Disaster/Emergency Vehicle Kit (DEVKit) / Bug Out Bag (BOB)

[breakingbad]

Howdy!
I wanted to give my older boys something useful for this past XMAS. I decided to make up an emergency/disaster car kit.

I have compiled a list for what I call a Disaster/Emergency Vehicle Kit / Bug Out Bag.

The lists reflect my attempt to plan for an event of unknown severity and duration, an event which may never happen. However, assumptions must be made and a budget established.

This DEVKit, or BOB is based on the premise that I spend most of my time near my home and work. Most of my driving during the week is within 50 miles of home (usually 20) and on weekends within 100 miles at most. Therefore, it is most likely that an unexpected and serious emergency or disaster will occur during this time. Most likely it will be an urban/suburban environment with countryside possibilities too. It works well for expected disasters too, altho’ I would add items depending on the scenario.

The most likely natural disaster where I live is a major earthquake that causes massive devastation and a breakdown of civil order. Then again, it could be a massive traffic jam where I’m stuck for hours due to weather, fog or an accident. Or a weekend vehicle breakdown while sightseeing on an isolated back road. The point is preparation goes well with hope and a prayer.

And for longer trips such as several hundred miles I can add some water and food to the DEVKit and just GO.

So, those are some of the scenarios upon which I based the DEVKit / BOB.

Lastly, altho’ this is a non-recurring expense that most likely will never be used, I feel it is necessary and critical to have some kind of preparation kit in whatever vehicle I’m in. Of course, you can make one BOB and if you have multiple cars, just transfer to whichever you are driving that day. However, if you have multiple drivers and multiple vehicles, it is best to make a BOB for each vehicle.

Some personal criteria used in coming up with this DEVKit.
1. The DEVKit is based on a Bug Out Bag premise, where much or all of the contents of the Bag may have to travel with you if you need to abandon your vehicle.
2. I always have a daypack with me – I use it like a briefcase or a woman uses a purse. It can hold about 3L in volume. As such, my BOB is a bag bec I’m not going to wear 2 backpacks. I will have my backpack and transfer what i need to it. Or, take the bag too with shoulder strap slung over me when needed to keep my hands free. If you don’t have a backpack, then I suggest you use a backpack for your BOB.
3. I have a handgun and ammo in my BOB bec I’m preparing for an unknown emergency or disaster. There are pros and cons about keeping a handgun in your vehicle, obeying all state and local laws, of course. I am not comfortable doing it, however I have made that decision for now. It reflects my attempt to plan for an event of unknown severity and duration. I don’t know where I will be if and when it happens - I may be 5 miles or 50 miles from home, in the city or the country. (I live near San Jose, Calif, by the way). I may have to abandon my vehicle to make my way back home. I may be alone or with someone under my care. I may be in a chaotic and dangerous situation for any length of time and I plan on surviving. My kids DO NOT have a handgun in their BOB. I’m not going to get into it further but I consider the ability to defend a top priority. DO NOT HI-JACK THIS THREAD TO GUN CONTROL, PLEASE.

Disaster/Emergency Vehicle Kit (DEVKit) / Bug Out Bag (BOB)

In the car but not in the BOB:
1 flashlight, LED, 2 position (low, blinding), extra batteries (CR123 my choice)
1 set jumper cables
3 highway flares, 1 foldable Emergency Triangle
1 can 20 oz Fix a Flat Sealant,
tire gauge,
“star” lug wrench
1 gal red plastic gas can
1 tarp, reinforced grommets, 10’ x 18’
Smart Water 6 pack, 20 oz bottles – I like these bec they are strong plastic bottles each holding 20 oz each. If you bug out, you can carry them with you and reuse them time and time again.
Clothing:
1 pair hiking or running shoes / socks (decent shape) – if you are like me and drive around town in sandals, you better have a pair of shoes handy in an emergency/disaster
1 pair long pants, 1 long shirt, 1 warm/weatherproof jacket – prepare for an emergency and put some extra clothes in your closet to good use (wool is best).

