[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Minimal Cold Weather Survival Kit (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/20/2015 8:33:31 PM EDT
|
Cold weather is starting to hit some of us. What's is the minimal kit you would carry to survive a night or two in the woods, or a car breakdown, etc?
I was stuck somewhere for a couple hours in January and I meant to put something together then but I never did. That wasn't an emergency situation and I was only uncomfortable, but what if it had been worse? Want to be ready this time and hopefully this will help some of you in the northern states. |
|
Rubbermaid tote:
Down jacket Snowpants Wool blanket Lifeboat Rations Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Coleman multi-fuel stove and small pot Matches/lighter Candle Flares Snowshoes Shovel Chains That's in addition to the year round tote that has jumper cables, tools, quart of oil etc. |
| Boots, thick warm socks, gloves, and a shovel, ski mask or warm hat for starters. The one time that I got stuck out in the snow in my car those items were real nice to have. Gloves are especially important, might want to make sure you have some utility gloves as well as gloves to keep your hands warm. A cell phone and a charger will get you out of a lot. And of course cash. |
|
I carry one in my back pocket next to my wallet every day. Granted, it isn't primarily there to light camp fires for survival, but its there, damnit.  I keep lots of warm clothes in all my vehicles out of habit, be it for hunting or work. I try to keep water and some snacks and whatnot in there as well. My work truck I would be good for quite a while with all the snacks, drinks, generator, inverter, pvc heat blankets, clothes, etc. |
|
I always have a bunch of cheap uhaul moving blankets in the vehicle. For less than ten bucks each they are pretty warm. I got stuck at twenty below going to work. I always wear long johns under work pants now if it is below zero. I got cold quick waiting for a tow and since it was stupid cold all the trucks were out with non starts etc. I did have blankets etc but I would have rather been warmer without resorting to having to wrap myself in blankets. I will get a carhart suit for this winter. So i could still function and be warm. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| I keep a few bottles of water with an MRE in my truck for food and hydration. Jacket, gloves, hat, warm socks and boots are a must. I try to keep a tow chain and emergency cash if I need to get yanked out. This should be in addition to your normal car kit. Worse comes to worse makes sure you have a comfortable bag to toss some things in should you need to unass the area and hike it home. |
|
Point. That would keep me warm all night. |
|
http://www.lowes.com/pd_122001-51644-F232020_1z0zq53__?productId=3353726&pl=1
Mr.Buddy heater if you're worried about cold. Buy a six pack of the small green propane bottles. Add a box of Nutrigrain's and you easily stick it out for a few days. Cell phone would probably be best though, although why you want to leave your Mom's basement is a puzzle to me..... 
|
|
Just switched over to winter gear last night.
Off the top of my head, here's what's in the truck box now: Misc hand tools Fire extinguisher Shovel (real one, not plastic snow shovel...if you're digging, it'll be heavy snow) Jumper cables Jump box/air compressor Extra fuel (15 gal) Ether Amber strobe (I use that more for work) Zip ties Tow strap Couple very heavy duty chains Washer fluid Snow brush Blankets Carhartt jacket and bibs Boots Several pairs of socks and gloves Toilet paper Hand cleaner First aid Spotlight Headlamp Flashlight I always have a ghb in my truck, which contains food, water, whiskey, extra clothes that can handle typical march-Oct weather, self defense, fire starting, comms, cash, and rudimentary shelter. Because I am frequently on the road between Syracuse and fredonia ny (aka, prime snow country), getting caught eventually for at least a night is to be expected. Also, my job has me in the weather a lot, so I always have gear and extra clothes on hand. I also always have a couple ways of charging my phones. I also keep a real map of my area as a backup. I'm 32, technologically saavy, but fuck me....when things are stacking up and you need info now, I swear that's exactly when you accidentally hit the button allowing a system update and effectively shutting down your phone for the next half hour. Oh....a cb radio with weather is nice too. |
|
Quoted:
Woods and car have two drastically different kits. Yeah, f the woods in a winter storm. We had 3 (I think) die in the suburbs of a 1mil+ metro area during a big storm last year trying to walk from their vehicles to nearby shelters. They couldn't see, could barely walk, and froze to death. Seriously, they were maybe 1/4 mile from a dense residential area. Stay in your vehicle, keep the exhaust clear and adequate ventilation for breathing, and hunker down. Extra gas makes that hunkering much more comfy. One other thing.....info is key. Switch off your Venga Boys mp3 and over to local weather/news. Half the people who get stuck on the thru way here enter it after its been closed. |
|
Dry fish water/tea candy bars extra batteries headlamp and flashlight 2-3 pairs of gloves tp paper matches/lighter/survival flint birch bark tarps 150ft or so of rope 2-3 pairs of wool socks axe little saw first aid kit hand warmer packets All goes in a back pack on the snogo or boat. There's more but i am forgetting what i packed.  |
|
Quoted:
Dry fish water/tea candy bars extra batteries headlamp and flashlight 2-3 pairs of gloves tp paper matches/lighter/survival flint birch bark tarps 150ft or so of rope 2-3 pairs of wool socks axe little saw first aid kit hand warmer packets All goes in a back pack on the snogo or boat. There's more but i am forgetting what i packed.
