#149970 - 09/23/08 10:16 PM
Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
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Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
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I'm thinking about building kits for my folks for Christmas. This is partially a get home bag, partially break down bag. They carry real jumper cables, flares, triangle, real jack, and a real tire, but my mother only keeps a blanket and boots in her car and my dad doesn't add that much in his truck. *eye roll* They both have DeLorme map books in their vehicles.
For a carry all, I've got a pair of small Jansport school packs. I also have a pair of German-pattern mess tins that I would put in there for the carrying capacity and for snow melting/water boiling. The list, as many will notice, is based on Cody Lundin's, with a few modificications:
2x 1qt Nalgenes. I've got a bunch of wide mouth, 1 qt polycarbs, some unused. I'm thinking I might add a Geyout stainless if I've got the funds.
1x Olicamp/GSI cup. Chlorine dioxide tablets.
Lighter. Lacquered strike anywheres matches. Doans' mag bar, cut down, with striker. Ziplock of cotton balls. Tube of Neosporin. Small taper candles, double bagged.
Minimag with the Nite-Ize drop in, and two pairs of batteries. SAK. I've got a couple of Climbers that I'm not using. Pair of needle nose pliers, with wire cutter.
20' of wire 100' of paracord Duct tape (not on the bottles) Aluminum foil
Plastic whistle Mirror
Fleece blanket, but I'm thinking about upping it to wool. 2x space blankets Tarp (not sure what size) Poncho, and a spare
Brew kit (probably two tea bags, two pouches of hot chocolate, two pouches of cider, four coffee bags, 4 creamers- neither of them put sugar in their coffee)
What have I missed?
NOW, in my dad's defense, he was the one who thought the generator was a good idea, and he's the one that is looking into adding solar to the house so at the very least they can charge a battery backup for the water pump. He's also the one who buys two extra cords of wood every year. He's not totally out of it, he just doesn't EDC much. The thinest wallet in the family, and his keys.
_________________________
-IronRaven
When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.
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#149989 - 09/24/08 01:51 AM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: ironraven]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
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A good start. Consider;
Instructions for everything ; basic repairs, first aid, how to purify water, etc. Fire extinguisher food old cell phone, charger (still works for 911) First aid kit work gloves instant heat packs folding snow shovel candles for heat and light ( crack a window)
That help?
Teacher
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#149990 - 09/24/08 02:12 AM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Addict
Registered: 06/08/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Quebec City, Canada
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Try to keep it simple. We might be survival geeks, but most of our parents are ordinary people that might not have the motivation or knowledge to start a fire, for example. I know my mother wouldn't try to light a fire, even in a survival situation. Neither would my father bother brewing some tea with a small stove he's never tinkered with before. In other words, I would try to equip them with items that they are familiar with. I know what my mother would look for : CLOTHES. So... here goes : blankets, a candle lantern with matches/lighter, some Clif-type bars, small boxes of fruit juices, fleece hats and gloves, whistles, adhesive bandages, and some decent flashlights with lithium batteries (long shelf life, work in cold temps). Last march, there was a huge snowstorm in Quebec City (See video: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=5JbTqhOFBVY). Police cars were left overnight unattended on major highways because they were covered with snow! Dozens and dozens of people decided to leave their vehicles pretty much everywhere, right in the middle of major highways and on secondary roads... Everybody survived the ordeal, it was just an inconvenience. People helped each other out, some snowmobilers picked some people up and took them at their place to stay overnight, etc. My point is... don't skimp with the basics. Blankets, fleece hats, candle lantern, something to eat.
_________________________
----- "The only easy day was yesterday."
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#150017 - 09/24/08 02:37 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: Rodion]
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Member
Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 199
Loc: W. Texas
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Since you live in Vermont, this may be obvious and therefore not included on your list but do they have snow scrapers, tire chains or lock de-icers or whatever else people in snow-bound states use to keep their car driving in blizzards?
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-- David.
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#150021 - 09/24/08 04:03 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: Yuccahead]
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Addict
Registered: 01/04/06
Posts: 586
Loc: 20mi east of San Diego
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If they are where there is adequate water available I think I would change out one to the Nalgene bottles for a filter type bottle, that way they just need to fill that bottle and squirt it into the Nalgene for filtered water.And I might also add a small alcohol stove or a Esbit stove. The alcohol stove would be better if used inside a stranded car.
_________________________
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved
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#150058 - 09/24/08 10:32 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: ironraven]
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Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
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Thanks guys.