The BOB:
1 Eagle Creek “No Matter What” Duffle, size small – excellent bag that passes for airplane carry on. It comes inside its own stuff sack. Look it up online. Whatever you choose, have a shoulder strap or a way to sling it over your chest so that your hands are free. I used the stuff sack (and the empty Nalgene bottle) to put items into in order to tighten up the organization of the bag..

1 flashlight, LED, 3 position (low, blinding, strobe), extra batteries (CR123 my choice), in outside zippered pocket

Hand gun, holster and ammo (see item 3 above)
1 Pepper Spray, Fox Labs Mk3 flip top cap, medium cone spray, 2oz, (non-lethal force)

Prescription meds – can you get by and be OK without them? For how long?

1 goggle, 3M chemical splash/impact
1 face mask, 3M 8511 N95 Particulate Respirator, in plastic protector shell
1 utility knife w/ sheath (non-serrated blade, SS) – good and not too expensive (Mora, Buck)

Food:
Assumption is you can easily survive for 6 days alone or 3 days if 2 ppl. Yes you will lose some weight - if you’re lucky ... I tried the spaghetti and it’s pretty good even cold. These foods have years of shelf life.
10 New Millennium Energy Bars, assorted flavors
5 spaghetti with meat sauce by Ameriqual Foods - military packages 8 oz each

1 Thermal Blanket, all purpose, 14 oz, 50” x 79” (wool is best but bulky - if you have to hoof it)
1 poncho, military, waterproof with snap grommets. Can use as a ground cloth, pup tent, sleeping bag (lay flat, put thermal blanket on top, fold in half and snap together, tie off bottom end for a waterproof/windproof “mummy bag”). The grommets let you snap similar ponchos together to make a nice tent.
1 strap, ¾” x 2 ft, wrapped around poncho
4 shop rags (cotton, new)
1 hat
4 lightsticks, 6 inch, 30 minutes, green (yellow 2nd choice), CYALUME Technology
4 lightsticks, 6 inch, 12 hours, green (yellow 2nd choice), CYALUME Technology
I got the sticks online – the 30 min sticks from Extreme Glow. These are commercial grade and they also sell military issue. I got the 12 hour sticks from QuakeKare bec they had green, which is the best light. Extreme Glow is best website.

Inside the stuff sack:
1 Leatherman Multitool, Wingman
1 pair leather work gloves, deerskin
1 Aquamira water treatment kit, Chlorine Dioxide drops, 1 oz each
2 Kleenix packages, purse size
1 Cottonelle Wipes package, qty 84
4 pairs Nitrile gloves
Paracord, 50 ft
1 tube advanced healing hand lotion, 3 oz
1 electrical tape
1 duct tape
1 33 gal plastic trash bag (good for waterproofing)
1 pants belt, lightweight heavy duty nylon, adjustable slider
1 caribiner, Metolius, climbing quality
2 bungee cords, 2 sizes

1 Nalgene water bottle, 1 liter, wide mouth – metal is good too bec you can heat water in it. I like Nalgene and it’s see-through.
Inside the empty bottle:
1 bandanna
1 Spork (spoon and fork)
1 bottle Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap, 2 oz, peppermint – you can use this for everything – teeth, body, dishes. It’s concentrated too.
1 whistle
1 toothbrush, travel
1 toothpaste, travel
1 dental floss
8 eyedrops, Alcon Tears Natural Free, individual tubes
1 lighter, Bic
1 UCO Stormproof matches, qty 25, in container (save these matches - are excellent for storms!!)
1 box waterproof matches, small, 25

First Aid Kit
1 bag – big enough to hold the light sticks would be good, so they don’t get crushed in the BOB
1 roll gauze, 2”
1 triangular bandage, muslin, 2 safety pins, 37”x37”x52”
1 Ace elastic bandage, 3M, with clasps, latex free
One prescription plastic container, screw top lid, with the following:
6 Benydryl tablets, 4 anti-diarrheal tablets, 2 smelling salt capsules, 3 safety pins

