Urban Survival Kits

[Likeablefish]

Had some spare time this evening so I thought I'd take some photos of my USK that I keep in my car. I got the idea from Nutnfancy and have put together my own that's rammed with cool stuff.

if anybody is interested I've got more pictures and can do a list of everything.

 

[Taxi Dad]

if anybody is interested I've got more pictures and can do a list of everything.

I'm interested 

[kirk13]

Yep,make that two of us

[Millhouse]

Very comprehensive kit you have put together. It is very similar to the kit I keep in the car.

Liking your Fenix LD20 and the 2 diffusers. I have a similar setup with an LD10. I have replaced the batteries with Lithium AA's for enhanced shelf life and cold weather performance. I also have the CR123 body for it, to maximise battery flexibility.

My kit also contains a full change of clothes, with additional insulation and waterproof layers. Also a pair of hiking shoes.

A recent addition I added was a couple of cans of Red Bull, useful if I need to be awake for an extended period.

[enki_ck]

Nice and useful setup and I would like to see the list too.

Judging by the pics though there are a few things I'd change/add.

Are those Duracell batteries primaries or Duraloops (rebranded Eneloops - those would be OK)? And I can't make out what those in the blister pack are.   As Millhouse said, I'd change that to Energiser Lithiums. Much longer shelf life, no leakage and better performance.

I'd throw away that lighter and get a real Bic lighter. Those things tend to lose gas on their own and will be empty when you need it the most. A real Bic will last years. Also I'd add some matches, just in case. Maybe even a Zippo/IMCO style lighter -> wind proof and you can fill it with anything flammable.

Also, WATER. You have lots of food but I see no water. And you'll need water sooner than you'll need food. Even getting stuck in traffic jam on a highway, first you'll need is water.

I don't have anything as elaborate in my car though. I currently have: change of clothes, flashlight (47s Quark AA^2 ), LM ST300, 2L of water, a blanket, sleeping bag, first aid kit (required by law here and you have to learn first aid and CPR to be able to take the drivers exam), small army style shovel. I'm a smoker so I always have fire.

I think I might upgrade it though with a few things I see in your bag.

[Likeablefish]

Glad you guys are liking the kit, in regards to water I usually have a few 1.5 L bottles in the boot. Anyway heres the list, left to right ish

Quechau S15 Doss bag
Beal 30m Rope
Lifesystems Mountain leader FAK with CC light, Whistle, Cylume
2 x Bushcraft Survival Bags
Foil Poncho
5.11 Rush 24

Nabaiji Swimming costume bag
5 x Cylume
Fenix Ld10 + headband
3 x 4 Energizer lithium AA
1 x 4 energizer lithium AAA
6 x Duracell Alkaline AAA
Fenix Ld20
Notepad
Binatone MR 600

Nabaiji Swimming costume bag
Tribord microfibre towel
Original source black mint hair and body
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Tissues
Listerine
Suncream
Wet wipes

Hand warmers
4 x Cylumes
Costco Leather work gloves
Dust mask
Fenix Ld05
Sharpie
Mars bars
Atwood rope co urban paracord

North Face Base camp travel cannister
MSR Pocket Rocket
Coleman gas
Princes beef stew
All day brekfast
Spork
Maximuscle electrolytes
Maximuscle viper bars
Corned beef
Pineapple
Lighter
Flint
Wind proof matches

North face base camp travel cannister
Thick bailer wire
Thin bailer wire
Lighter
Sharpening rod
Duct tape
Electrical tape
CC EOD breacher bar
CC mini pry bar
Magnetic teloscopic rod
Bits from swisstool
Stanley pen screwdriver
Electricians screwdriver
Stanley full size screwdriver
Stanley stubby screwdriver
Tape measure
Sewing kit
Small spring side cutters
Havy duty sidecutters
Plasticuffs
Cableties

I can also fit 3 x 500 ml bottles of water into the bag but ive not replen'd yet

[Millhouse]

Very comprehensive  . Liking you have a backup light in the form of an LD05.

[Nhoj]

That is a very comprehensive kit. I like it.

