emergency equipment

[a64pilot]

I did search, but since I'm a noob maybe I didn't do it right. If this has been discussed, please excuse me.
What do you carry for emergencies? When I lived in Germany many items were required and I have continued since then and added a little.
I carry a cell phone of course, but add a good first aid kit, fire extinguisher, plastic reflective warning triangle, reflective vest to wear while I change that tire and a pair of work gloves to wear while I change it as well. One of my major concerns is to warn other drivers that I'm there and to be seen so I don't get run over. The only real weight is the fire extinguisher, but if you need it, the weight is worth it.
What do you carry?

[Bica2go]

There was an interesting thread on survival kits: carry a survival pack in the Prius?

[nola_Prius]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I did search, but since I'm a noob maybe I didn't do it right. If this has been discussed, please excuse me.
What do you carry for emergencies? When I lived in Germany many items were required and I have continued since then and added a little.
I carry a cell phone of course, but add a good first aid kit, fire extinguisher, plastic reflective warning triangle, reflective vest to wear while I change that tire and a pair of work gloves to wear while I change it as well. One of my major concerns is to warn other drivers that I'm there and to be seen so I don't get run over. The only real weight is the fire extinguisher, but if you need it, the weight is worth it.
What do you carry?

I just sold my Scion tC, which came with a pretty well stocked first aid kit. Luckily I never needed to use it, but it was nice to have.
A small fire extinguisher I think is a good idea, and the weight gain is minimal... nothing to even think about.

A reflective warning triangle is also a good idea.
I had a little "roadside assistance" kit I bought at Wal-Mart or somewhere like that a while back. It came with one of the reflective triangles, jumper cables, a jack, some basic tools, and a little air compressor that was powered via cigarette lighter or aux. power source.

It's better to be safe than sorry and there's nothing wrong with being prepared for the worse!

[tumbleweed]

A wool blanket is very useful if there are badly injured people, such as a bad traffic accident. I have no formal medical training except numerous first aid classes but I do recall that covering someone with a blanket can help if they are in shock. An old army blanket serves nicely.

I also make sure the jack and lug wrench that comes with the car are actually useful for changing a tire, I have gotten some that were not. If they aren't I replace them with tools I can use when it's dark and cold out. A piece of wood to set the jack on might be useful also.

A good flashlight, a 12V tire inflater, some basic tools such as a multi purpose screwdriver, a pair of pliers, or a multi-tool such as a Leatherman or a Swiss Army knife might come in handy.

If you live where it's cold a folding shovel, a candle, and a butane lighter.

[a64pilot]

I wondered about the folding shovel, didn't know if you were disposing dead bodies or something
I dislike snow, but I guess snow capable cars were the fashion. Can't figure out why everybody down south here wanted their SUV's 4wd otherwise.

[tochatihu]

A few $20 dollar bills in the first aid/tool kit?

[nola_Prius]

Originally Posted by tochatihu

A few $20 dollar bills in the first aid/tool kit?

I used to keep between $50-100 in my car at all times, just in case it was ever needed. It seems like a good idea to me.

[fuzzy1]

Good list, but I suggest a few changes:

A wool blanket ... An old army blanket serves nicely.

A common cheap fleece blanket and a Space Blanket or similar compact mylar product will do just as well, with less storage space and weight.

12V tire inflater,

I now prefer a small hand-operated floor pump for bicycle tires. For regular topping off of tire pressure, repacking the 12V cord in the case was harder than hand pumping.

[nola_Prius]

A can of those temporary "fix a flat" tire inflator/foam things would be nice to have in the little storage compartment. It'd be a bit more convenient than having to change the tire, unless you have a long way to drive. (I'm not sure what the limitations are with those canned fixers.)

[vapor8]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

When I lived in Germany many items were required and I have continued since then and added a little.
I carry a cell phone of course, but add a good first aid kit, fire extinguisher, plastic reflective warning triangle, reflective vest to wear while I change that tire and a pair of work gloves to wear while I change it as well. One of my major concerns is to warn other drivers that I'm there and to be seen so I don't get run over.

The idea of the reflective vest was one of those "Why haven't I ever thought of that?" moments for me... Thanks for the great idea; I'm ordering one for each car this week!