Ibuprofen, 200 mg, 1 bottle of 24
Waterproof tape, heavy duty, ½” x 5 yds, Johnson&Johnson
1 scissors, medical
Betadine antiseptic – 10% Povidone-Iodine, 2 oz squeeze bottle (make it yourself)
Tweezers, precision type, for ticks/splinters
4 alcohol prep pads, TRIAD
4 antiseptic Povidone-Iodine prep pads, PDI
1 syringe, 10 ml, irrigation
1 first aid cream, tube 0.5 oz
1 Aquaphor, lip ointment, tube 10g

Non-adhesive gauze pads:
Eyepads, 1 5/8 x 2 5/8 in, 2
5” x 9” surgical dressing, 1
4” x 4”, 2
3” x 4”, 2
3” x 3”, 4
2” x 2”, 4

Adhesive bandages:
3” x 4”, 2
1.5” x 4”, 2
1” x 3”, 4
3/4” x 3”, 5
Butterfly, 3
Knuckle, 2
Finger, 2
Round small, 4

Wound Closure Strips, ¼ in by 4 in, 10
Hemostat Gauze, Blood Barrier, 1” x 1”, 2


AND A KITCHEN SINK

 

[Alpo]

They make what is basically a canteen cup that fits on the bottom of a nalgene bottle. It's stainless steel, so you've got the "see-through" of the nalgene and the "heat water" capability of metal.
Amazon.com: Olicamp Space Saver Cup: Sports & Outdoors

Light sticks have an expiration date. I was unaware of this, and bought many prior to Y2K. They are all out of date. Are they still good? Heck if I know, and the only way to check is to pop one, which means that even if it WAS still good, it's not any more.

A headlight is a handy item. I notice two flashlights, but they both require holding in one hand. A headlight gives you two hands. Nice for something like changing a tire.

You said "star", so I'm assuming that's a 4-arm lug wrench. Go out now and find which end fits your nuts and mark it. On one of my trucks the end is painted fluorescent orange. On the other one there is a piece of duct tape wrapped around it. Whichever way your mark it, it means you don't have to play "which end fits" at the side of the road with a flat tire.

Something I can't recommend enough is a Hi-Lift jack. The jack that they supply with modern vehicles is useless. Yes, the OEM jack takes up very little space, but when you need a jack, you need a jack, not that piece of junk. You will need, however, to verify that you can use the jack on your vehicle. I tried to change the tire on my daughter's Mazda mini-van, and there was no place I could get to without damaging the van.

Also get an 18" square of 3/4" plywood. If you are on sand or damp ground, that under the jack will allow you to pick the vehicle up, instead of driving the jack into the ground.

A shovel and an axe are quite handy, along with a strap or chain. A 3-foot D-handled shovel, and what is commonly called a "3/4 axe" or a "boy's axe" take up less room than their full-size equivalent, but beat the heck out of an E-tool when you need them.

A few shackles come in handy, also, for attaching chains or straps.

A plus to the Hi-Lift jack. If you have chains it can be used as a winch. You can only pull three feet at a time, but you can get the job done.

 

[Stonecove]

Breakingbad, Thanks for the thread. I copied and pasted to my file and will start a bag. Thanks,
Stonecove

 

[David LaPell]

I put something together a while back for my Jeep, not even so much a BUG out bag, but more of a excrement hitting the fan kit while home or in the vehicle. I have a Marine box that looks something like an ammo box but it is plastic and water tight. I have a good first aid kit, not sure all of the particulars but it is one of the better ones. I have two knives, my hatchet, a small folding hand saw, matches, a lighter, a water filter, water bottle, since I am either carrying my .357 or my .38 snub, I have a box of .38 Special in there, a flashlight, I will be getting a crank flashlight with an AM radio built in soon. I have a good wool surplus blanket, a small tarp, paracord, a P-38 can opener (also have one on my keychain). I plan on making a small stove from a big juice can (Backwoodsman magazine has a lot of ideas like that, called Hobo stoves). Everything I have can be picked up and packed or put on a belt and is totally portable, as it should be. I also have extra gloves and some extra clothing in there to keep warm.

