Help me fill this Bag !!

Battle Creek Knives

Battle Creek Knives

Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
4,355
I'm looking for some ideas on what to fill this bag with, it's for my wife's van... My primary concern is winter condiments, heat, fak...etc

bought the bag at wm for $2 red tag. its a lunch bag 10"x7"x4"..

IMG_2234.jpg


what would you put in there..?
 
in a car... well since weight isnt a concern, then i say esee5 or becker bk2, a good multitool, first aid supplies. firestarter, some cash, a phone, map. and a little food
 
multi-tool, hand warmers (air activated ones), first aid kit, some energy bars, disposable lighter, tea candle (or two), first aid stuff (though you should have a dedicated FAK in a vehicle), flashlight (you should also have one of these in your vehicle anyway), maybe a couple of glow sticks
 
Above forementioned items plus a cup , empty coffee can ( throw in trunk) , emergency tire inflator , glowsticks, cell charger , whistle , mirror , toilet paper , towel , small tarp , vise-grips , battery lantern , paracord , and of course a good FB that can be used for survival ,seat belt cutting , and self defense if necessary. A nice big pry-bar that I keep in my Jeep has saved me on various tasks also, as well as a hammer.
 
Last edited:
stealthchaser13 said:
multi-tool, hand warmers (air activated ones), first aid kit, some energy bars, disposable lighter, tea candle (or two), first aid stuff (though you should have a dedicated FAK in a vehicle), flashlight (you should also have one of these in your vehicle anyway), maybe a couple of glow sticks
Click to expand...

hiwa said:
Above forementioned items plus a cup , empty coffee can ( throw in trunk) , emergency tire inflator , glowsticks, cell charger , whistle , mirror , toilet paper , towel , small tarp , vise-grips , battery lantern , paracord , and of course a good FB that can be used for survival ,seat belt cutting , and self defense if necessary. A nice big pry-bar that I keep in my Jeep has saved me on various tasks also, as well as a hammer.
Click to expand...

plus a bottle or 2 of water, a space blanket, spare socks & gloves, and a set of slip-on ice cleats (yaktrax or similar)
 
1066vik said:
plus a bottle or 2 of water, a space blanket, spare socks & gloves, and a set of slip-on ice cleats (yaktrax or similar)
Click to expand...

spare socks.. good call...

we had that ultra horrible storm what ?? three years ago.. had ice on the ground everywhere, no one was going anywhere around here for a couple days (hills where I live) I made two make shift cleats, plywood, nylon straps and drywall screws......

worked like a charm.. lot better then slipping and slamming my shoulder on the ground... OUCH>>
 
Huh? that bag must be huge if people plan on putting that much stuff in it......I guess the dimensions are in feet and not inches like I immediately thought. Silly me.

Keep it simpler and save weight, even if it is destined for a car.
God forbid that something happens and your wife has a split second to grab what she needs and runs, you know a SHTF disaster.
That might just be me, though.
 
BK2, SAK, FAK, Hygiene kit (TP, wet wipes, alky gel, tampons, pads etc), beeswax candle or three, lighter, mathces, a book, glo sticks, flashlight, candy bars, Powerbars etc.
 
Without knowing anything about your wife, I’ll add my 2 cents. The first of which is I’d use a bigger bag. :D

My wife is not a princess, but kits I put together for her and those I put together for myself are very different.

For my wife’s winter vehicle bag I include “wait until I/help get there” items. Emergency andles in a can for warmth/light, extra gloves, sleeping bag, some hand warmers, water, snack food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a whistle, lighter and matches, etc. It wouldn’t do me much good to give her a ferro rod and a Wetterlings axe because it isn’t realistic for her skill level or application.

In your bag, I’d put as many of the items I have above as you can with an AMK Heatsheet Bivy or Bivy 2.0, a small FAK with some Chap Stick.
 
A vehicle kit, just like any other, needs to be setup according to the person using its skill level and environment.

If she has little to no outdoor skills, I wouldn't make it a grab and go bag, but a stay put and stay alive bag. If this is the case you need a bigger bag;)

A full set of dry clothing, to include appropriate winter attire for your region. Socks gloves and an insulating hat being very important.

