen/pencils, another hatchet and saw, another firstaid kit easy to reach, another multitool, a few knives, a hammer, more paracord, and a crescent wrench. Then a few bird books :) and dinosaurs lol

As far as weight goes.. its a truck.. and I get 15-18miles to the gallon the way I drive no matter what is in the back. Plus I have room for more crap when I need to pack it for a trip.
 
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