One of the things that people have no real concept of if there is ever a big enough event where everything goes wrong, society bites the dust etc, staying in your home is not tenable. Even where I live in the sticks isn't going to last forever, because sooner or later a big enough group more heavily armed than you is going to show up and take it, unless you have more people and firepower than they do. If not you are a juicy target. They see smoke coming from your chimney, they see a warm place to sleep, they see a grill out back they might think they will get a good dinner. In the end you will most likely be on the move. There are some that think that the end of the world is going to be fun, I caught a couple like that on Doomsday Preppers, one of the reasons I only watch that show if NOTHING else is on, and they will be in for a shock. Being prepared is a good thought, but being prepared to be mobile is a better one because staying in one place you can't defend is suicide.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Breakingbad, I would suggest that you include in your equipment USCG approved survival bars (DATREX Emergency Ration Bars). They are just as or more nutricious and take up less space...plus they have a shelf life in years whereas MRE's and the like last about three years. Also, I would suggest avoiding the waterproof matches entirely in favor of an extra BIC lighter and add an Aquamira Frontier Pro emergency water filter...it will filter up to fifty gallons of water.

 

[diamonback68]

Wow, I can't begin to imagine being far enough away from civilization to ever need any where near that much stuff. But hey, to each his own.

 

[jlrhiner]

Wow, I can't begin to imagine being far enough away from civilization to ever need any where near that much stuff. But hey, to each his own.

I don't think it's you being that far from civilization, it's civilization going that far away from you. A little preparation is a good thing.

 

[Alpo]

Last Standing Knight - lots of people recommend them butane lighters. There's a couple of little problems with them, that smokers don't learn about.

If they are cold they won't work. If they are below about 60 degrees, the butane does not turn to gas, and they won't light.

Smokers carry 'em in their pocket, right next to their hundred-degree leg, so even if it's below freezing outside, the lighter's warm. But people that have one in their survival kit, it's not next to that hundred-degree leg. It's in that forty-degree truck, and it won't work.

If you are going to carry it with you, it's a fine idea. I have one in my pocket and I haven't smoked in over twenty years.

 

[breakingbad]

Alpo, Lapell, Knoght, et all - good input

Alpo - it would be very useful info for us if you told us the exp date and then snapped one of your sticks and report on if it works or not, and who the manufacturer is.

I snapped a 30 min yellow one and 12 hours later there was still a decent amount of light - easily enough to illum your feet in pitch dark. 3 days later there was still a faint glow - if you were trapped in a basement or cave with zero light - this would keep you form going insane - just enough glow .

I'll check out the food stuff too - once you make these kits you have to be willing to cycle the stuff that expires - all this stuff lasts well beyond the expiration date but how it's stored does make a big difference, of course, esp for food.

I would recommend on first aid kit you make your own no matter what the size - any pre-made one is never quite right. Also, unless you take it apart and really go thru it, you don't know or remember what's in there exactly. If you make your own up you never forget.

 

[squidsix]

This is fascinating. I have been on dismounted patrol in the most remote regions of Afghanistan, and we brought about 10% of that stuff.
Med kit: Bones, Bleeds, Bugs. Keep it simple.
Food: MREs, or we shot animals and cooked them. There is a whopper jackrabbit over there that is darn good eatin.
Water: The Nalgene bottle purifier is great.
Shelter: Sleeping bag (Modular sleeping system is what they call it now) and tent.
Done.

 

[williamlayton]

This is a for sure "MURPHY LAW" thing.
There is always something you don't have even if you carry it all in a duece and 1/2.
The clothing and "TOWELS" are important. Towels are the most used, everyday things I carry everywhere.
From eating on the go--to something to kneel on when changing a flat.
I have used them to wear as a scarf---actually happened.
Blessings

 

[kozmic]

Just a few suggestions to the OP and others....