[jekostas]

What, you need more than a credit card, pair of sunglasses and a pack of Lucky Strikes?

Wow have I been doing things wrong...

[enki_ck]

What, you need more than a credit card, pair of sunglasses and a pack of Lucky Strikes?

Wow have I been doing things wrong...

You forgot the lighter and bottle opener.

[Grail Knight]

What no MREs or fire steel?   

Nice kit nonetheless.

[nuphoria]

Thanks for the breakdown.

I love threads like this... bag contents have always fascinated me

[Likeablefish]

I listed my fire steel just as flint and as for MREs I just got my all day breakfasts

[Taxi Dad]

cheers Likeablefish 
i'm always interested in otherfolks bags, much like 'multitools' i'm still working towards the perfect set up and it's great to see what other people use

[Likeablefish]

It's great to finally have it to a stage where I'm happy with it. I just want to add some sort of shelter sheet and a few other bits maybe a waterproof sleeping bag cover then if I'm not in the car I'm pretty much covered.

 

[Nhoj]

In my opinion a necessity you need is a water filter. And if you do, don't get a ceramic one, they clog easy

[Dr Gonzo]

My EDC is my urban survival kit



Wallet/Coin pouch
Key wallet with Copper Maratac AAA and Leatherman Micra
Bandana
Vintage Victorinox Alox Pioneer
4Sevens Quark MiNi 123 Ti
Brass Zippo with Jet insert

[Likeablefish]

A good point on the water filter, not something I had considered yet. Having thought about it as I'm getting pretty full I may try one of those filter straws  I'm not sure how good they are but they're definitely compact

[Millhouse]

maybe a waterproof sleeping bag cover then if I'm not in the car I'm pretty much covered.
 

I'd suggest a gore-tex bivy bag.

[Lynn LeFey]

Maybe I'm missing something...

You're carrying a stove, but no mess kit?

If you've never tried cooking canned food (in the can) over a stove before, you really need to see if you can manage more than burning the bottom while leaving the rest cold. This is particularly true with the more solid stuff, like the corned beef. I've never been able to get a can of beef stew adequately warmed up without burning the smurf out of it except when I could place it beside (not on top of) a fire, and let it warm up while stirring. My suggestion here would be just ditch the stove altogether. Use the weight for something more useful.

Also, you have a filter mask, but you should also consider earplugs and safety goggles. The earplugs take up almost no space, so why not? And virtually any place you'll want a filter mask, you'll also want goggles.

[nate j]

Good topic.  Come to think of it, I need to update a few things and re-verify my list against my physical kit, but here's my basic list:

knife sharpener
Cooler
Travel Pack of Antibacterial Wipes (15 wipes)
Travel Pack of Standard Wipes (16 wipes)
Immodium Multisyptom Relief Chewables
Mainstay 3600-Calorie Emergency Rations
Stainless Steel Large Cup/Small Pot
Sterno Canned Cooking Fuel
Light My Fire Firesteel, Army Model
Mylar Space Blankets
Bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol
Victorinox Swisstool
Folding Camp Shovel
Fenix E01 LED Flashlight w/ Lithium Battery
Red Bandana
Victorinox Electrician Plus
100 ft. of 550 paracord
Fork & Spoon
Plastic Trash Bags
Roll of Duct Tape
Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter
Sterno Single Burner Folding Stove
Mountain House Meals (2 servings each)
Celox Pad
Emergency (Crank) Radio/Flashlight
Compass
ziploc bags
whistle
signal mirror
Ziploc bag of dryer lint
tweezers
safety pins
Larger plastic bags (55 gallon)
Maps
work gloves
Maxi Pads
write in the rain notebook

In addition to the above, I generally have a small tool kit, jumper cables, and a case of 1/2 liter bottles of water, plus my EDC stuff...

[Likeablefish]

Hoping to get a titanium pot to compliment my stove, ive just not gotten round to it yet 

[colt 1911]

Nice get home bag . Good job.

