I used to have problems with lug nuts put on by a mechanic, but figured out that stomping on the end of the wrench gives enough torque to get the tough ones off.

Most jacks that are supplied by auto companies are not very good. Many years ago I added a small trolley jack to my travel kit that has proven very useful. It has helped me, and others, many times.
The one I have is from Sears, costs about $40., capacity 2 tons, and comes in its own plastic case. It is great for changing tires. It may seem to be overkill, but I have seen situations where it really saved the day.

I have a blanket, flashlight and a good book. When I lived up north I always carried a couple of roofing shingles also. Nothing better (or easier) for traction when stuck in snow.

metulj - run away with me? ;-)

A blanket is all right now, but I don't go much of anywhere. for longer trips I add water and things like PB cracker packs and candy bars, especially when I know that the weather could turn bad.

"You can't fix stupid..." ~ Ron White"

A few years back we bought some new Michelin tires and they had a promotion going with a free roadside emergency kit. It's a really nice kit, but I only take it on long trips.

It has a flourescent light with red/yellow emergency flashers, road reflectors, jumper cables, hand tools (pliers, screwdrivers) lug wrench with sockets of various sizes, a first aid kit, and an air pump/inflator you can plug into the cigarette lighter (we use this all the time for wagon tires, bicycle tires, etc., and recently loaned it to a friend who had a flat - it's been about the handiest thing in the kit.) It all fits in a briefcase size carrying case.

A milk crate in the back of the van contains: A hefty trashbag, several towels, first aid kit, diaper, wipes, a pacifier, bottled water, air pump, bungee cords and a dog leash.

Of course you must have a towel (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).

We always have a blanket or quilt.

Otherwise, what we carry for survival depends on where we are going or what we are doing.

Travel in Mountainous areas subject to harsh conditions suggests more gear than traveling in urban areas with fairly easy access to civilization.

Hurricane-prone Florida travel supplies:
Puppy supplies (food, medicine, instructions, contact info, vet info)
Water
Dry snacks, simple canned goods (Vienna sausage, etc.)
First aid kit
Auto emergency kit (jumper cables, flares, etc.)
Extra clothes
Blanket
Towel
Walking shoes
Full tank of gas
Credit card
Cell phone (not that it will work)

Additional Supplies for Western Mountains prone to snow and ice:
Long johns
Heavy coat
Boots

Wilderness camping in East Tennessee:
Pistola

Note, if you take a side trip to a desert terrain (Nevada, Arizona, California, etc.), take lots of water.

We keep all-in-one roadside emergency kits in the cars. They came pre-packaged with battery cables, tow cables, tire inflater, some tools, gloves, ponchos, etc. I added duct tape and chemical warmers to the mix.

Both cars also have rudimentary first aid supplies, a Victorinox SwissTool, good flashlight, spare batteries, oil, and brake fluid. My car has a shovel, blanket, fire extinguisher, and winter clothing.

Except for the SwissTools none of it was very expensive. The flashlights were about $30 each, and the kits about the same. The blanket and winter clothes are oldies that were due to be thrown away. Other things were accumulated here and there.

I feel bad for that family. There will be a lot of second guessing, but it sounds like they did a lot of things right and managed to survive for a long time.

Hey, Les, why don't we just call each other assholes and get it over with. - Somebody on the old Southknoxbubba.net (if that was you, claim your quote and win net.fame!)

I got nothing, I didn't run out and get water bottles before 12/31/99, and I don't run to the store when it snows.

Survival kit contents check. In them you'll find: one 45 caliber automatic, two boxes of ammunition, four days concentrated emergency rations, one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills, one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible, one hundred dollars in rubles, one hundred in gold, nine packs of chewing gum, one issue of prophylactics, three lipsticks, three pairs of nylon stockings. Shoot! A fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.

True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler

Do condoms count?
If so, I guess I need to change my vote from no to... aah... who am I kidding? I'll still have to vote no.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

Red Cross kit: first aid, thermal blanket, flashlight, etc.

Thermal blankets, pick/shovel, first aid kit, couple days of energy bars, GPS, flares.

____________________________

Dirty mouth language -- it's the new black.

I'm currently not carrying anything that would be of help if I was stranded, other than extra water.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.