I went to a church meeting years ago where a woman was talking about what to put in an emergency car kit. I tend to believe this woman knows more about what is necessary then most, she survived a week trapped in her car in a blizzard. When she was found, her rescuer admitted they were no longer looking for a live person. She talked about what she had that helped her survive and what she wishedshe had that could have made a difference. So here is a list of things she keeps in each and every vehicle she and her family owns:
FIRST AID (very basic)
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BANDAID 25 ct $2.79
SOAP $1.29
ASPRIN 36 ct $3.99
MATCHES (WATERPROOF) $0.65
POCKET KNIFE OR UTILITY $1.65
FLASHLIGHT AND BATTERIES $1.76
SAFETY PIN $0.35
NEEDLE, THREAD AND BUTTON $2.00
TOILET PAPER 4 pack $1.89
SOLAR BLANKET (84x52) $1.99
HANDWARMERS 2 pack $2.31
RAIN PONCHO $1.39
FOOD SEALED
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HARD CANDY $1.79
CRACKERS $2.50
JERKY 8 pack $3.99
GRANOLA BARS 10 pack $2.89
CANS WITH POP TOP 12 pack $2.50
WATER BAGS 2 gallon $3.85
CANDLE 5 pack $2.31
GARBAGE BAGS 30 pack $2.29
DRY SOCKS 5 pack $4.99
FOOD STORAGE BAGS 75 count $2.29
POSSIBLE ADD-INS
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JUMPER CABLES $7.70
DUCT TAPE $1.65
12 HOUR LIGHT STICKS $1.99
ICE PACK $0.80
METAL WHISTLE $0.99
TOW ROPE $ 1.65
MOST OF THESE PRICES WERE FOUND AT IPREPARE.COM
(Gracie in: this was also 7 years ago so prices have most likely changed, but I thought they still gave a rough idea.)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
5 comments:
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I keep signal smokes, a maritime flare gun with four flares, a compass, and a "sports radio" in the bag that I transfer between vehicles as I use them. I also have a purpose made signal mirror in the bag.
ReplyDeleteJumper cables as a possible add-on!? That should be mandatory.
ReplyDeleteI would upgrade the jack and lug wrench as a matter of course. The equipment that comes with almost any car or light truck is barely adequate on a flat, paved surface and won't cut it on uneven or soft ground.
I also throw in a piece of 2x10 lumber to go under the jack if I'm on soft ground or need a little extra height.
I would recommend you spend more than $1.76 on a flashlight and batteries.
The same goes for the pocket/utility knife. Really, $5 is a pretty low end utility knife these days.
I'd put a Leatherman type tool on the list or at least a pair of pliers and a flat and phillips screwdriver.
I keep a complete spare set of clothes including a hat and leather work gloves in the vehicle, too. Dry socks are nice but dry undies may be even better.
Wow, you guys have some great add-ons! See, this is why we need male input!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the prices go, these are at least 7 years old. I am sure things will be more expensive now.
Let me see. I suggest getting a legit first aid kit. You can get a good basic one for ten bucks at Walmart that will deal with fairly serious injuries. Extra band aids are good especially for those with kids. I concur with Bitmap that jumper cables are mandatory. You probably will never need that fire starting kit but your car battery will die at some point. Again as bitmap noted a piece of wood, a good knife and a leatherman are wise.
ReplyDeleteAdd an extra loaded mag for your pistol (I think it was a a .40)and 50 or 100 rounds of ammo in a zip lock bag. Won't cost you anything except the 15 cents for the bag because you should have that stuff anyway.
Also throw in a heavy blanket or a sleeping bag for the winter.
every car kit should include a good military style folding shovel.(entrenching tool) military surplus ones are best, the cheapies will let you down. you should have a tire guage in each car, and use them once in a while, so you know your tires aren't under inflated. (unless you air them down on purpose to get yourself through mud or sand. in that case no softer than 15 psi)
ReplyDeleteif you use cheapie jumper cables the whole jump start process takes longer. the heaviest gauge (and longest) set you can find work the best. you need to be sure they can make good contact with your cars particular battery style. (sometimes it's difficult to make good contact on GM side terminal batteries, for example) practice the jump start drill under good conditions before you need to do it for real.