On the personal supplies front, I like to have; sun tan lotion, bug spray, lip balm, zip lock bags of almonds, beef jerky, gum and hard candy, a 1/2 roll of toilet paper and a small container of dish detergent.

Absolutely on a stn. steel cup that slides over the end of the Nalgene bottle. Takes up no room if allows easy heating of food or purifying of water if you don't carry a filtration system. A $12 life saver!

I would suggest a straight tire iron that fits your vehicle lug nut size. they usually have a flat (pry bar) end and could be invaluable as a tool or weapon for you or a second person if you bug out from your vehicle.

Also, I carry a 6' x 8'+/- piece of heavy mil clear plastic cut off a roll at work. It is light, compact and very durable.

 

[walnutred]

This is interesting to me because I'm building a Get Me Home bag. The bag is a medium sized back pack with multiple compartments. So far there is not much in it. An old wool army blanket, a Stanley multi tool, an empty canteen/belt/carrier/cup/stove rig that I’ve had for decades. In a 1-gallon ziplock bag is 2 wool stocking caps and two pair of gloves. A first aid kit, few heat tablets and a few of the long nozzle butane grill lighters are also in zip lock bags. In the truck itself are other items such as rope, a tarp and a shovel but so far that is it.

Living in a temperate climate I’ve not decided on a practical firearm that would not turn to rust in a years’ time due to condensation. When I do it will probably be a long gun of some sort. I’m looking for one of the AR-7 22 rifles but they are scarce right now. If pushed to use something for a truck gun right now I’d probably put a heavy coat of preservative on a T53 Mosin and vacuum pack some ammo. Include a cleaning kit and I’d feel comfortable.

 

[BobC357]

We were evacuated during a recent forest fire. A couple of things I learned....

Flashlight - Get a CRANK LED rechargeable. When the batteries run low, you just CRANK it and with multiple LEDs you don't need to worry about the bulb if you drop it. Get a waterproof one for use when its raining or if you drop it in water. They're around $15.

Food Storage - Get a seal-a-meal type machine. You can vacuum pack stuff and it will last longer. If you pack some foods, they will last well over a year that way.

Get a cheap Android WiFi enabled tablet and cigarette charger too. Then you'll have access to the Internet including GPS, maps, weather, news, etc. Big Lotz has them frequently for less than $90

Coleman camp gear & fuel ***. I keep the stove, lanterns, catalytic heaters in good condition and an average of a two week supply of fuel. I've used it on more than on occasion. I remember when we had the only lights on (Coleman dual mantel gas lantern) in upstate, NY after a storm and we cooked fried chicken for us and the neighbors. No electricity but we had plenty of light, heat and stove.

If you're where it gets cold, you need heat. Here and in NY, I had kerosine heaters*** and 5-gallon cans of kerosine. The heaters used about a quart a day each.

Never let your cars get below 1/2 tank of gas. You never know what will happen and a half tank will get you over 100 miles away.

Have an emergency bag with a weeks worth of clothing ready to go. It must be good for hot, normal and cold weather since you don't know when/where you'll need it. Make sure it includes a good blanket. Hint: wool insulates even if its wet.

You need heat, water and food. Those are the essentials. Where you live, the things that can get you (storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.) vary so adjust for those. We have kits ready to go that include pet stuff too.

*** Fuel devices give off Carbon Monoxide! Always have a fresh air supply where you use them and don't use them while sleeping!!!!!

 

[Alpo]

The reference to a "straight tire iron" reminded me of this. My father-in-law (professional mechanic, about 5 foot nothing, maybe 110 pounds) had a big Craftsman screwdriver with a 2-foot shaft in his tool box. I watched him putting a tire back on after a brake job. He put the screwdriver down in front of the axle, rolled the wheel on top of the blade, and lifted the handle, using the shaft of the screwdriver as a lever to pick up that 50-pound tire, so he could easily slide it on the axle. I complimented him on that idea, and he said he learned that back when he was changing tires on semis.

