I have a girlfriend who I am packing an emergency kit for her car. She is not into survival thinking and is an indoor person. She accepts something can happen on the road or elsewhere, she is close to her vehicle nearly all of the time. I will eventually get her to carry a PSK or urban EDC kit. But she could get stuck somewhere out on the highway in the middle of nowhere or of course the normal "anything could happen."

Can I get suggestions on a kit to keep in her car in case of anything happening? I am trying to build one and tailor it to her and train her on what she doesn't know how to use. I need suggestions and outright "NASTY" criticisms on what to add and what to omit. No offenses taken, I am willing to learn. My contents gathered so far:

(She has a Spyderco Ladybug for EDC)
*A good old fashioned noggin knocker carved from white maple. (My attention-getter when drug pushers are knocking on the door)
*A Gerber multitool
*matches in orange waterproof matchcase
*PJ soaked cotton balls in orange waterproof matchcase
*She has a real unquestionably-good FAK, so that needs no further debate (it would waste our time)
*Warm Blanket
*Space blanket
*Pealess whistle w/ lanyard (not loud enuff - am getting her a Fox 40)
*10 ft of mason string
*Coughlan's signal mirror (will get a better one - this can break)
*several feet of orange 2" wide duct tape
*button compass
*small can opener similar to P-52 but with more leverage
*jumper cables
*water
*food
*extra oil, fluids etc. for car
*lifehammer
*60g of gatorade powder
*4 large safety pins
*long-burning survival candle
*55 gal drum liner
*she keeps warm jacket in the car
*emergency poncho

PICK IT APART AND ENJOY!

Since it's a car kit you should have plenty of space. I would ditch the button compass in favor of a full size Silva or similar model. Add a handsaw and axe for firewood, and consider tire chains if the weather calls for it. A good heavy-duty tow strap as well if not already part of the tool kit. Several Bic lighters and a couple of cans of Sterno could prove useful. I don't know how handy she is but you should include a spare fan belt(s). Even if she isn't capable, somebody who stops might be. Oh, and add a bottle of Potable Aqua or Micropur tablets, a good flashlight or two, and some hiking shoes/boots.

Simon, I didn't see a reflective safety vest on that list. Be a pity to get out of the car and get run down. Makes a damned usefull marker panel as well.

Simon,

You're off to a great start. I suggest adding a pair of work gloves. These will come in handy for everything from changing a tire to building a shelter. Deerskin or pigskin gloves are probably the best for comfort and dexterity. I also suggest a small tarp and 50' of parachute cord for making shelter. Finally, I'd throw in a few high-calorie energy bars.

Excellent start on the kit, not much I can add considering the other suggestions already made, like lighters and such. But I did notice your list was short on tools...does she have anything for repairs?

I don't know if her car is already equipped with these or not, but changing a tire is a whole lot easier if you have a full-size jack instead of the dinky bottle jack normally supplied. A 4-way lug wrench also allows for a lot more torque to get stuck nuts loose.

I saw jumper cables in the list, make sure she has good ones, not the cheapy thin ones. 12 or 10 gauge should be minimum.

Also a basic toolkit seems to be missing. You don't need anything fancy, just common screwdrivers, small socket set, pliers, stuff like that.

EDIT: Noticed the Gerber multitool, doh! Adding a socket set might still be useful, hard to remove bolts with pliers.

And going along with an earlier posters comment on visibility, try to get some flares or other means of making sure her vehicle is clearly visible at night. Hazard lights are fine, but eventually the battery may run out.

Well, anything else we can change or add?

So Far:

*Spyderco Ladybug for EDC
*A Gerber multitool
*lifehammer
*hand axe
*folding wood saw
*jumper cables (10 or 12 ga.)
*socket set
*crescent wrench
*extra oil, fluids etc. for car
*Tow strap
*tire chains
*fan belt
*white maple noggin knocker

*Bic lighters
*matches in orange waterproof matchcase
*PJ soaked cotton balls in orange waterproof matchcase
*Sterno cans w/ emergency stove


*She has a real unquestionably-good FAK, so that needs no further debate (it would waste our time)
*4 large safety pins

*long-burning survival candle
*Warm Blanket
*Space blanket
*55 gal drum liner
*she keeps warm jacket in the car
*emergency poncho
*10 ft of mason string
*Leather work gloves
*Hiking Boots


*Reflective vest
*Pealess whistle w/ lanyard (not loud enuff - am getting her a Fox 40)
*Coughlan's signal mirror (will get a better one - this can break)
*several feet of orange 2" wide duct tape
*50 ft of orange 550 paracord
* small bright colored tarp
*Flashlight - got two - one is a spotlight
*chemical stick lights
*road flares


*brew kit/ mess kit
*small can opener similar to P-52 but with more leverage
*water
*food: energy bars
*60g of gatorade powder
*micropur tablets

I would forget the "noggin knocker" and go with a pistol ( 357 wheelgun) as well as a TN CC permit, or at least a Surefire with 60+ lumens and pepper spray.

IMO, 99% of females with a club for defense will take one clumsy swing, miss, and have it taken away by their attacker.

Maybe an FRS/GMRS radio along with some lithium batteries for long term storage. That way she can still summon help even if stuck in a no-cellphone area.

My car kits (mine or those I prepare for female friends), include heavy duty gloves AND disposable latex gloves usefull for opening the lid or checking air pressure or simply filling
the tank.
And if you insist on soiling your hands, even with gloves, I always add a bottle of liquid soap (the kind for mechanics...), a roll of paper towel and a microfiber towel or an emergency compact towel (recently discussed in another thread).

"A good old fashioned noggin knocker carved from white maple."

Some municipalities consider this a weapon and will take you to jail for a discussion at the least. YMMV. A 3 D-cell Maglite works as well for that purpose and doesn't raise any eyebrows. What kind of warm blanket do you have?