Something in the water
The whole survival/emergency kick hits the blogosphere (usually the gun blogs) about once every few months. This time, there’s a new twist in that it’s from Knoxviews and it’s about a vehicle emergency kit. Well, I’m prepared for stuff generally so here’s what I keep in the ride:
2 flashlights (I could just carry extra batteries but if it’s an emergency, I don’t want to bother changing them)
jumper cables
gloves
toboggan
Firearm
3 to 4 magazines for the firearm, depending on which one it is
Thermal blanket (the kind that wraps up in a small pack)
A Gerber multi-tool
Jacket/coat
An easily accessible knife that has serrated edges (it’s only purpose is to cut seat-belts in the event I am stuck)
Bungee chords
Flares
First aid kit
A towel
Tire gauge
Tape
Scraper
Pen and paper
I don’t keep any food in there but it’s probably not a bad idea. Well, other than the no less than 400 Cheerios, Goldfish, and other assorted snacks Junior has dropped on the seats. Could probably live off that for a day or two.
Also, read this at Edmund’s. It gave me some ideas, such as Fix-a-flat, a bag to put this stuff in since it’s all in my console/glove box, water, food, help sign, and I need to update my first aid kit.
Update: And my new phone has a GPS in it.
Update 2: And make sure you read the comments over at Knoxviews.
December 7th, 2006 at 10:58 am
My old pair of boots and some still decent, yet slightly worn out clothes, wool socks, hat and old coat. This is all mostly so I have practical clothes if I get stuck somewhere in weather wearing office wear. Poncho too.
Time to put the full-size shovel in the car and take out the e-tool. It’s a square nose one that won’t bend like a aluminum snow shovel might. Perfect for digging ruts in the snow.
Jumper cables, plug kit, valve stem tool, and hand air pump. 10, 12, 14, 17, 19 mm wrenches and sockets, auto fluids. This reminds me that I need to get a 18 inch piece of 2×6 to place under the jack when it’s in the mud. A wheel chock too.
Emergency water only, although I’m close to work, and home has a grab-and-go Katrina Kit there.
December 7th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
I have for the past several years carried or kept a kit in my trunk of my vehicle. I recommend everybody to have some level of prepardness. something is better than nothing.
December 7th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
I’d recommend adding duct tape and zip ties (very handy for busted hoses amoung other things) and pick up a couple of the metallic survival blankets ($1.50 at walmart) for winter travel and signaling (they reflect sunlight extremely well). A couple of cans of soup per person and a few cans of sterno with a sterno folding stove can be found for around $5.00. Army survival manuals are small and can be kept in glove box along with map of area your traveling and a compass. Snow blindness can occur alarmingly quick in winter so I’d also recommend snow goggles or at the very least, a dark pair of sunglasses. None of these items are expensive and in their entirety can be purchased for around $20-30
December 7th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
All you really need is the towel.
December 7th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I got nuthin’. I drive around Ktown 7 days a week. I don’t anticipate being stranded in sub zero weather on I-40 or Kingston Pike. Really don’t see the need unless I’m driving cross country. The serrated knife/window punch is a good idea though.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:01 am
[…] OK, so Uncle is talking about emergency car kits again, (earlier, here too), and Jacqueline Passey is complaining talking about no electricity and nearly running out of gas, and I just can’t take it any more. […]