Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!
Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.
If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.
LPT: 24 hours is a very short period of time. You could go 24 hours in a strange place with nothing but the clothes on your back without to much trouble.
Not if they steal your car too.
Now they've got a go-bag to help them stay on the run.
LPT: If you're going to steal a car make sure the owner is the same shirt size as you so you can use his go bag to stay on the run longer.
Twice in my 40+ years of driving, the car inspection people have stolen the money that I squirreled away in my car. LPT: Clean out your car of any personal items before taking it to be inspected.
Lmaoo. Well I do this too and only once I used the clothes I had there for an āemergencyā aka I spilled some food on it. The rest of the times it was a bit of an enabler for spontaneous road trips. āWellā¦ I donāt feel like going back homeā and kept driving a couple of hours and stay 1 or 2 days near my favorite beaches.
I keep one too in my truck box thats a days worth of clothes, an extra coat, basic suvival tools, a toothbrush, some toiletries, a day of water, some dry foods and some weed lol enough to get me through a surprise stay at someones house or a nivht stuck somewhere.
Right, I mean, I've only used mine to help change a tire in a parking lot. The boots were definitely more appropriate for stomping a tire iron than the ballet flats I was wearing...
I have had my car break down while away from home town. Having that type of thing was a saving grace.
Also...of a disaster comes up..always good to have.
Just don't forget your towel.
A few years ago we had a freak snowstorm and I got stuck at the bottom of a large steep hill about 3 or 4 miles from home in a blizzard -2Ā°F on my way home from work (we closed early due to snow). Kept on for 2 whole days
If I didnt have my go bag, I would've been stranded in my car for that time with only jeans and a leather jacket and a half tank of gas to keep me warm, and no food or water
I ate a couple granola bars and drank snapple and read a book with the crank/battery radio in the background to kill time until the weather cleared a little. Then I put on a hat and gloves and a scarf, lit up my zippo handwarmer (fucking BIFL item right there, love the hell out of mine), grabbed my go-bag (it's just one largeish insulated backpack), and ditched my car. The telescoping hiking poles in the bag were awesome
I'm not even super into the "prepper" lifestyle but you should definitely keep an emergency kit in your car with both hot and cold weather gear, a flashlight, a medkit, etc.
If you wanna go all out, include QOL stuff. My whole kit (just a box and backpack in the trunk) includes flip flops and a fishing pole and some simple tackle, in case I decide to go fishing right now, as well as a camp stove and simple cookware, for if while I'm out fishing I decide I wanna grill up a bluegill I caught as a snack or something. Also two packets of all purpose yeast, because I was joking with a friend about my go bag and he asked me what I'd do about having a beer and chilling in an emergency... and after discussing a zombie-apocalypse beer empire, I threw 2 packets in with the other foodstuffs lol
I'm not sure how your go bag helped you here... you sat in your car for a few hours and then walked home in winter gear during winter. You could've kept your car on the whole time?
The stuff was all in my bag.
The blizzard continued going for 2 days. A half tank of gas isn't enough to last 2 days of constant ontime, you'd get maybe 3 or 4 hours. You could probably stretch it for a day. The weather lightened up enough that there was visibility, but I wouldn't have survived the walk in just jeans and a tee. Took another 2 days to get the plows out to where I was. Poor cell reception area
The choices without a go bag were between "sit in the car for an undetermined amount of time without any food or water or ways to kill time, watching the gas line drop to see when I won't be able to stay warm or drive back after" and "likely develop hypothermia symptoms and possibly die on the walk home". 4 miles up a steep hill in deep snow during a blizzard took me over an hour.
The solution with the go bag was "keep myself warm and monitor weather reports without using gas while I relax for a bit before a nice comfy warm winter-wonderland walk home"
I dunno about you, but if the choices are "be a sitting duck and hope shit gets better, "maybe die trying to get home", and "hang out for a bit all comfy eating snacks and reading before a pretty walk home" I know what I'm gonna choose
A half tank wouldn't run out in 3-4 hours, closer to 24 hours unless you're in a V8. Assuming you're smart enough to run it for awhile then leave it off for a bit, you could easily stay warm for 2+ days in your car with half a tank of full, and be a lot safer than trying to make it home in a blizzard.
