Please help round out my "get home when my car dies" kit. Thanks

Noshtero

Noshtero

Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Messages
1,551
It's not a BOB, persay. It's not a Survival Kit, exactly. It's a "get home when the car leaves me stranded on the side of the road" kit. In this light, first and foremost is a cellphone. Plan 1, call for help. The kit comes into play assuming no one answer the phone, and/or my cellphone is broken/dead battery.

This is just conceptual. I'll build the thing once I get it all thought out. I basically just tried to brainstorm everything I could think of. Some of this might get removed, and I very well missed some stuff. Take a look, let me know what you think. Again, I'm not overly concerned with shelter and fire and whatnot. The only reason I would need to camp overnight is A) my car breaks down in the middle of the night or B) I'm injured and can't move fast.
If A), I would sleep in the car. If B), then I'd likely call the police rather than try to hike/camp my way home.

Tools:
Knife
Multi-tool
Pry bar
Shears

Clothes:
Leather Gloves
Rain jacket
Socks
Shoes
Hat
Pants
Shirt

Safety/Comfort:
First aid kit
Dust Masks
Sun Block
Bug Spray
Pepper Spray
Hand Sanitizer

Biological:
Food (quick stuff like power bars)
Water
Contacts and solution
Glasses
Toilet Paper

Night Stuff:
Flashlight
Wool Blanket
Space Blanket
Head Lamp

Visibility/Signalling:
Reflective Safety Vest
Flares
Strobe flashlight
Whistle

Misc Stuff:
Lighter
Spare keys for house
Writing instruments
Rite in Rain waterproof notepad
Compass
Weather Radio
Cash
Paracord
Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
Contractor Trash Bags
GPS
Map
 
I would add some sort of warm shirt and a shovel, also by looking at this I assume you have no intention to try and fix the car??
 
You have a good list there, but not all situations are a matter of survival as much as they are a matter of not having to pay out your ars for towing for something simple like a dead battery, flat tire, or keys locked in the car.



So, here are some essentials everyone should have even if you don't leave the city:


An AAA card. Worth it's weight in gold! (they will tow 5 miles free, bring you gas, jump your battery, unlock your car for you, etc.) Every woman friend of yours should have one.

Jumper cables, AND a jumpstarter/compressor (something like this http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=MTD&MfrPartNumber=11414&CategoryCode=3014)
You don't always have another vehicle to use jumper cables, or your car may be parked against a wall, etc.

Spare tire, tire iron, portable jack (should already have come with your car)
 
I noticed that a signal mirror is not under visibility I know the car has mirrors but this is a good item to have that needs no batteries to be effective.

A gas can might be a good idea,

Also some reflective triangles to leave behind the car to keep it from getting smashed at night, especially if you walk away from it.
 
One thing I think you should add is a length of chain. The old loop of chain around a tree can get you out if you get stuck in a deep rut.
 
I always have a lot more then that in my get home bag, but I assume that if I am getting home without my truck or car, that it is more then simply breaking down. One of the things you might consider adding is a couple of "GloSticks", Latex Gloves for the FAK and maybe some safty glasses. Otherwise great basic kit.
 
How long do you plan on being stranded for????


that list seems pretty long, to me, I think if I had to hike any where I like to travel light, fire kit , small firstaid kit and a PSK, in the van I have a road kit, reflective triangles,space blankets ,jumpercables , folding shovel ,duct tape and a small wrench set.

season approperate clothing is always good and maybe a warm blanket

Unless your traveling in some pretty remote areas chances are a car will be by sometime before you'll need to break out the "survival gear"

I was always told your best bet if your stranded is to stay with your car,seems people are more willing to stop and help out a guy broke down at the side of the road,than a guy hitching down the road with a kit of gear on him,

Seem like alot of the things on your list are probly in most cars already,
bottle of water,snacks, napkins or kleenex,gps/map plus what ever you EDC,


come winter time I throw a warm blanket for each of us,a bag of sand
and my big snow boots in the back


I try and look at thing as keep it simple, that list(43 items)seem like a lot of gear to stow in a car if this is a less than 24 hour type kit,


just my thoughts


cya
jimi
 
Have you thought about a handheld CB radio and perhaps an extra battery for your cell.
 
I like the idea of the handheld radio.

They may AA battery plug ins for your cell. Cheap.

I do not see a solar blanket in there. Small and can make great shelter.

TF
 
No gun ? :eek:

Depending upon time of day and location, a gun can make ALL the difference in making it home or not !!

(Sometimes, time of day and location have nothing to do with it, either !!!)

.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Here's some clarification on my thoughts of why certain gear is there:
Tools - obvious

Clothes - I often dress for where I'm going, not for the weather. If I'm heading to the gym in winter, I'll often wear shorts in the car and just run from the car to the gym. That sort of thing.

Saftey/Comfort - Mostly to facilitate walking home. Sunblock/bugspray for elements. Pepperspray for baddies and animals. FAK increase of injury. The hand sanitizer and dust mask may be unneeded

Biological - Food and water are obvious. Contacts/glasses is because I have issues with dry eyes. TP is for what TP is for....

Night Stuff - Lights to see and blankets to stay warm if the temp drops

Visibility/Signalling - Vest and Strobe to be seen. Whistle to be heard. The flares may be unneeded.

Misc Stuff:
Lighter Just because
Spare keys for house - Get in when I get home
Writing instruments and paper - Leave note on my car so cops don't tow it somewhere where I can't find it.
Compass - Point me towards home
Weather Radio - Heads up a storm is rolling in
Cash - Buy a ride and/or stuff from convenience stores
Paracord - Just because, may be unneeded
Duct Tape - Same
Electrical Tape - Same
Contractor Trash Bags - Same
GPS and Map - Find my way home

The clothes will take up the most room. The rest will all fit in a small shoulder bag.
 
The cellphone rapid charger is great. If nothing else I have one of these Black and Decker Pocket Power battery backup jobs that would work.

CB radio would be smart.

Gun.. well.. I live in Illinois. Just about the only things I can legally carry are nasty comments and a vicious scowl.

Glowsticks are going in. Love those things.

Reflective Triangles is smart. I'll just leave those in the trunk of the car.

Thanks for the ideas and feedback.
 
Just an idea, but when driving in an area where it is difficult to get help and far from civilization, isn't the chance that you can't drive any further because a tree has fallen onto the road(or even car) rather big?
So wouldn't a saw be a useful thing to have in your trunk?

I would also hide the spare keys. That way, if your car gets broken into(worst case when parked in front of your house), they won't be able to get inside your house.

Good list BTW. Certainly the reflective safety vest is important, to make sure you're not getting driven over by another car when trying to repair the car, or when walking home over the road.
 
rapid cell phone chargers,reflective vest(walking at dark on road) ,glowsticks,cash,firearm,lot of things are dupted thru out list....
 
A ground cloth. No need to get your blanket wet or grimy if you might have to use it for insulation later. Get a brightly colored one and use it as a flag if you are stuck in snow.
 
If your goal is to be able to get home expeditiously and calling someone isn't an option, how about a bicycle? They make folding bikes that will fit in the trunk of any car and take up about as much room as a large pack.
 
I carry some stuff and maybe missed some stuff on your contributors list but a folding shovel, T.P.,flashlight, a candle in a coffee can, a tarp, some water, as well as knives, fire makin' stuff, etc. are stuff I leave in mine all year round.
 
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