Emergency Kit

EY

eyemgh

Senior Member
Joined
May 29, 2014
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312
I was wondering what you typically carry in your emergency kits. This can be a deep rabbit hole to prepare for every possibility. We have a good first aid kit. I bought a good 12V compressor (Viair 450) and a patch kit (safety seal Cap30) even though we have a full size spair in good shape.

We'll have good USFS maps for any place we go that's out of cell range and are both fit enough to walk 10+ miles if we had to.

I started wondering about communication for being out of cell range, a special jack, etc. I'm just not sure where to draw the line.

Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!
 
I carry some medical supplies, a couple of simple tools and a backpack large enough to carry water and necessities if I have to walk. I haven't a clue how to work on an internal combustion engine but I can change a tire. If I got a second flat I'd be walking.
 
craig333 said:
Plenty of tools, trauma kit, food and water but if shtf its time to break out the Inreach. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561269 (i have an older version).
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That partly what I'm wondering about. I reviewed all the sat based options back in the day when my son was skiing in avy prone territory and I worried about him. The problem back then with sat based stuff wasn't super reliable. If you wanted the ultimate in reliability you needed an ACR. It's one way, emergency only and the Calvary comes. It has to be hitting the fan hard enough that you want SNR to show up. It is pretty bulletproof though. Conflicted.
 
Really, it is the garden variety mishaps that will occur most often. Burns, cuts, bruises, sprains, twists, dysentery, colds, flue, headaches, broken tie downs, flats, stuck in sand or mud, fan belts, hoses, brakes, not enough water, not enough propane, too hot, too many bugs, no way to light your stove or fire, dead batteries, tears, drips, leaks, etc. Many folks are pointing out the need for worldwide emergency services, and when you need it you REALLY need it. But that is not common. It is good to consider what to do in an extreme event but when you do, don't overlook all the not quite extreme or just darn inconvenient things that can happen, and are much more likely to happen.
 
AWG_Pics said:
Really, it is the garden variety mishaps that will occur most often. Burns, cuts, bruises, sprains, twists, dysentery, colds, flue, headaches, broken tie downs, flats, stuck in sand or mud, fan belts, hoses, brakes, not enough water, not enough propane, too hot, too many bugs, no way to light your stove or fire, dead batteries, tears, drips, leaks, etc. Many folks are pointing out the need for worldwide emergency services, and when you need it you REALLY need it. But that is not common. It is good to consider what to do in an extreme event but when you do, don't overlook all the not quite extreme or just darn inconvenient things that can happen, and are much more likely to happen.
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Got the medical stuff covered. I've got tires covered. I've self adhering tape that'll seal a hose as long as it only rips a little.

Any other specific supplies you'd recommend?

Stuck in the mud makes me wonder if a winch (rather not), traction boards, etc.

Emergency belt? I guess I need to hit the Google.

Bugs? Solve that and you'd be my wife's hero!
 
Good points, the garden variety stuff is more likely to happen. What I like about the inreach is its two way communication. If I break a leg I can them know that and let them decide if a helicopter is necessary or ground transport will work. Or even worse. We had a landslide, multiple people injured trapped. One helicopter won't be enough. Unlikely but with an ACR all they know is you need help, not what kind.
 
eyemgh said:
Any other specific supplies you'd recommend?

Stuck in the mud makes me wonder if a winch (rather not), traction boards, etc.

Emergency belt? I guess I need to hit the Google.

Bugs? Solve that and you'd be my wife's hero!
Click to expand...
Mud - shovel, and something like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0784ZKX9V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Emergency tow rope, something like this https://www.amazon.com/DitchPig-448511-Kinetic-Vehicle-Recovery/dp/B01F39PC5K/ref=asc_df_B01F39PBWY/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309750303117&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15247452580020290889&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032935&hvtargid=pla-449308980169&ref=&adgrpid=64614610514&th=1

Bugs - something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P2D47Z9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and insect repellant

The list goes on and on...
 
The In Reach is great as it works just as well as an ACR for the true emergencies, but also works for the inconveniences - need a CV joint delivery, need spare fuel, gonna be a few days late but don't call the cavalry. The key thing is to have a reliable person who you can send those non-emergency messages to who will act appropriately.

We also use the tracking feature on our inReach (both for hiking and driving). This is fun as we now have a map of all our adventures, but we also have the assurance that if we ever had a truly cataclysmic event where we can't even push the SOS button, there is a record of where we were within the last 10 minutes, so they at least know where to find our bodies.

As for other items, a first aid kit is essential, but the training on how to use it is equally important. As AWG points out, the little stuff happens much more often than the big stuff, so either plan on restocking the first aid kit regularly or keep a second medicine kit that has the stuff you actually plan on using such as ibuprofen/bandaids/blister stuff.

Traction boards are probably the best 'unstuck' option, they are lighter and cheaper than a winch, and still work when there isn't a convenient tree (much of the time in the west).