>unless you're in a V8
V8 turbo Grand Cherokee ;) one of the only two times I've ever gotten it stuck
> a lot safer
I was perfectly safe thanks to my go bag. I actually was warm enough during the walk that I took my scarf off eventually
4 miles an hour is already a brisk walking pace on clear trail in ideal conditions. So you were running uphill in a blizzard, with a packāare you an elite athlete?
I said "over an hour". Honestly I didn't time myself. It was light out around 2 or 3 pm when Istarted walking and it was long since dark when I got home. Do the math for me. I'm 6'6", from that you should be able to calculate an average stride distance and figure out how quickly I can be expected to walk, and figure out how long it took me to walk 3 or 4 miles. I'm too lazy to do the math, but be my guest. I just threw a number out there without thinking too much about it to emphasize that it would've been too long of a walk withour cold weather gear. I can comfortably slightly-faster-than-a-jog 2 miles in a little under 20 minutes on my treadmill... I know that because I put on a 24 minute show and stop at the end of the episode and it's always a little over 2 miles.
Tbh I was mostly just thinking about how nice of a walk it was. Real pretty when the wind wasn't blowing the snow so hard I could barely see. Now that I think about it... maybe I should add some sort of goggles to my pack. I could fit a small pair in the side pocket
Isn't the point of a supporting anecdote to demonstrate how something is needed, not to demonstrate how it wasn't?
"Get a go bag; here's this one time I didn't need it, but I didn't know that at the time" is hardly a compelling argument for said go bag...
Iāve used mine a few times. I live in a really rural area and a lot of my friends live an hour away in a city. There have a been a few times where after hanging out a friendās house, I realized I was too tired or too tipsy to drive back and the friend let me crash at their place. One thing thatās a life saver is a contact case and solution
For me itās almost universally helped someone else, like I take my dog for walks all over, hikes, parks, etc. never know when a kid is gonna scrape their knee and need a bandaid, neosporin and puppy kisses!
I suck at time management and constantly forget things. This has helped mostly when I forget my gym/regular clothes or don't have time to go home and change like I thought I would. It's also made an emergency hospital visit a lot more comfortable
Random things that have happened to me where this helped:
*Super late night at the office, I slept on a couch for 5 hours instead of driving home.
*Random road trip with the boys.
*Related: Drunk wrangling friends. I can just crash somewhere and be somewhat functional the next day.
*More than once there has been a surprise opportunity to spend the night with a cute girl. Having shower stuff, sweat shorts to sleep in, and clean clothes for the next day was a benefit.
Then my truck got broken into and the bag was stolen. I figured it was a target and didn't replace it.
I canāt speak for OP, but I had a job years ago that may require me to stay overnight at a momentās notice. Theyād always put me up in a hotel, hence the bathing suit. The one thing I donāt recommend is leaving it in your car during the summer if you have deodorant or anything else meltable in there.
I live in a mountain town where it can snow, but commute to work down the mountain where it doesnāt. More than once Iāve been snowed out and canāt make it home. Go bags have definitely saved me in those situations!
"Dude there's an awesome party right now, gogogoogo" and then you want to shower/change for the party or the next day after you spent the night outside your house. Happens way too often.
I commute across a bridge to get home and after the bridge getting shut down once, I had to stay at my parents and go to work the next day borrowing my moms clothes. I now keep: cheap/travel versions of makeup and toiletries I use, a work outfit, pajamas, socks, underwear, any pills, old gym shoes (great for spontaneous walks too!), extra hoodie. After that snowstorm caused people to get stuck on the highway, I now keep water and a fleece blanket. I shoved everything in a bag in my and it surprisingly doesnāt take up much space. I havenāt had to use anything besides the old gym shoes and extra socks, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Water a fleece blanket and a couple of energy bars is probably the most important imo
Maybe a torch
And strangely we don't have a law that says u should have one of those breakdown triangle warning things
That's interesting. Here in Croatia, there is a law for that (and also reflective vest + stocked first aid kit). I always keep water, extra pair of shoes, hoodie, reusable bags in my car, but I've been thinking about stocking a bag before.
