One item I forgot is a reflective safety vest like construction workers wear just for the reflectivity at night. Also, a backup ice scraper for the windows.
Ironically, I have the emergency kit but no ice scraper or snow brush in the car. Still in storage somewhere so I wind up with a credit card or my sleeve. Go figure.
Another idea for a bathroom is a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket with a screw-off lid (sold exclusively through Home Depot I believe). The lid is comfortable enough to get the job done and keep a dozen or so 8 gallon trash bags to line the bucket. And for some privacy, utilize a disposable orange poncho (that doubles as a space blanket). You can squat with the poncho on… like your skirt idea, just easier. And I’m all for easy when dropping a deuce.
Maybe a good folding wood burning stove...a small one like for backpacking....a way to boil water or make a cup of coffee or cook a dehydrated meal....and you can even keep a bag of wood stove pellets with it cuz they will absolutely work in a wood burning folding stove
Some interesting additions to the typical kit. Nice job To get a tubule mesh filter to last below freezing, back flush with air to clear the fibers of water that might expand from freezing. Then give the filter a good shake and store sideways so any residual doesn't block the fibers. It will freeze as frost, not an ice dam protecting the fibers. If it's -35F out there, filter next to your body. That's pretty dmn cold for any water filter. Coffee filters for snow/ice is a stellar idea! SOOoo going to do that! BOREDOM: coloring book and crayons, paperback, plastic playing cards, word puzzle book, maps, mp3 with earphones dedicated to the bag. BATHROOM: figure it out, A reflective blanket 'skirt' and a cat hole spade might come in handy in front of a line of vehicles with their kids watching you squat in the center island. TP and a plastic bag. If it's paper towels or newsprint, dump in fast food trash on long distance trip, don't flush (obviously). And buy something while you're there to thank them because you know what you did. :D Bear in mind that if you car is impounded for any reason ... say towed by highway crew after abandoned when you decide to hike out (one story was 35 HOURS traffic pileup) .... the impound will steal from your car and trunk, so pack out with your valuable gear when you go. If you're stranded in a snow storm and your lone vehicle won't start on the shoulder, forcing you to leave, CALL 911 to notify road crew where your car is disabled to avoid the snow plow taking out your vehicle because they can't see it. No guarantee, but at least you tried. A nylon dry bag curls up to a tube but can carry water back to your vehicle when needed - from fast food or a stream. Pack two bags because walking back balanced is easier than water in just one hand. Luci light or its knock off charges flat on the dashboard even in low light and lasts long depending on intensity you're using. Microcleats are fine for boots on icy pavement, they run about $20 for a pair, they're relatively lightweight and come in their own ditty bag, and if there's a passenger you can split them up between you. You don't need heavy duty cleats just for an emergency kit. I'm medical so I also bring face masks, cpr masks, tourniquet because I know how to use it, and limited bandages, and particularly a stretch roll type, and tylenol/aspirin/ibuprophen. I look for cars exclusively with elderly because I know they'll never be able to pack out, and are particularly vulnerable, and people who look freaked out to calm them down with some reassuring chatting.
That's EXACTLY why I keep a brand new untouched water filter in my car kit.... just for that reason...along with a titanium single wall water bottle.... not only can you drink from it...and it'll hold water but you can heat up water and pour it in it and keep it close to your body and it'll actually keep you warm all night!
a stack of cardboard boxes in the trunk also, acts as insulation when stranded, cover the windows inside and under you to stay warmer as you lose a ton of heat through the glass and the cold radiates through fast. You can trim the cardboard to fit beforehand and have ready to cover each window or cut to fit as needed but it helps especially overnights and heating with a candle. Keep a hatchet in the car, if there are trees nearby you can build a small fire to warm up to. There are other videos of survival with a candle and heavy blanket with solar blanket draped over yourself to stay warm.... always be prepared for the worst.
That roll of toilet paper has the largest cardboard diameter I have ever seen! I have never even considered a lot of those things because I'm in Texas. When it's icy (or even less common, snowy), I just stay home.
Tylenol and ibuprofen are absolutely worth keeping in your car....along with a good quality first aid kit... we often think about us.... but sometimes it's a stranger or a friend or someone like that that needs help...... think about all possibilities
And you should ABSOLUTELY keep a bag of survival gear in your car... not only in the winter but all year long.... you just never know what's going to happen......a couple good knives, a saw, a small axe and def some good recovery gear.....
One item I forgot is a reflective safety vest like construction workers wear just for the reflectivity at night. Also, a backup ice scraper for the windows.
Here in Chile, by law, you have to have a reflective vest in your car.
Ironically, I have the emergency kit but no ice scraper or snow brush in the car. Still in storage somewhere so I wind up with a credit card or my sleeve. Go figure.