Why birch bark? |
|
Quoted: Why birch bark? Quoted: Quoted: Dry fish water/tea candy bars extra batteries headlamp and flashlight 2-3 pairs of gloves tp paper matches/lighter/survival flint birch bark tarps 150ft or so of rope 2-3 pairs of wool socks axe little saw first aid kit hand warmer packets All goes in a back pack on the snogo or boat. There's more but i am forgetting what i packed. Why birch bark? Even starts when wet. |
|
Quoted:
Fire starter. Even starts when wet. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Dry fish water/tea candy bars extra batteries headlamp and flashlight 2-3 pairs of gloves tp paper matches/lighter/survival flint birch bark tarps 150ft or so of rope 2-3 pairs of wool socks axe little saw first aid kit hand warmer packets All goes in a back pack on the snogo or boat. There's more but i am forgetting what i packed.
Why birch bark? Even starts when wet. |
|
Quoted: Better than doritos or wax paper? Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Dry fish water/tea candy bars extra batteries headlamp and flashlight 2-3 pairs of gloves tp paper matches/lighter/survival flint birch bark tarps 150ft or so of rope 2-3 pairs of wool socks axe little saw first aid kit hand warmer packets All goes in a back pack on the snogo or boat. There's more but i am forgetting what i packed. Why birch bark? Even starts when wet. It also burns very hot. |
|
I have a collapsible e-tool somewhere that I need to put back in the truck soon.
I usually make sure to have an extra pair of gloves and a hat, a blanket, lighter, zip lock bag of TP, jumper cables, gas can, flash light, and phone charger with me. This is not a comprehensive list, and I probably have more. |
|
Quoted:
Better than doritos or wax paper? Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Dry fish water/tea candy bars extra batteries headlamp and flashlight 2-3 pairs of gloves tp paper matches/lighter/survival flint birch bark tarps 150ft or so of rope 2-3 pairs of wool socks axe little saw first aid kit hand warmer packets All goes in a back pack on the snogo or boat. There's more but i am forgetting what i packed.