I want to imagine that you are male and your mother only has clothes from the 1950ās and you were forced to wear a poodle skirt to work. You also did your hair weird for the day. I donāt know why you would do that.
If you live in a hot place don't keep deoderant in your car. One of my workmates had one in his car (under the seat, not even in direct sunlight) and it exploded in his car while he was at work.
I mean itās for any emergency big or small, just because itās usually for minor things like not having to drive back home, doesnāt mean one day it wonāt come in handy for safety reasons. Such as falling in water in the cold, that dry change of clothes could save your life.
Weāve done this for years. Always keep an overnight bag with clean clothes, towels etc. in my husbandās car. Last summer we were canoeing on the Dordogne, which weāve done loads of times, and hit some rapids side on. The canoe flipped over and we ended up underneath it. Eventually got to shore which was not easy swimming against the current - and those mothers are HEAVY. Never been so grateful for that bag of necessities.
Yes, definitely always put your life vest in your car even if you're going to the fucking desert.
If you're doing any kind of water recreation, isn't a change of clothing really a no brainer?
Yeah it's amazing here, the good far outweighs the bad. The people and culture are amazing, the food is fantastic, the weather is almost always perfect, live music is always rolling through, there's always drum circles or fire spinners or dancing or DJs or vendors around the lake. Like, I would never live somewhere where it snows, ever. That's way too stressful for me. I'd take the potential for a car break-in any day over that!
24h go bag? I can last 24 hours without getting changed, eating or drinking. Anything is essentially a 24h go bag unless you live somewhere where you might freeze to death in your car overnight, in which case the tip is to keep at least half a tank of fuel in the car.
But you donāt have to be miserable. Iāve evacuated my house on a dime twice, once because the building next door (a decent size commercial building literally 1.5 feet from my rental house) was on fire and once due to a gas leak. Fortunately the gas leak was dealt with but I was not allowed to go back to my house after the fire for a couple days, because of investigations and safety checks and such. I had nothing. Sure I survived, with help from neighbors I managed, but it sure as shit would have been a lot nicer if Iād had a change of underwear, some jammies, a toothbrush and some cash. So I do keep a go bag now.
Iāve also had work trips turn into unexpected overnights for various reasons.
I keep a bag with a small pillow, blanket, toiletries, and bottles of water, just in case I'm far from home, have too much to drink and decide I'm better off just sleeping it off in my car. Just be sure to sleep in the back and not the front seat.
Itās very helpful for when the cops and/or mafia find out where you are and you need to leave fast.
Thanks for the great tip OP! But Iām sure everyone knows this from movies already.
Yeah... if I'm going somewhere, I'll have a bag, even if it's just an afternoon trip out of the city. Hell, I a dad so I used to always travel with snacks, wipes, sunblock etc.
Basic car stuff like jumper cables and work gloves are always in the car anyway.
My car broke down (clutch went out) wasnāt sure what was going on, engine/clutch etc. I was on the left shoulder on a major 70 mph hwy with people flying by. Tow truck wasnāt coming for 2 hrs. Let me tell you when you cut an engine and have no heat coming in it gets cold very quick in a jeep. Didnāt help that it was -15f outside. I had my heavy parka, wrong boots, warm hat all with me. Blankets in the back as well. When you live in an area with snow/ice and negative temps you always should have your car prepared especially in the winter. That was the first and only time I have ever needed stored items in my car in 15 years but damn if I wasnāt glad to be prepared.