Tools and spares are tricky as if you want to carry enough for every situation, it gets heavy quickly. I carry enough tools for the minor issues - a Robertson screw driver to tighten screws in the FWC a set of sockets in the JIS sizes only for the truck, a multimeter and a few electrical tools for a frayed/broken wire, but not a huge kit for major repairs, as I wouldn't have the parts anyway. A compressor and tire plug kit is also great - you will likely use the compressor to air down and for airbags anyway.
 
Generally speaking I carry more than I'll ever need in my many emergency kits-but I always say having is always better than not having when you need something! Well, as discussed here before, just replaced my old Spot2 with a Spot X. I carry all the usual getting "Unstuck Stuff" like handyman, jerk and pull ropes and heavy duty jack, come-along, shovels, axe and fire type and wood cutting tools! A good tool box(s) for fixing just about everything on the camper or truck. A couple of first aid kits that I update yearly-nothing worse than needing something and discovering it is out of date or will not stick to your skin when you need it. Several rolls of duck tape and. a couple of tarps. Lots of different types of ropes and a box of thing-a -ma -witch -a- mah -call-its, left over from old fix it kits!

Okay, some new additions this year; one of those $ stand alone battery starter kits; they don't take up much space and I just hook it up if my battery goes dead on me! I bought one of those prepackaged week long emergency food kits and a new type of water purification kit and some bottles of ready hour survival shot for that vitamin/mineral extra---still looking for a trailer to carry it all, so me and the dog have a place to sleep at night :p! Over the years you do learn though what is really needed, it just takes time, old age, and getting stuck allot before you do!

Smoke
 
My emergency supplies are with me whether I'm out wandering or just driving to the grocery store. Traveling in the Sierra's and foothills anything can happen any day of the year. You never know when you might have to hike out, spend an evening or two stuck somewhere or just helping someone out.

Some of the items stored in my truck full time are a two ton aluminum racing jack, cordless impact , 12 volt compressor , tire patch kit, jumper cables, tow strap, shovel, axe, pry bar, Silky saw, first aid kit, water, flares, duct tape, day pack, headlamps, old down jacket, and Snuggie insulated pants.

In my camper I keep a multi-meter, a couple of screwdrivers, wire stripper/crimper, fuses, wire, 1/4" nut driver and spare turnbuckle tie downs. Also, my old army survival manual is a good read while I'm lounging around.

I'm well supplied with maps and atlases plus my Garmin In Reach and Gaia on my Iphone.
 
In every vehicle we have there is a first aid kit that is geared towards a car accident. In our camper we carry the proverbial “kitchen sink” that has everything I know how to use. I strongly recommend taking something like the SOLO first aid course like these:

https://www.soloschools.com/training-information/

we have the InReach satellite device and have literally used it all over the world anytime we knew there was a possibility of being out of cell phone range. The also have the ability to buy into medical evacuation insurance so if you happen to have an accident not only do they coordinate the rescue they also are able to get you to an appropriate hospital even if you’re on the other side of the world.
Highly recommend!
 
smlobx said:
In every vehicle we have there is a first aid kit that is geared towards a car accident. In our camper we carry the proverbial “kitchen sink” that has everything I know how to use. I strongly recommend taking something like the SOLO first aid course like these:

https://www.soloschools.com/training-information/
we have the InReach satellite device and have literally used it all over the world anytime we knew there was a possibility of being out of cell phone range. The also have the ability to buy into medical evacuation insurance so if you happen to have an accident not only do they coordinate the rescue they also are able to get you to an appropriate hospital even if you’re on the other side of the world.
Highly recommend!
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I haven't taken a Wilderness First Responder course yet, but I might. I'm a doctor, so I've got a lot of that terrain on assessment, stabilization, CPR, etc. covered. Still, it never hurts to know more, especially since my specialty is pretty distal to that stuff.
 
What's your favorite Jack option? HiLift? Handyman? Other? I like the ARB, but it's $800!
 
eyemgh said:
I haven't taken a Wilderness First Responder course yet, but I might. I'm a doctor, so I've got a lot of that terrain on assessment, stabilization, CPR, etc. covered. Still, it never hurts to know more, especially since my specialty is pretty distal to that stuff.
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I am embarrassed to have brought up the physical health stuff in my 'common usual misshaps' post to you. Talk about bringing coals to Newcastle.

As far as jacks are concerned, I found I could make a bottle jack work under most circumstances. The one time I used a hi-lift jack I was young and stupid, and could easily have killed myself. So I just assume if I need a jack I will take my time and get the bottle jack, boards, braces and rocks properly arranged to make it all work. So far so good. And the hi-lift is pretty heavy -- weight is a constant concern on this site for good reason.
 
AWG_Pics said:
I am embarrassed to have brought up the physical health stuff in my 'common usual misshaps' post to you. Talk about bringing coals to Newcastle.
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No worries whatsoever! The reality is, unless you're an ER doc, and maybe even then, situational training is important. :)
 
The safe jack or similar is great and I'll choose it over a hi lift every time if, and its a big if, you can get under the vehicle. Unfortunately sometimes mud or snow or whatever doesn't give us that option. The last time I used my hi lift I was stuck in the snow. Maybe given enough time I could have eventually shoveled out enough get a jack under the truck. No doubt the hi lift can be dangerous but sometimes its the right tool for the job.
 
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