Survival in your Vehicle : Preparing for Emergency

B

Banshee

Joined
Oct 13, 2001
Messages
402
Guys ......

I've come across many threads discussing nice 'tricks' or ingenuity to solve vehicular problems from leaking fuel tanks, missing oil caps and leaking radiators.

My question is, other the b.o.b in the trunk and the altoid can in your pockets (with various other 'equipments' on your belt and pockets), what the other 'emergency' equipments you carry in your vehicle. I'll srat with mine, (p.s I drive a normal sedan car but am an engineer who goes a lot into the field and remote areas, so I carry for what emergency I think I'll need);

1. Extra Jerry Can of Fuel plus empty can and nozzle
2. Two ton rated tow rope (webbing)with safety hooks on both ends. The nylon webbing type rope is better than steel cables cause the cause less damage if the break, are lighter, with the same strength and easily stored.
3. Three pairs of flashlight
4. Jumper Cables (400 ohm)
5. Extra Car Batteries.
6. Two ton mechanic/car workshop type jack (foldable)
7. 4 litres of water
8. 2 bottle of car battery liquid
9. Foldable showel
10. Jacket
11. Full change of clothing (two pair, one pair of formal wear and one casual)
12. Safety boots, a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers
13. Construction safety helmets.
14. Foldable Buck Multitool
15. Benchmade Tactical Hook hanging on my rear view mirror (as an ornamant) for cutting seat belt in an emergency.
16. Crowbar
17. Clamp

...so what's yours ??/


Bob
 
Not counting our BOBs and on body personal gear, we have a footlocker type trunk in the shell covered pickup bed, that has misc. parts and fluids as well as an ax, hatchet, folding shovel, tool kit, 50'X 1/2" braided nylon rope, 2 blankets, 1 large maglite and one mini maglite, extra batteries, 12 MREs, stove w/fuel, Wool watchcaps, wool glove liners and warm coats. We also have 5 gal. of gas and 5 gal. of drinking water, 1 sleeping bag and a rolled up futon matress as a pad that are wrapped in large industrial trash bags. In the cab of the truck behind the seat is my ladies EMT bag, emergency flare kit, HD jack and misc. gear shoved into a self installed, full width pocket organizer that attaches to the cab behind the seat and that will carry my shotgun or other long tool, in a fleece line compartment. The glove box contains it's own survival kit, vehicle papers and maps.
 
Originally posted by Banshee
15. Benchmade Tactical Hook hanging on my rear view mirror (as an ornamant) for cutting seat belt in an emergency.
Bob
Click to expand...

It sounds like you're well set up. If I may make one observation, it is not uncommon for the rear view mirror to detach from the windshield in a severe accident (ie a roll-over). If this were to happen, you could possibly lose access to your seat belt cutter.

I keep mine attached to the seatbelt near the buckle, so it rides in front of my right hip, outside the belt (not against my body).

~W
 
Yes, the mirrors will often detach during a collision! I like the "Hi-Lift" jack myself, along with the oversized base. In fact, the base is a good addition for anyone to carry to use with most types of jacks. I always have multiple flashlights around, but one that stays in the Jeep 24/7 is the one made in Russia that uses no batteries, and is powered by a squeeze-handle that spins a generator within the gadget.
 
Just a point on cutting seatbelts. In 16 yrs. as a firefighter/paramedic, I can only remember one wreck where I had no other choice than to cut the seatbelt, we always push the release. The car was on its roof and the (elderly woman) victims weight keep it from unlocking. A younger or stronger person would have been able to get loose, like I did when I rolled my truck and it ended up sitting on the passenger side.

Back to the subject, I carry a folding shovel, jumper cables, a 12v work light, tool box with some basic tools and small parts, a hydraulic jack and some wood blocks to use as a base for the jack, a Streamlight Stinger and charger, plus a few small survival items. No MREs, I'd rather resort to cannibalism ;)
 
Extra fuel can indeed be dangerous. So can batteries, if of the wet cell type. When my wife wanted to carry extra batteries in her van to use during her canine SAR activities, I made sure she understood to get the gel-cell type, which will not spill battery acid. Little by little, I am accessorizing my Jeep for off-road and back-country travel, and I will not carry extra fuel until I install purpose-built racks to carry the fuel cans outside the passenger compartment, and high enough to minimize the chance of damage in a collision. Also, make sure to rotate spare fuel, or use a stabilizer, to prevent the gasoline from turning to varnish. Even diesel can go "bad" from things growing in it.
 
I keep a smaller amount of gear, as I live on an island that's only about 5 square miles. But in the truck I keep jumper cables, a tarp, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, some fire starters, water, a few MRE's,(the new ones are really good) the timeless and wonderful poncho liner, a few tools and some extra light sources. This all fits along, with the stuff that came with my truck (toyota), in the compartments under the back jump seats over the jack. The only things readily available are the fire extinguisher. Whenever I leave the island I take a Camelback filled with basic stuff, first aid, extra gun etc, depending on where I'm going. If I go over two hours away I take a long gun. When we go on long trips, everyone gets the full personal B.O.B., as well as extra shelter. Packs are seasonal regional specific, but the basics:Food, Water, Shelter, First Aid, Signal, etc, are essential.
 
...guys as usual GREAT ADVISE!!!!

.... out with the Fuel Jerry Cans! and I'm modifying the pouch for the Benchmade Tactical Hook for installing on my seat belt.

Forgot to mentioned also there's always a small cannister of Dry Powder Flame Retardant on the driver side seat (mounted on the side).


Thanks guys again...

Bob
 
In the camper shell of my truck

shovel
machete
axe
hi lift jack with custom made extra large base
sleeping bag and wool blanket
BOB with clothes and MREs
8x10 green tarp
first aid kit
tool bag (too much to list)
100' rope
20 foot tow strap
5 gallons water
empty 5 gallon gas can
fire extinguisher
extra oil
anti freeze
extra fan belt (my truck has 1 belt)
extra hoses
light bulbs
fishing gear

probably alot of other things I forgot
 
Slappy ,I have, and no problem's . Keep one in every car and truck,as the Mrs.and driver's don't alway's pay attention to the fuel gauge:rolleyes:
 
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