Vehicle stuff

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As I mentioned earlier, one of my regrets is that I didn’t take my FAK with me on my trip to Venus Jr. I was wondering if, in fact, I had in that FAK the items I would have needed for that particular episode…specifically, a non-adhesive dressing of some type, some rolled gauze, and some tape. Turns out, yes, I had all that in there. Cool. But then I figured I better double-check what might be lacking. As it turns out, I seem to have never gotten around to distributing burn jel into that particular kit. So, off to Amazon for Burn Jel…both the ‘ketchup packets’ of the stuff, individual dressings, and a bottle of the stuff.  I’ve used this product in the past for some kitchen accidents and it works wonderfully. In fact, I’ve had some burns bad enough to keep me awake at night and this stuff has made it so I can sleep.

This little episode of gear-inspection was also driven by the need for me to review, update, replenish, and re-gear my in-vehicle supplies. In the winter I try to keep a big ol’  Pelican case of winter survival gear in the vehicle ‘just in case’. But, during the summer-ish times there’s not as much need for that much bulk and mass taking up space. Since the summer stuff doesn’t require as much bulky clothing and sleepgear as winter, I use a medium size pack. Its the well-made and highly-recommended SpecOps Brand Recon Ruck.  Don’t let that MSRP fool you, they can be had for a lot less. I think I got mine on sale somewhere for around $80..but, that was a while ago. Anyway, the nice thing about it is that it can be used as a non-frame pack (like a Med. ALICE pack) but can also be used in conjunction with an ALICE frame, which are pretty ubiquitous and affordable. Yeah, the ALICE was supplanted by the MOLLE packs but this isn’t for humping the boonies, its for just keeping my gear in one place. Anyway, highly recommend.

The only real difference between the winter and summer gear is, as I said, bulky sleeping gear and extra clothing. I don’t carry extra water because SOP is to have a 5-gallon jerry can of the stuff on hand.

I live in one of the more densely populated parts of Montana, so sitting on a road somewhere and not seeing a soul for days at a time is fairly unheard of. However, I don’t plan to never stray from this part of Montana. Sometimes I like to go to gun shows in far and distant lands..like Kalispell, Butte, Helena, Billings, etc. And then there’s a much greater possibility that a vehicle issue might put you in a position to twiddle your thumbs for quite a while. But, between the standard vehicle gear and my Bag O’ Tricks, I like my odds.

And, of course, no matter the season the prevailing wisdom is Stay With The Vehicle. Or Else.
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7 thoughts on “Vehicle stuff”

  1. I picked up Water Jel after you recommended it, and I now recommend it to all my friends. That stuff works WAY better than any over the counter burn gel that I’ve tried. I’m horrible in the kitchen, its a rare week when I don’t manage to at least lightly scorch a finger, and that stuff has saved me from some serious pain. I love it. I’ve got like 5 bottles of it around the house now.

  2. Once upon a time the state of Wyoming had a very good list of recommendations for supplies to keep in your vehicle during the winter on their DOT website…… Shovel, bag or 2 of sand, road flares, those reflective triangles, flashlight, spare batteries, blankets, rain/snow gear, work socks and boots, extra warm clothes, energy foods, gloves, reading material, emergency radio, first aid kit, etc along with tips on driving in snow. Don’t know if it’s still there or not.

  3. We carry the burn gel on our work trucks but, thankfully, I haven’t had a chance to use it.

    Having been to the burn center twice now I’ve found that deep tissue burns should be immediately cooled with clean water and covered with a clean dressing. If the gel gets this done then it should be a part of the kit, and (like a tourniquet) hope that you never have to use it.

  4. FYI – when your hands are burned and you need help with bathroom duties in a military hospital, the person they send doesn’t look like Taylor Swift, more like Dennis Rodman. For that reason alone I almost always have a pair of gloves on.

  5. I’ve used the Burn Free brand that was 6 years ‘expired’. Even the ketchup packet edges were coming un-laminated and it still worked fantastic. Thanks for the reminder to check the home kit and will be reordering some more.

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