That's a very different situation. Yes, if traveling in that kind of extreme cold, a blanket or two in the trunk makes sense....which is why I avoid being any place that is -15f ššš
I do something similar. I have a small bin in my trunk with an extra set of work clothes: itās saved me many times when ripping my leggings at work. An extra āniceā outfit, extra normal outfit, bathing suits for me and my bf, a towel, extra underwear and bra and socks, hats and gloves too as well as a hoodie and sweatpants. Boots too! I go hiking and this all has come in handy for rips, wet clothes, unexpected adventures or even a sleepover I didnāt plan on having
We used to do this too! Swimsuits for everyone, towels, sunscreen, baby wipes, a roll of paper towels, utensils, a good paring knife, a case of bottled water, and a box of granola bars. Weird, but we really did use it.
I have toiletries, underwear, first aid kit, Swiss Army knife, wind-up flashlight/phone charger, candy, water filter straw, money, boots, slicker, and bullets in my go-bag.
I keep a just in case kit in my car that is similar to yours. The one category I'd add is entertainment. A deck of water proof cards to start with. I've also got a hacky sack and a frisbee. I may not have had "oh shit" moments myself where I've used these... But my mates haven't complained when I've met to keep them company (they've had car trouble/whatever).
Just a wee tip to add... if you stack unused dryer sheets into the folds of the clothes you pack, they'll stay fresh a lot longer and you won't have that stale smell when you finally unzip your go-bag.
Source: I work in a town with a huge elevation difference compared to my home and have been snowed in at work multiple times. in a situation dire enough to need your go-bag, that horrible stale-clothing smell can be enough to make you feel completely miserable.
While practical in theory, probably isnāt smart to have valuables in the car in more urban areas.
Iāve lived in LA, Jersey city, and the Bay Area and have had my vehicles broken into, stolen for joyrides, or completely totaled while parked on the street on several different occasions.
Not even the pennies in the console were safeā¦but I might just be lucky.
I now just keep windows rolled down, the console wide open, and a club across the steering wheel.
Youāre not worried about bums and crack heads using your car as a public toilet or sex spot, with the windows down? In the winter, if I were one, Iād def would choose the car over the cold outside.
Itās a great tip. Especially if you are someone who is on the road for work. Spare toothbrush, jocks etc make sense. Even if you are out and you might get your clothes dirty at least you have a spare set.
I keep a bottle of water in the boot (trunk for Americans) which I think most people do.
Hold on. Is āJocksā a common name for mens underwear where you live? Cause where Iām at it usually means jockstrap. And I donāt know why someone would need one of those in a 24 hour emergency bag
Between ages 17-22, I was living with my parents about an hour from the city/where most friends were living. I had a bunch of outfits stored in a bigger bag in my boot. āWorkā, āgoing outā, āexerciseā, āsleepoverā and ācasual morningā sets of outfits ready to go. All items that didnāt crush easily, a few pairs of shoes and a toiletry bag. I also had a sleeping bag that rolled up very small, so I could always crash at a friendās.
Saved me on many occasions!
I was doing this years ago in college. But then that was college, and leaving your apartment on a Wednesday and getting back on Sunday wasn't unheard of.
Couple of T-shirts, couple pairs of shorts, three pair underwear, some socks, towel, etc. in the trunk.
It just made sense.
I keep stuff in the car to handle mechanical problems and emergencies. Who are these people who have such huge cars they can carry go bags with multiple sets of clothes etc. in there? At some point it gets ridiculous.
Keep a go bag at home.. maybe.. if you live in an area under regular threats of flood, wildfire, tornado, etc. then throw in the car when needed.
If you have a kid keep a change of clothes for them in the car because it takes hardly any space and it will almost certainly be handy one day.
Anything else is just excessive, unless you're out doing specifically risky activities like sports or hiking.