Cold weather gear- covered. They dress for the weather, and adding clothing would make these quite a bit bigger. That, and I made a deal with my folks when I was 14- they don't give me clothes for the holidays, and I won't retaliate. :P
Scrapers and the like- covered. Tire chains for a Ranger don't do much, and for my mother's Metro it would be probably be counter productive. :P
Work gloves and hot hands, good idea.
I was thinking about filter bottle, but there is a cost issue. There are also questions about filters being left in a car at 40 below- most of them really don't like it. If I was to do something like that, I'd probably go with one of the McNetts.
I should point out the plan. My mother drives 14 miles from my folks house to the hospital, where she is the librarian and PR person, along with being part of their emergency committee. My dad drives 35 miles to where he works, which is about 3 miles from his brother's place or four from my brother's place. So these aren't three days packs, these are off the road on the side of the interstate kind of kits with the option of walking <15 miles to a known place to hole up.
_________________________
-IronRaven
When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.
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#150072 - 09/25/08 12:11 AM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: ironraven]
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Journeyman
Registered: 05/09/06
Posts: 80
Loc: Nashville,TN USA
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Also you may want to consider: A small folding saw to clear fallen limbs from the road A MPI All Weather blanket as additional shelter or small tarp, also works as a signaling device Cyalume light sticks ( I know Doug hates them and they don't do well in cold temperatures, but they couldn't hurt and are cheap) First Aid kit, as mentioned Lithium batteries for improved cold weather performance and shelf life Snacks that travel well Hand sanitizer/ body wipes
Just my thoughts. Mike LifeView Outdoors
_________________________
Mike LifeView Outdoors
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#150149 - 09/26/08 02:52 AM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: lifeview]
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Old Hand
Registered: 02/08/08
Posts: 924
Loc: Toledo Ohio
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All the above Plus an AAA Membership.
If they are not survival geeks, they will be reaching for a phone. AAA auto membership can get them out of a lot of minor problems before they turn bad. And it gives them a great piece of mind knowing someone will come help with even a flat tire or a dead battery on a rainy, cold night.
_________________________
You can run, but you'll only die tired.
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#150192 - 09/26/08 09:11 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: BobS]
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Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
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They both have AAA. My mother has a TracFone that spends half it's life without active minutes, my dad doesn't bother. *rolls eyes* I, of all people, me, the guy who hates cell phones as much as he hates cockroaches, has finally broken down and bought one of the things.
I won't buy them phones.
_________________________
-IronRaven
When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.
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#150203 - 09/26/08 11:17 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: ironraven]
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Old Hand
Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1183
Loc: Channeled Scablands
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Ditto on the shovel. It can be the only thing that gets you home in snow or mud season.
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#150656 - 10/01/08 11:42 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: clearwater]
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Journeyman
Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 70
Loc: Chesapeake Beach, MD
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This is just off the top of my head, but presumably your parents are older people with set ways. Buying them a bunch of stuff that they've never seen before just means when they need it, they won't think to use it.
The best thing you can add to your list is sitting down with them for a half-hour to an hour, and going over the kit, talking about when they might need it, letting them put their hands on, and getting feedback from them. OK, so it won't be a surprise, but it will be more useful for them.
It's a bit pricey, but I recommend throwing in a JetBoil for a stove, if you walk them through using it first. Dead easy to use and they might find themselves using it in non-emergency situations too.
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#150718 - 10/02/08 02:48 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: BobS]
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Journeyman
Registered: 03/04/06
Posts: 74
Loc: Texas
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Add a couple cans of Fix-A-Flat. That is something simple that has got me out of changing flats on the side of the road many times. It's a big job for older people to change a tire. Many do not have the strength to do it. Not being stranded is the best way to be safe.
Also, I have added a safety vest to each of my vehicles. If I have to change a tire, or walk out, it will help me to be seen.
David Enoch
Edited by DavidEnoch (10/02/08 02:48 PM)
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#150751 - 10/02/08 09:27 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: Paul810]
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Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
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That isn't a horrible idea. A small SAK or multi.
_________________________
-IronRaven
When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.
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#150754 - 10/02/08 09:42 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: ironraven]
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Stranger
Registered: 12/02/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Missouri
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I added a Vic Mini Champ to my keyring. It's okay for survival(relative to its size) but excels for everyday tasks. I especially like the pen, it seems that gets more use than anything else. The whole thing is not much thicker than the 'classic' model with the same outline.
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#151488 - 10/09/08 11:33 PM
Re: Proposed kit list, am I missing anything?
[Re: ]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 12/16/06
Posts: 203
Loc: somewhere out there...
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I prefer the Terralux inserts for mini-mags over the Nite Ize. They cost a lot more, but you get better light.
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...got YAK???
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