Why birch bark? Even starts when wet. Interesting, but there may be better choices. For example... Rutland Safe Lite Fire Starter Squares, 144-Square http://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Safe-Starter-Squares-144-Square/dp/B00138MO16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445395210&sr=8-1&keywords=fire+starters Look at the bottom of the page for about 20 other options. |
|
Quoted:
Rubbermaid tote: Down jacket Snowpants Wool blanket Lifeboat Rations Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Coleman multi-fuel stove and small pot Matches/lighter Candle Flares Snowshoes Shovel Chains That's in addition to the year round tote that has jumper cables, tools, quart of oil etc. I have kept vacuum bagged water in my car, works well. I make several smaller bags then vacuum bag them all again just in case of a leak, but have never had a problem. I have a few that are pre-measured for freeze dried food and labeled. Most survival advice says stay with the car, so use the snowshoes wisely if at all. |
|
Quoted:
Rubbermaid tote: Down jacket Snowpants Wool blanket Lifeboat Rations Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Coleman multi-fuel stove and small pot Matches/lighter Candle Flares Snowshoes Shovel Chains That's in addition to the year round tote that has jumper cables, tools, quart of oil etc. And a lifeboat! |
| It is a good idea to keep the pairs of socks and gloves individually bagged in ziplock baggies, that way, you still have a pair of dry gloves or socks no matter what happens to the rest of your gear. AND as a side benefit, you have extra ziplock bags along for the ride. |
|
Quoted:
Rubbermaid tote: Down jacket Snowpants Wool blanket Lifeboat Rations Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Coleman multi-fuel stove and small pot Matches/lighter Candle Flares Snowshoes Shovel Chains That's in addition to the year round tote that has jumper cables, tools, quart of oil etc. This is actually a pretty good list. A few other things I would recommend are Candle lanterns (at least 1 with 3 spare candles) a good shovel, tent and sleeping bag in the trunk and snow shoes and walking poles in case you needed to leave your car (rarely recommended but things can come up) A solar recharger for your phone and other devices also is important. I am going to assume you are already properly dressed for the conditions but extra clothes and blankets are nice too. Hand and foot warmers are also quite handy as well as a small bag you can place a canteen and food in with a warmer to melt them if frozen. A solar and rechargeable flashlight and emergency radio and back pack are also very handy to have as well as flares/flare gun and tarp and duck tape and plenty of paracord. Again in case you need to go mobile. |
|
Quoted:
Regular plastic water bottles don't either from what I've seen, and I freeze 'em fairly frequently in the summer to use as ice packs in the cooler. Quoted:
Quoted:
Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Regular plastic water bottles don't either from what I've seen, and I freeze 'em fairly frequently in the summer to use as ice packs in the cooler. As long as you do not fill them more than 3/4 they will not damage the bottle from freezing/defrosting |
|
Quoted:
Cold weather is starting to hit some of us. What's is the minimal kit you would carry to survive a night or two in the woods, or a car breakdown, etc? I was stuck somewhere for a couple hours in January and I meant to put something together then but I never did. That wasn't an emergency situation and I was only uncomfortable, but what if it had been worse? Want to be ready this time and hopefully this will help some of you in the northern states. I keep a blizzard bag in my truck all winter, with parka, bibs, fleece, gloves, hat, goggles, warm socks, and neoprene mask (with boots outside the bag). I could basically walk out into any blizzard and be comfortable. I grab snacks and extra water if there is a storm on the way. I don't need it very often, but it's been great to have a few times. If I'm on a snowmobile, I also have basic survival gear, like firestarter, knife, multitool, mylar blanket, compass, etc. |
|
Quoted:
As long as you do not fill them more than 3/4 they will not damage the bottle from freezing/defrosting Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Regular plastic water bottles don't either from what I've seen, and I freeze 'em fairly frequently in the summer to use as ice packs in the cooler. As long as you do not fill them more than 3/4 they will not damage the bottle from freezing/defrosting I just mean the commercial disposable ones, Ptomaine Spring or whatever. The bottom dimple will butt out but I haven't had 'em pop or leak, even the newer ridiculously thin ones. I froze the same bottles over and over this summer. Worked fine. |
|
- Disposable Poncho - 2x Mylar blankets - Tarp - Fleece blanket - 2 pairs of gloves - Hooded sweatshirt - 2 lighters - Chemlights - 3D LED Maglite - 2AA LED Maglite - Jumper cables - Small socket / screwdriver set - Vice grips, pliers - Water - Small, minimal diaper bag - A little cash and change |
|
Quoted:
Rubbermaid tote: Down jacket Snowpants Wool blanket Lifeboat Rations Lifeboat water packs (don't burst on freezing in my experience) Coleman multi-fuel stove and small pot Matches/lighter Candle Flares Snowshoes Shovel Chains That's in addition to the year round tote that has jumper cables, tools, quart of oil etc. Shoot, a fellow could have a pretty good weekend in Manitoba with all that stuff! |
| You can also put a few pairs of latex exam or nitrile gloves in the kit. Put them on under another pair of gloves and they act as a barrier and hold heat the heat radiating off your hands. My BIL works on logging equipment and does this during the winter months. |