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I'm going to buy a specific bag to leave in the car for emergencies. I see the necessity of it after hubby got stranded for 6 hours. Luckily, I had put a blanket in the car and there are flashlights at every door. Thank God the kids weren't with him!

I already have flashlights, basic medical kit, tools, & blanket.

Thank you for your help.

In Texas.. Water. Jumper cables.

Tow rope or chain, food, water, bag of sand or cat litter. Maybe some flares so you don't get run over at night.

I pulled a few people out of ditches these last few days and if I didn't carry a chain I couldn't have helped them.

CHLLady wrote:I'm going to buy a specific bag to leave in the car for emergencies. I see the necessity of it after hubby got stranded for 6 hours. Luckily, I had put a blanket in the car and there are flashlights at every door. Thank God the kids weren't with him!

I already have flashlights, basic medical kit, tools, & blanket.

Thank you for your help.

Blankets are good for the winter time. What about some mosquito netting/mesh and duct tape for the summer?
Some water and food and paper towels are good too. And don't forget the P-38 can opener.

I'd toss in a car charger if you don't already have one that stays in the car and I'd also throw in some toilet paper. As has already been suggested water is the best thing to have stored in your car. I also keep a few protein bars in my car because they take forever to go bad and store small.

CoffeeNut wrote:I'd toss in a car charger if you don't already have one that stays in the car and I'd also throw in some toilet paper. As has already been suggested water is the best thing to have stored in your car. I also keep a few protein bars in my car because they take forever to go bad and store small.

4X if women are involved.

right now, an extra sweat-shirt for each member of the family (not something they will miss, additional warmth if stuck)....when we lived in CO and in Northern CA I kept a full extra set of clothes, so that if stuck we could double layer if ness. There had been a young couple lost in the snow and their weekend bag of clothes had kept them warm. After that I kept a couple of blankets and a bag of clothes in the car with weather appropriate clothes in the trunk....it's come in handy often, esp when the kids were young, but had outgrown the diaper bag

A knife. Batteries. A phone charger that uses said batteries. A lighter.

If the strandee is often traveling off-road, or on very lightly traveled roads, a flare gun plus several flares, plus if licensed to do so, either a spare ham radio or GMRS walkie-talkie and a hand-held GPS, a compass, and a fire-starting kit, and a whistle.

If you saw the news about the couple stranded in below zero weather in Nevada for a couple of days with 3 (originally said it was 4) under six-year-olds and a ten-year old, they had food and water, and burned their spare tire for warmth after their 4-wheel drive vehicle turned over. They also mentioned that they heard whistles and search planes... The flares might have gotten them found a day earlier.

Just had this talk with the wife who relayed the story to me. Changing how we're packing for our upcoming ski trip.

I bought a pretty cool one at Dicks for blackfriday. A $59 back for 20 bucks. Supposedly a 3 day supply of grub, water, supplies, ect in a small back pack.

Thank you for your excellent suggestions! My purchase list just got larger. Lol.

I was able to get a few things today. Here is what I have so far.

4 mre's. need 1 more (I will put them in their own small bag in the summer.)
8x10 tarp
Siphon kit
Duct tape
1 emergency blanket (bought the last one they had. I think others have the same idea.)
Bottled water
4 7 hour warmer pads
Antibacterial wipes

I do have to be careful what I pack because we go on base often. Thank you for the great suggestions. I have them added to my list.

I usually geep a 2.5 Gallon jug of potable water (Can be used as coolant or drink), basic tool set (I usually keep more than a basic kit), first aid kit (minor trauma), duct tape, Jumper Cables, Tow strap (No hooks), Air Compressor (Deflate tires to get better traction, reinflate when done), old cell phone w/ battery removed (Put battery in and instant 911 phone), full size spare, space/emergency blanket, thermal sleeping bag, pancho, hand held GPS, Shovel, fire extinguishers, ear plugs, Safety Glasses, there are other items that can vary depending on where I go or who I go with. If I take my oldest nephew somewhere there is a bottle of Dr Pepper, a bag of M&Ms, a glucometer, and other diabetic supplies that can be used under West Texas conditions. If I go to the range I upgrade the trama kit, add ear muffs, shooting glasses, ect. in case someone shows up uninvited.

You cant put everything you might need for every situation in any vehicle. You pretty much need to tailor it to the specific possibilities that are most likely. Here in Texas one blanket should do fine for how cold it might get. Anything else would be a waste. Tools only do you good if you can use them so base your "tool kit" off your abilities. First aid, water, and a little bit of food should be more than enough unless you go to some very out of the way places. If you do then just add on. MRE's are a bit bulky for a emergency pack situation IMO. A couple of power bars and maybe some trail mix or what have you should keep you going until the next day without filling up the car. Don't forget the number one most important thing to stash. MONEY. It's rare that anyone gets too far away from someone anymore, especially when we are just doing our day to day living. Some money stashed under the carpet may turn a ordeal into an annoyance.