Another idea for a bathroom is a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket with a screw-off lid (sold exclusively through Home Depot I believe). The lid is comfortable enough to get the job done and keep a dozen or so 8 gallon trash bags to line the bucket. And for some privacy, utilize a disposable orange poncho (that doubles as a space blanket). You can squat with the poncho on… like your skirt idea, just easier. And I’m all for easy when dropping a deuce.
Maybe a good folding wood burning stove...a small one like for backpacking....a way to boil water or make a cup of coffee or cook a dehydrated meal....and you can even keep a bag of wood stove pellets with it cuz they will absolutely work in a wood burning folding stove
A good multi tool and tool kit for minor repairs
Some interesting additions to the typical kit. Nice job
To get a tubule mesh filter to last below freezing, back flush with air to clear the fibers of water that might expand from freezing. Then give the filter a good shake and store sideways so any residual doesn't block the fibers. It will freeze as frost, not an ice dam protecting the fibers. If it's -35F out there, filter next to your body. That's pretty dmn cold for any water filter.
Coffee filters for snow/ice is a stellar idea! SOOoo going to do that!
BOREDOM: coloring book and crayons, paperback, plastic playing cards, word puzzle book, maps, mp3 with earphones dedicated to the bag.
BATHROOM: figure it out, A reflective blanket 'skirt' and a cat hole spade might come in handy in front of a line of vehicles with their kids watching you squat in the center island. TP and a plastic bag. If it's paper towels or newsprint, dump in fast food trash on long distance trip, don't flush (obviously). And buy something while you're there to thank them because you know what you did. :D
Bear in mind that if you car is impounded for any reason ... say towed by highway crew after abandoned when you decide to hike out (one story was 35 HOURS traffic pileup) .... the impound will steal from your car and trunk, so pack out with your valuable gear when you go.
If you're stranded in a snow storm and your lone vehicle won't start on the shoulder, forcing you to leave, CALL 911 to notify road crew where your car is disabled to avoid the snow plow taking out your vehicle because they can't see it. No guarantee, but at least you tried.
A nylon dry bag curls up to a tube but can carry water back to your vehicle when needed - from fast food or a stream. Pack two bags because walking back balanced is easier than water in just one hand.
Luci light or its knock off charges flat on the dashboard even in low light and lasts long depending on intensity you're using.
Microcleats are fine for boots on icy pavement, they run about $20 for a pair, they're relatively lightweight and come in their own ditty bag, and if there's a passenger you can split them up between you. You don't need heavy duty cleats just for an emergency kit.
I'm medical so I also bring face masks, cpr masks, tourniquet because I know how to use it, and limited bandages, and particularly a stretch roll type, and tylenol/aspirin/ibuprophen. I look for cars exclusively with elderly because I know they'll never be able to pack out, and are particularly vulnerable, and people who look freaked out to calm them down with some reassuring chatting.
That's EXACTLY why I keep a brand new untouched water filter in my car kit.... just for that reason...along with a titanium single wall water bottle.... not only can you drink from it...and it'll hold water but you can heat up water and pour it in it and keep it close to your body and it'll actually keep you warm all night!
Great!….thanks for sharing!
a stack of cardboard boxes in the trunk also, acts as insulation when stranded, cover the windows inside and under you to stay warmer as you lose a ton of heat through the glass and the cold radiates through fast. You can trim the cardboard to fit beforehand and have ready to cover each window or cut to fit as needed but it helps especially overnights and heating with a candle. Keep a hatchet in the car, if there are trees nearby you can build a small fire to warm up to.
There are other videos of survival with a candle and heavy blanket with solar blanket draped over yourself to stay warm.... always be prepared for the worst.
Reflectives work better then the cardboard. Especially if they are thicker.
That roll of toilet paper has the largest cardboard diameter I have ever seen! I have never even considered a lot of those things because I'm in Texas. When it's icy (or even less common, snowy), I just stay home.
Good kit, for something like what happened in I-95.
Tylenol and ibuprofen are absolutely worth keeping in your car....along with a good quality first aid kit... we often think about us.... but sometimes it's a stranger or a friend or someone like that that needs help...... think about all possibilities
And you should ABSOLUTELY keep a bag of survival gear in your car... not only in the winter but all year long.... you just never know what's going to happen......a couple good knives, a saw, a small axe and def some good recovery gear.....
A good woobie.....or blanket of some kind....even a wool one.....or sleeping bag
Especially a wool one, don't use a normal blanket.
I need to update my kit
You can also add crayons in the bag to burn.
That would turn the air in your car into a parafin offgassed nightmare that kills everyone but sure
And you can feed a US Marine if needed! LOL (Marines will get the joke)