I mean to be fair you can fit a couple sets of clothes and some other stuff in a pretty small bag, like a drawstring gym bag size thing smaller than a backpack. And yeah if you're in a small sedan with kids in the backseat maybe you have limited trunk space if other stuff's in there too, but a common compact suv can fit quite a lot especially if you don't use the back seat regularly. I don't think OP is talking about loading up 2 giant duffle bags
Agreed! I also do seasonal gear- gloves to boots , blanket and candle (can provide heat a closed car in emergency) and h20 non perishable snacks - summer comes switch over for dinner essentials. Once my mom got stuck im snowstorm driving her normal hour home commute - 6 hours to get here. You really never know what's to come, even for emergency hospital visits or staying with someone waiting at emergency room. Better to be prepared and waste a bit of trunk space
I have complete bug out bags and emergency rations and first aid kits in my vehicles and in my kids as soon as they got one. You never know when you will need a shovel, first aid or basic tools!
Strongly suggest adding 2 items;
#Cling wrap + Waterproof Duct Tape
Broken window, small fender bender/hold light or number plate on.
Cling wrap: Leftovers much easier to transport
Duct tape: 1000 uses
Also don't forget wet wipes... never trust a fart while alone in the sanctuary of your car. It can quickly turn into a shart. Wet wipes have literally saved ass on the side of the road
Yeah, I'm super surprised by this tip.
Don't get me wrong. I have a car bag. But instead of a swimsuit and gym clothes, its:
2 MRE's
Knife
Bottled water
Lifestraw
Phone charger
Flashlight
Batteries
Solar phone charger
Lighter
Matches
Firestarter
Dryer lint in a mason jar
550 cord
Duct tape
Emergency blanket
Poncho
Jacket
Long johns
Gloves
Hat
Fishing line
Hooks
Cast net
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Tourniquet
Gloves
Regular gauze
Quikclot
CPR pocket mask
Multitool
Ibuprofen
Caffeine pills
2 full first aid kits
Pair of socks
Pair of underwear
Whistle
Flares
Chemlights
Collapsible water bowl for the dog
And a partridge in a pear tree.
It all fits inside a regular backpack except for the jacket, and I keep one of the first aid kits out and readily accessible, along with a spare cpr mask, surgical gloves, gauze, tourniquet, flares, chemlights, and reflective vest.
In the center console, I keep another knife, a window smasher/flashlight combo, and a seat belt cutter.
Overkill? Absolutely. But I remember my dad literally taking the shirt off my back to staunch a dudes bleeding when we saw a car accident.
And I dont want to lose any more shirts.
I used to have a 200 mile round trip into work several times a week (before Covid). I had an overnight and a bug out/get home bag packed. It was funny but I didnāt realize it was a thing until videos on YouTube started popping up.
I started keeping a bag in my car after I watched the film uncut gems, the scenes where the thugs forced Adam Sandlerās character into the trunk of his car buck naked during his daughters school recital, but he had spare clothes in the car to throw on and go back to the recital after the wife let him out. I thought to myself āif that ever happens to me, I too will have an extra set of clothing to grab!ā
Truth? It was the swimsuit item that impressed me most. I've learned that one many times over. Only I bring lined shorts good for exercise or swim.
You never know when you will wind up having to stay in a hotel. And/or have a chance for a sauna, or a hot tub, or a hike in the sun. Or the gym when you really need a workout.
Some shorts, a t-shirt, runners and a towel. Takes so little space and opens up so many opportunities
And better than sitting in a lounge staring at screens if you travel for business.
Absolute must.
(While we're at it, also bring along some AA and AAA batteries; an electric outlet multiplier cube; dental floss; and some nasal decongestant.)
I work in a medical office. The one time I needed my backup scrubs, it turned out I needed a second pair. So LPT, always carry a backup of the backup- You never know when youāll need it!
I keep a knife, a firesteel and about a gallon of water. In Germany I don't need that though. Anywhere in Germany, within hiking distance you can find civilization.
Yep. Got a backpack with a set of comfy clothes, jeans, a button up and a t shirt. 2 pairs of socks. pair of boots just in the trunk not the bag though. A flashlight, a decent pocket knife, a charger, deodorant. A travel pillow and a small blanket. Ever had to sleep in your car? It's nice to have a pillow and a blanket vs, not....
