Survival Bag For My Daughters

[hjmoosejaw]

My daughters headed for an event in Cleveland the other night kind of against my wishes. (approx. 82 miles) One is 18 and one is 16. I previously thought their mother was going with them. Saturday night I come to find out they were going themselves. They didn't leave till about 10pm. I found out later the place was to close at midnight. Needless to say, an argument broke out, wife taking their side. "Oh, they'll be carefull, I told you about this the other day, BLah, Blah, Blah". While I thought our day was coming to a close, they're getting ready to hit the road. Admittingly, I had forgot about the wife and I's conversation. Being a guy, I do that sometimes. So, SURPRISE! They're out the door. Anyway, I decided that I'm going to put together a bag for them in the car that is specifically for them. 1,2, or all three of them. They had their phones and mace with them. But I want them to be able to get away from the car if they have to and hide in the woods or down the street or whatever. (in all kinds of weather) Urban area, maybe stay with the car (locked) or down the street in a gas station or restaurant . Dark, deserted highway, maybe back in the trees or up over a hill, where they could observe the car while staying it touch with the police or us. Have a car horn signal agreed to with the cops or tow truck guy or whatever, so they know it's cool to come out of hiding. Staying with the car would be okay in most situations. But just in case. I will have like a backpack with a couple of smaller packs, like a fanny pack for each of them. In case they get separated.
Individual bags:
1) walkie talkies
2)space blanket
3)snacks
4) hand warmers
5)weapon (mace, knife,etc.)
6)whistle
7)flashlight
8)lighter, fire starter kit
9) without typing a whole list, whatever else

Main Bag:
Blankets, Food, Fire starter kit, Tarp, Batteries, Red blinking light, better weapons, Flashlight, small set of binoculars to observe from a distance, first aid kit, etc.

I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out, gotta get ready for work soon. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[hjmoosejaw]

I can give you all sorts of ideas, but unless they pick out the bags and agree with the contents they probably won't use them.

My 15yo daughter picked out her "possibles pouch", and while I helped run down the list of potential needs, she chose the items and a few more I didn't think of.

I am now going through the same process with my 7yo boy.

That's funny! I was thinking the same thing on my way to work. They would have to pick out stuff, especially the bags themselves. You have to be chic while defending yourself I guess. The mace I just bought them looks like a lipstick case (pink). I was in archery at Gander Mountain and they walked up to me and said "We want these". They also each had an airsoft Sig P226 they wanted. Sometimes they just make a father so damn proud. LOL! My son and I both have real 226s. I told the wife " It looks like you're the only one in the family now without a226".

[thatGirl]

I'm guessing you already have the car outfitted with survival items such as wool blankets, water, small shovel, extra oil and coolant, etc... Do you already have one of those rechargeable battery boosters in the car for them jump start a battery without involving a second vehicle?  The one's that are just a rechargeable battery with jumper cables coming out of the box work great!  Don't get any of the battery chargers that are supposed to work through the cigarette lighter, although it's a great idea to be able to stay safe inside your car while you recharge the battery, they are junk. 

Personally I like having headlamps instead of flashlights, frees your hands up and makes it easier to run.  I'm guessing Petzl makes a headlamp in whatever color matches their cell phones.  Sounds like your girls already have their heads on straight, but you can always go with the adage that the more they know about cars, camping, guns, gear, etc... the more impressed the boys will be with them- at least the one's worth their salt.

Good luck with that, girls are hard on dad's.  I broke my dad's heart quite a bit in my teens...

[hjmoosejaw]

I need to get a battery booster. Good input, and yeah, daughters are rough. My son was a breeze to raise. Oh well, love em all equally!

[thatGirl]

I know you were specifically thinking about a survival bag for the girls, but I was thinking about a few things to mention to you from a female perspective.  First off, do they all know auto basics 101 to help prevent this getting stuck scenario, such as checking the oil, changing a tire, adding coolant or water if overheating? 

I ask this because I've recently been thinking about how I have amazing parents that have taught me a lot, but never told me to check the oil, or showed me how to change a tire, or jump a car battery, before putting the car keys in my hand.  I don't think it's intentional, but girls just aren't taught the same things as boys.  I was never told I wasn't capable of fixing shit and building shit, but I also wasn't told that I was capable- those things were never expected of me.  I did dig a lot of trenches and I hoed a lot of weeds though.  That's a great way to punish your kids for drinking btw, make them dig pipe and landscape hungover- either they'll quit drinkin', or your yard will start looking fantastic! 

I attribute most of my familiarity with motors, appliances, and electronics, as well as camping and survival skills to TG, not that I have much, but enough to get out of some jams and enjoy camping regardless of the weather.

It's also good to familiarize them with the MacGyver strategy.  Just because you don't have an item, doesn't mean you can't make it or make something else work.  I've been slacking lately, but I usually try to wear a belt in case I need a tourniquet, to secure something, to tug on something, etc...  I also keep a pocket knife on me at all times.  The knife I carry is small and unassuming, but I could do some damage with it, cut a seat-belt loose, make kindling, use it with flint or magnesium rod as a fire starter, etc...  A hank of rope is always a good idea.  Of course Duct tape can be used for pretty much anything.  I also keep a tool bag in my car with a coping saw, a hammer, pliers, wire cutters, etc... I keep a little photon key-chain light on my keys that is bright as shit, perfect for looking under the hood.  Rain gear is nice but you can always throw in some emergency ponchos (maybe in the fanny packs) if your worried about the space and weight.  A tarp might be a good idea, they can role up in it to stay warm and dry if they're hiding out for the night, and it's small enough to take up minimal space in a backpack.  I don't know if it would be overkill for your particular situation, but they make compact solar chargers that can be used to charge a cell phone, they work pretty well, in daylight of course.

That's all I can think of for now...

[hjmoosejaw]

A lot of good ideas Tgirl. They can do the basics. My 18 y/o is a tinkerer. My 16 y/o, not so much. I'm not bragging, but it pertains to this reply. I've been blessed with two daughters that have very high IQs. They didn't get it from me. Come to think of it, the mailman seems pretty bright. But it's weird, they're both smart ( a lot of times, smart ass'd ), but in two different ways. The 18 y/o tinkerer is just that. She has to find out how it works, why it works, and all that. She's an EMT, so that could come in handy.  The 16 y/o doesn't have that curiosity. She doesn't have to dissect everything. She just logs everything in. Once she takes in information, it stays there for good. Sometimes, they just amaze me. But being teens, a lot of times, they just piss me off. LOL! Yeah, I'll have to get them out when it is complete to familiarize themselves with everything in the bag. Good idea about the emergency ponchos, and the belt for a tourniquet. Thanks for your input. I appreciate it!