[comis]

Glad you guys are liking the kit, in regards to water I usually have a few 1.5 L bottles in the boot. Anyway heres the list, left to right ish

Quechau S15 Doss bag
Beal 30m Rope
Lifesystems Mountain leader FAK with CC light, Whistle, Cylume
2 x Bushcraft Survival Bags
Foil Poncho
5.11 Rush 24

Nabaiji Swimming costume bag
5 x Cylume
Fenix Ld10 + headband
3 x 4 Energizer lithium AA
1 x 4 energizer lithium AAA
6 x Duracell Alkaline AAA
Fenix Ld20
Notepad
Binatone MR 600

Nabaiji Swimming costume bag
Tribord microfibre towel
Original source black mint hair and body
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Tissues
Listerine
Suncream
Wet wipes

Hand warmers
4 x Cylumes
Costco Leather work gloves
Dust mask
Fenix Ld05
Sharpie
Mars bars
Atwood rope co urban paracord

North Face Base camp travel cannister
MSR Pocket Rocket
Coleman gas
Princes beef stew
All day brekfast
Spork
Maximuscle electrolytes
Maximuscle viper bars
Corned beef
Pineapple
Lighter
Flint
Wind proof matches

North face base camp travel cannister
Thick bailer wire
Thin bailer wire
Lighter
Sharpening rod
Duct tape
Electrical tape
CC EOD breacher bar
CC mini pry bar
Magnetic teloscopic rod
Bits from swisstool
Stanley pen screwdriver
Electricians screwdriver
Stanley full size screwdriver
Stanley stubby screwdriver
Tape measure
Sewing kit
Small spring side cutters
Havy duty sidecutters
Plasticuffs
Cableties

I can also fit 3 x 500 ml bottles of water into the bag but ive not replen'd yet

I am a fan of having kits in car and immediate survival kit on person, especially if going outdoor or driving long distance.  For friendly reminder/alternatives, I'd like to recommend:


1) First aid components  I'm no medical expert but a SAM split, alcohol wipes(double as tinder), tourniquet kit, antibacterial ointment, large sized gauze pad and bandage(again tinder) could be very helpful in context of a car kit.


2) More forms of signal group.  You'd probably have that, but a large size signal mirror requires no power and is noticeable even miles away on a clear day.  Some orange marker strips will also be good contrast to attract rescue.


3) Some form of water treatment.  I highly recommend Aquamira Frontier straw, for it is able to procure approx 75 gallon of clean immediate drinkable water.  Or the Chlorine dioxide tablets for small size factor  and a few 1 liter(32oz) collapsible plactic water bag by Nasco, this setup is great if water is not easily accesible(for ex, a steep drop to ice cold water)


4) I noticed gas container in the pack, but I'd advise against it.  Since this is a car kit, and it might be exposed to high heat during summer.  Probably safer to go without.  If some form of fuel is needed, maybe the Esbit portable stove and tabs?  If they could go on plane, I'd assume they should be somewhat safe for car as well.


5)  Spare cell phone battery/solar powered charger won't hurt either.  Usually when there is road, a higher chance it will have reception.  Offroad is totally another story.


6)  Lighter is great, put I'd prefer those adjustable flame ones for easy to use and visibility on fuel.  Bic is overrated.  Also I usually put garden twist tie below the lighter fuel button to prevent accidental gas leak.  And I have spark-lite and ferro rod/striker as alternatives for fire starting.


7) A ResQme would be nice.  Might need this to rescue, either personal or others.

[Etherealicer]

5)  Spare cell phone battery/solar powered charger won't hurt either.  Usually when there is road, a higher chance it will have reception.  Offroad is totally another story.

Actually, a spare cell phone (not just the battery) is probably the first thing that an urban survival kit needs. Besides Cash this is probably the most useful URBAN survival tool.

Besides that I would add the following:
- Signal Vest (Very helpful if you have to secure an accident site and legally required if you travel through Switzerland and many other European countries)
- Bandana (They are surprisingly versatile, see here), I use it most often to cool down by making it wet (yep public fountains everywhere).
- Phone-/Toll- money (if you live in a country where there still are payphones and/or where there are toll roads).
- WD40 (Its Yoda to Duct Tape Vader, the opposing force. Engeneering Flowchart)