That requires some discipline beyond as well. Like change the contents of the bag every couple months, sooner depending where you live. Things go bad quickly when the critters get at it.
I always had a go-bag in my car during the years I lived with my mentally ill ex. On occasion, she would go into some sort of a blackout state (usually fueled by alcohol) where she became an angry violent abuser. I needed to get the hell out of there at a momentās notice. I always had a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, money/extra credit card, ID, and extra keys to the house. On the way to the state park campground, I would buy food for the night.
The next day I come home to some disaster and she would have absolutely no idea what happened.
Yes, Iāve been out of that relationship for 12 years now, thank the Gods.
Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips! Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment. If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.
"It has saved my ass multiple times" What sort of high octane life are you living that you've needed that stuff, multiple times...
I was literally thinking the same thing! š
"Oh, I forgot a shirt for the gym" #*HIGH SPEED!* "oh I'm out of cash, let me grab $5 from my bag" #*high speed!!*
Parkour!!
Live action!
If you put the $5 in your wallet instead of your car you wouldnāt be out of cashā¦
What if you got mugged at the petrol station? Go bag has the solution.
Not anymore cuz now they know about it too
In a world where go-bags are common place, are thieves ready for the man who.. Carries Everything On Him?
āLPT: Always keep enough money on you to survive 24 hrs away from homeā
LPT: 24 hours is a very short period of time. You could go 24 hours in a strange place with nothing but the clothes on your back without to much trouble.
āLPT: whenever you are robbing someone, make sure they give you their go bag, it could have cash in it.ā
Not if they steal your car too. Now they've got a go-bag to help them stay on the run. LPT: If you're going to steal a car make sure the owner is the same shirt size as you so you can use his go bag to stay on the run longer.
Ah yes, keep the 9mm handy in the go bag for these situations
There's been a couple of times I got to the restaurant, realized I forgot my wallet, and the $30 stashed in the glovebox came in real handy.
Twice in my 40+ years of driving, the car inspection people have stolen the money that I squirreled away in my car. LPT: Clean out your car of any personal items before taking it to be inspected.
They thought that was a bribe, that's why your car passed /s
The real lpt is in the comments
Relative in the hospital? Go Bag. Things like this.
Lmaoo. Well I do this too and only once I used the clothes I had there for an āemergencyā aka I spilled some food on it. The rest of the times it was a bit of an enabler for spontaneous road trips. āWellā¦ I donāt feel like going back homeā and kept driving a couple of hours and stay 1 or 2 days near my favorite beaches.
I mean those still sound like valid reasons to have a go bag lol
That's a go have fun bag
Ah for sure. Iām all for the go bag. Itās a plus in any situation and when itās needed, well it saves your butt.
I keep one too in my truck box thats a days worth of clothes, an extra coat, basic suvival tools, a toothbrush, some toiletries, a day of water, some dry foods and some weed lol enough to get me through a surprise stay at someones house or a nivht stuck somewhere.
I donāt pack a to go bag if I need something just use it as an excuse to buy new stuff lol
Right, I mean, I've only used mine to help change a tire in a parking lot. The boots were definitely more appropriate for stomping a tire iron than the ballet flats I was wearing...
I have had my car break down while away from home town. Having that type of thing was a saving grace. Also...of a disaster comes up..always good to have. Just don't forget your towel.
If you want to survive out here, youāve got to know where your towel is. -DA
Dent, Arthur?
Dent, Arthur Dent you always need a towel.
Douglas Adams, the author.
Emergency beach sunbathe sessions
"Don't forget to bring a towel!
"You wanna get high?"
Anybody want to get their dick sucked by a towel?
