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?
There was an interesting thread on survival kits: http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/64717-carry-survival-pack-in-prius.html
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!
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.
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.
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.
Good list, but I suggest a few changes: 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. 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.
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.)
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!
Based on other threads, I understand after using the foam flat tire sealers, expect to throw away the tire and the TPMS sensor. The later will be expensive.
I carry an eletric air pump to inflate flat tires. 90% of the flats I have gotten were slow leaks and usually pumping the tires back up will give me a few hours of driving to get my tire fix without ever needing to reach for the spare donut. My pump also has an emergency flasher light that can also be converted to solid white flash light. I use it regularly to check tire pressure with the built in gauge. I also have a head band flash light, that uses LED. If i put a set of lithium AA batteries in it, it should last about 10 years without needing to change them. When you have to change the tire or do something in the dark, you want both hands to be free and available. There are new fire extinguishers the size of a can of hair spray. They take up very little room in the trunk. Lastly, a pack of beef jerky. Emergency food or just a snack
The new sealers are safe to use with TPMS. It's still a mess to clean up, but it doesn't kill the sensors. Tom
In Europe (For sure in France), I know that it is required that every driver keep a safety (orange or bright yellow) vest with reflector strips in the vehicle in case of emergency. They have several other required items, but it was the vest that I thought was very smart. They shoudl require that in all cars here too. Only a few bucks, but they may save your life.
Gorilla power wrench to provide the extra bit of leverage to deal with the awkward positions you'll be in when needing to change a flat tire on the road. Used to carry an automotive fire extinguisher. Can't tell how many times I've been the only one around at work with a long set of jumper cables.
I carry a first aid kit, four-pound fire extinguisher, wool blanket, reflective triangle, reflective vest, flashlight, jack & wrench to change a wheel, and small emergency spare wheel. Also some spare light bulbs & fuses, and a paint repair kit . All fits nicely into the space under the trunk floor .