Road flares, the real ones that burn for 15-30 minutes. These can be used to signal, or start a fire if necessary.

Reflective vest, and safety markers.

Fix a flat

FAK to include trauma gear IE touniquets, compression bandages, CPR mask, latex or nitrile gloves.

Blankets, sleeping bags, etc. Something to keep warm if she has to stay overnight.

Food and water, a camp stove with fuel source. I like the esbit folding stove and fuel tabs. Include tea, coffee hot cocoa
 
Does your wife already keep a sleeping bag in her van? How about a powerful lantern to warn other road users (snow plows etc..) that there's a vehicle at the side of the road.

As others have said a few bottles of water, a mug and hot chocolate/dried soup... how about one of those contraptions which you put in the cigarette lighter, clip it into your mug and add water, then it boils the water for you. I think that would be very useful and it would fit in the little bag...
 
Heavy duty tinfoil roasting dish and some regular tinfoil folded up to make a lid [and other stuff]. Seems criminal to have a mess tin shaped bag and not have some kind of mess tin in it, especially at nearly zero weight penalty. Spoon.

A couple or so vending machine cups [she may not be alone] stacked and crushed flat. Instant coffee or whatever makes her happy.

A couple of Esbits. Normally I'd say alcohol gel 'cos they are way better but given the shape of the boiling pot above...

Cereal bars, tarzan bars, cookies, cake bars, whatever. And a couple of those camper's “just add hotwater to bag” efforts in chilli or something else repellent so it doesn't get eaten just for fun.

Kiddies hot water bottle. Half the size of a regular hot water bottle and she can loop the same water round 'til she runs out of fuel ideas.

Phone charger – one of the ones that burns a AA cell or the like. Obviously batteries.

High viz doozer's mesh vest.

Pencil and paper, and one of those fat white pens car dealers write “sale price blah” on the windshields with.

Three night light candles, a little head torch / Zebra light, and some sort of hazard strobe.

Snood, gloves, sox, face flannel.

Duct tape.

Sunglasses.

I wouldn't waste space putting water or FAK in it, carry that separately. It would be a waste to keep cracking this kit open just to get something out for a trivial boo boo, headache, or for a bit of arse wipe. It is probably a good idea to keep your water tablets in the FAK along with other pill sized things. And bottles of water are hardly going to improve by putting them in this bag. It would also be inefficient. Again, have them separate,

Similarly, I don't think it's worth me dwelling on Stanley knives, pliers, tire chains or whatever of the mechanical stuff because that's another bunch of gear on its own. It lives in the boot with a blanket, shovel, jump leads and all that. To my mind this kit is supplement to that and the FAK.
 
12V cell phone charger with a spare battery that you periodically check to make sure it's still hot. Small battery powered charger would also be cool, instead of 12V---but the hot spare is probably most useful.

I carry my daypack survival kit when I travel in the winter and it includes a Personal Locator Beacon. However, devices like a PLB or SPOT are pretty expensive for a car kit if they aren't regularly used elsewhere.

DancesWithKnives
 
What would she know how to use?
What can you teach her to use when under stress?

The sleeping bag won't fit.
 
Thomas Linton said:
What would she know how to use?
What can you teach her to use when under stress?
Click to expand...

Excellent

I was going to comment to include
a set of instructions on what to do and what
not to do.

EDIT:
Just read my comment and it really comes off as a sexist statement.
She may be a world class survivalist.
Shame on me for assuming she wouldnt know what to do.
My apologies to the women of the forum.
 
fugawee said:
Excellent

I was going to comment to include
a set of instructions on what to do and what
not to do.

EDIT:
Just read my comment and it really comes off as a sexist statement.
She may be a world class survivalist.
Shame on me for assuming she wouldnt know what to do.
My apologies to the women of the forum.
Click to expand...

Is it not true that gear one does not know how to use is of little (or no) benefit, regardless of sex, age, hair color, or political preference. The inquiry begins with determining what will be of use to the prospective user.

Several in this forum over the years have wisely suggested the value of a small card with basic information. It can be, at the least, a calming tool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top