So I carry a long-shafted screwdriver in the truck. Only thing I use it for is raising up them 10.50-31-15s to put back on the axle.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Easy to add items are 1-$10 roll of quarters for vending machines (that still have power) and payphones that work. A very small Swiss Army Knife (blade,tweasers,scissors) and a hotel size bar of soap in first aid kit. One of the contributers talked of a small bottel of dish soap, works fine for me, if you can keep it from leaking. There is also an old backpackers trick: Use an old, clean, worn out wool sock. Turn insideout, place biggest size bar soap inside and sew closed between toe and heal holes and trim off excess(Ivory floats, Dial makes you stink less). Lastly on soap: There is always weirdo Dr. Bloner's peppermint Casteal soap. Use on everything, eg. teeth, hair, hands, dishes, clothes.(let me tell you doing your teeth with peppermint soap is very very weird!!) You can buy it in 2oz to 1 gal sizes. The small sizes are very travel friendly. For laughs you can try to figure out the meaning of his teachings also printed on the lable.
For a truck gun that won't break the bank. A single shot 12 or 20 guage shotgun; stores in half, cut to 20"+/-, shoulder sling, butt cuff for 5 shells, and a box of mixed ammo (mark shot size with sharpie!), not for a fire fight but for a long walk somewhere. I use a 20 with 7.5, 5 or 4, #4 Buck and slugs. It feeds me and works on preditors. If you are allowed in your state, put a ckeap 22 handgun (not your prize model 17), holster, and box of ammo in the kit also. Coat firearms with Shooters choice rust preventer and put in drybags(you'll need a small cleaning kit also). This set up works for years if inside a truck, I would inspect quarterly until sure, if in external tool box.
On the water bottel/cup idea, U.S. Army canteen, cup and slip on stove all fit inside canteen cover, and most covers have a pocket for water purification pills. The stove can use heximene tablets or a twig fire. I drop 1 or 2 instant coffee packets in bottom of cup before packing away. A second quart bottle/canteen of water in pack is a good idea.

 

[breakingbad]

Just to restate my original intent with the DEVKit and the BOB - that hopefully you have MORE than you would need for an emergency/disaster, not LESS. Since it is a vehicle, you can carry more stuff with you and, if you have to abandon your vehicle, then you decide what to leave behind. Or, maybe it isn’t a disaster - you’re on your way to ski for the weekend and just get stuck in a snowstorm for 12 hours. It is also a car breakdown kit – you don’t have flares, a ground cloth, flat tire repair and jumper cables in your vehicle??

Yes, this is more of an urban survival kit because I spend 90% of my life in or near a city. It is geared for 1 person to live decently for a week and be mobile if necessary, or 2 ppl for 3 – 4 days. It isn’t meant for bushcraft survival for months, altho’ you wouldn’t be in that bad a shape if this DEVKit was all you had to start in the bush.

So, this is more urban and a temperate climate. If I lived in the country with lots of wide open spaces between towns, or way up north in Minnesota, I would have different items, such as an axe, and a rifle. Down Sleeping bag maybe, or at least a wool blanket and wool coat, different boots, snowshoes ...???

Go Niners

 

[monet61]

I enjoyed the thoughfulness that went into your kit. I too, have built some kits that I have put in my truck and my wife's SUV. She doesn't really know what's in it, but she'll be glad she has it if she's stuck somewhere . We live in the NV desert, and there is a lot of distance between places, as well as less traveled roads. You don't know you need the stuff till you don't have it.

 

[Biginge]

Interesting read. We may need. It sooner than one would think.

 

[USAF385]

GLASSES! Most people forget an extra pair of glasses.. especially if you need corrective lenses and wear contacts. I keep a pair of my BCGs in each bug out bag I have.

I've posted the contents of my basic bug out bag on the forum twice before, but...... don't feel like searching for those threads or compiling a list. it started based on my aircrew survival bag but has since grown into a nicely stuffed backpack.