<img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> need help trying to build a WSK for my wife. 65 years old. No survival training, plan to put it in a fanny pack. already have a bag in the trunk of her car with water and some other equipment in it shoes,sweat shirt, pants and gloves. this would be in addition to that. I am going to add an empty backpack in the bag that is in the trunk just in case she has to abbandon the car. compass,and things that require some type of technical knowlage would be wasted on her, not to say she is stupid, she is just not into PROBLEMS. She is a city girl and depends on the PD and the Fire Department.

Some starters might be:
Rain gear (poncho or umberella)
FAK
Some cash
Phone card
Emergency Numbers
Duct Tape
Flashlight
Lighter
SAK or Multitool (with scissors and file - for problem nails)
Needle and thread
Water
Sun Block
Something to eat (No idea what would work for your wife - cliff bar? Pwer bar?)
Gloves
Dust mask or bandana (or both)
Extra glasses if needed
whistle

Thanks Wolf good start

For the Fanny Pack:
Knife
Small Multi-tool like Squirt
Mini Bic
Mini tweezers
Small FAK (some minor meds, bandages, antiseptic, moleskin etc.)
Signal Mirror
Whistle
Survival Instructions - tuned to her situation?
Pen/Pencil & Waterproof Paper
Zip Log Bag
Gerber Milk Bag
cheap poncho
Contractor Garbage Bag
Photon or similar LED light
Hand-held full-range flashlight
8-12oz bottle of water
Few pieces of hard candy
granola bar
waterproof matches/striker in waterproof tube.
several feet of duct tape
Nice hank of paracord braided
Safety Pins
sewing needles and several feet of spiderwire or similar threading.

Just don't put anything she's unfamiliar with or probably won't use.

A HAT that she would wear, for sun and for rain. A hat with a hoodless poncho gives more freedom of movement and a wider field of vision.

A CELLPHONE, if she doesn't carry one already. If she's got one, a extra recharged battery. If she doesn't have one, get one of those cheap $20 TracPhones and the cheapest card. Keep the instructions with the phone.

If she might actually have to build a fire for some reason, some Coughlan's FIRESTARTER STICKS -- cut the top off and leave in the wrapper, put in a small ziplock bag.

At least one extra pair of good SOCKS.

Medic-Alert TAG if she needs one and doesn't already have one.

A warm blanket in case she has to stay with the car overnight. If the car won't run, she can't run the heater.

Pair of RUBBER GLOVES for handling wet or dirty or yucky stuff.

If there is any chance she would use them, common FLUIDS FOR THE CAR: oil, transmission fluid, 50/50 mix of coolant & water. If she's not really used to them, but might use them if she had to, tie on some laminated hang-tags with large-print typed instructions: what it's for, how & where to add it, a cheap plastic funnel in a bright color (in a ziplock bag, to which it could be returned) tips like letting the engine cool or warnings not to do something.

Maybe even an 8x11" LAMINATED CARD with very basic what-to-do automotive info on it: low oil light on, white smoke of transmission leak, overheated radiator, how to change a flat tire (a floor jack is far easier to use than a hydraulic jack), how to jump-start the car if someone stops who doesn't know how to do it, either. Very basic, very simple. I would type it in black on bright yellow cardstock (large print for poor light) & pay $2 to have it laminated. Use both sides.

For use around the car: one of those LANTERN FLASHLIGHTS, with the 4" wide reflector and the big blocky battery. Putz around with the little flashlights all you want, but when I'm stuck in the dark on the road, I WANT LIGHT! They're dirt cheap at WM, about $6 with the battery, & the battery lasts quite a long time, and the light is strong and extremely visible from quite a distance.

Local MAPS.

Sue

Thanks Susan, It's nice to get a view from the otherside.

I would suggest a couple of cans of Sterno. Simple to use: crack a window, pop the top, light. You have instant heat. The large can burns for 3 hours. Makes an awesome firestarter too.

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