[OT] Preps: Coffee Can Kit for the car?

[chairborne commando]

I'm wondering what items everyone carries for a car-based emergency kit. I'm not talking about a BOB or a tool box. I'm interested in a kit that would cover those smaller, annoying emergencies-like a double flat 20 miles from anywhere (or in the middle of the freeway) at 11 P.M. at night-and its starting to snow. or how about a critical hose coming loose. Or Bad Ronald, your nephew, needs to "go" NOW! and you're in the middle of a massive gridlock. Suppose Sweet Petunia, your niece, manages to slice open her thumb and is screaming-and getting sick at the same time.

Maybe these sorts of problems don't occur to everyone else, but I am increasingly intrigued by the idea of a small, readily accesible "insurance policy"

 

[city]

Depending on the size of the can, flashlite,
$5 bill, matches, large bandaids, rain poncho
that doubles for a tarp to lay on under your car as you wrench away, assort. hose clamps,
napkins, multi-screwdriver,electrical tape,
heavy guage wire,pen,paper,and a tow card.

 

[Jesse]

Coffee can! Our "survival" BOB for the "Monster Truck" is housed in an oversized laundry bag. 'Cept for the water which is in the usual blue 5 gallon container.

We have sleeping bags, hats, scarfs, gloves etc. Hand warmers, first aid kit, space blankets, 3 days of food, (trail mix and energy bars and like that) and 5 gallons of water. Compass, plastic oxygen feed tube for when we get buried under snow, several of those snap in two, 12 hour apiece light stick thingies, 3 Bibles, "Wet Ones" (wash cloths) for personal hygiene, 6 bic lighters, flashlights, 3 plastic cups, spoons, crossword puzzles and a portable chess game. Sealable bucket for human waste if snow buried. T.P.

I'm positive I've forgotten a few things we have in there, - will go and inventory tomorrow (if I'm spared). Thanks for the reminder!

We are just about to install a heavy duty winch to pull ourselves (and others)out of ditches and other unexpected things, and also a GOOD CB radio. Cell phones and pagers and such don't work up where we live nor for hours before you reach our place, but the CB will work on emergency rescue channels at least. We feel we can't put off getting one any longer.

I guess the more out of the way one is, the more it is necessary to be prepared to be stranded summer or winter, - especially in the mountains and at high altitude. A coffee can would be nice, but...

Jesse.

 

[RKBA]

"Cell phones and pagers and such don't work up where we live nor for hours before you reach our place"

I didn't realize such places still existed, at least where electricity and water are available. That sounds ideal Jesse, and I certainly envy you your location, especially if it's in the mountains. That's the kind of place I will be looking for if/when I retire.

 

[onengrace]

Coffee can size....well, let me see.

I always feel that stress and fear can overtake a family...so in the equivilant of a coffee can size I keep a plastic baggie full of stuff like Xanax in a labelled prescription bottle...just a couple because fear/anxiety can paralyze you or your kids if you are stranded and or injured....some kind of pain killer (tylenol etc)..some small amount of antibiotic ointment and pills, space blanket, salt (what do you think is in that plastic IV bag in the hospital for shock and dehydration), wet ones, some very small tools (miniture size) a tiny twist to turn on maglight, a box cutter (use the handle part to smash the car window if needed), sweezers, tooth picks (you can use these for other things besides picking your teeth like getting little glass splinters out of your skin) a tiny army can opener, a scraper, a small knife and so on. You might say what the heck is all this stuff good for....well, this is the kind of stuff that could be used for multiple purposes but is usually to small and gets lost in the bigger supply bag so I dump it all into one bag and put it in the storage compartment of my Jimmy where I rest my arm. Suppose you wreck the vehicle or roll it over and the window gets stuck...your only exit out of the vehicle...you might be able to force it open if you can wedge something in it and have a good enough grip.
Think small, really small...go to the hardware store not the mega home center...you know...if you can find one in the area like an old time sure enough hardware store, walk around thinking small and you will be surprised what imaginative creative uses you can find for small items. Plus they take up little room. You can actually buy small plastice bags of water that hold probably a pint of water. Don't forget all the storage room available under each seat for small stuff like this....and or the side panals of the doors like in my Jimmy...great place to keep small stuff. In this case being small mind is an asset.

 

[Live Oak]

I use surplus ammo cans painted bright yellow.

Contents tends to vary but generally mine will always have at least these:

Small first aid kit to include analgesics, anti-histamines, antacids, motion sickness meds (generally diphenhydramine which also passes for an anti-histamine), topical antibiotic and burn ointment.

Spare ammunition and extra magazines

Field glasses

Moleskin

Small radio

Extra batteries (fits radio and my MiniMag)

Paperback novel (in case of being stuck waiting)

Hat

Spare pair of thick socks

Water purification

That's all I can recall off the top of my head. I'll have to open the can and check out the rest.

I also have a AAA+ membership (highly recommended), telephone cards, and cell phone.

={(Oak)-