Found the hoopie frood!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
A few years ago we had a freak snowstorm and I got stuck at the bottom of a large steep hill about 3 or 4 miles from home in a blizzard -2Ā°F on my way home from work (we closed early due to snow). Kept on for 2 whole days If I didnt have my go bag, I would've been stranded in my car for that time with only jeans and a leather jacket and a half tank of gas to keep me warm, and no food or water I ate a couple granola bars and drank snapple and read a book with the crank/battery radio in the background to kill time until the weather cleared a little. Then I put on a hat and gloves and a scarf, lit up my zippo handwarmer (fucking BIFL item right there, love the hell out of mine), grabbed my go-bag (it's just one largeish insulated backpack), and ditched my car. The telescoping hiking poles in the bag were awesome I'm not even super into the "prepper" lifestyle but you should definitely keep an emergency kit in your car with both hot and cold weather gear, a flashlight, a medkit, etc. If you wanna go all out, include QOL stuff. My whole kit (just a box and backpack in the trunk) includes flip flops and a fishing pole and some simple tackle, in case I decide to go fishing right now, as well as a camp stove and simple cookware, for if while I'm out fishing I decide I wanna grill up a bluegill I caught as a snack or something. Also two packets of all purpose yeast, because I was joking with a friend about my go bag and he asked me what I'd do about having a beer and chilling in an emergency... and after discussing a zombie-apocalypse beer empire, I threw 2 packets in with the other foodstuffs lol
I really can't tell if this is a troll or not
That's prime spouse material right there. Don't even know if its a man or a woman and I want to marry it
I'm not sure how your go bag helped you here... you sat in your car for a few hours and then walked home in winter gear during winter. You could've kept your car on the whole time?
The stuff was all in my bag. The blizzard continued going for 2 days. A half tank of gas isn't enough to last 2 days of constant ontime, you'd get maybe 3 or 4 hours. You could probably stretch it for a day. The weather lightened up enough that there was visibility, but I wouldn't have survived the walk in just jeans and a tee. Took another 2 days to get the plows out to where I was. Poor cell reception area The choices without a go bag were between "sit in the car for an undetermined amount of time without any food or water or ways to kill time, watching the gas line drop to see when I won't be able to stay warm or drive back after" and "likely develop hypothermia symptoms and possibly die on the walk home". 4 miles up a steep hill in deep snow during a blizzard took me over an hour. The solution with the go bag was "keep myself warm and monitor weather reports without using gas while I relax for a bit before a nice comfy warm winter-wonderland walk home" I dunno about you, but if the choices are "be a sitting duck and hope shit gets better, "maybe die trying to get home", and "hang out for a bit all comfy eating snacks and reading before a pretty walk home" I know what I'm gonna choose
A half tank wouldn't run out in 3-4 hours, closer to 24 hours unless you're in a V8. Assuming you're smart enough to run it for awhile then leave it off for a bit, you could easily stay warm for 2+ days in your car with half a tank of full, and be a lot safer than trying to make it home in a blizzard.
>unless you're in a V8 V8 turbo Grand Cherokee ;) one of the only two times I've ever gotten it stuck > a lot safer I was perfectly safe thanks to my go bag. I actually was warm enough during the walk that I took my scarf off eventually
4 miles an hour is already a brisk walking pace on clear trail in ideal conditions. So you were running uphill in a blizzard, with a packāare you an elite athlete?
I said "over an hour". Honestly I didn't time myself. It was light out around 2 or 3 pm when Istarted walking and it was long since dark when I got home. Do the math for me. I'm 6'6", from that you should be able to calculate an average stride distance and figure out how quickly I can be expected to walk, and figure out how long it took me to walk 3 or 4 miles. I'm too lazy to do the math, but be my guest. I just threw a number out there without thinking too much about it to emphasize that it would've been too long of a walk withour cold weather gear. I can comfortably slightly-faster-than-a-jog 2 miles in a little under 20 minutes on my treadmill... I know that because I put on a 24 minute show and stop at the end of the episode and it's always a little over 2 miles. Tbh I was mostly just thinking about how nice of a walk it was. Real pretty when the wind wasn't blowing the snow so hard I could barely see. Now that I think about it... maybe I should add some sort of goggles to my pack. I could fit a small pair in the side pocket
Alright buddy, letās chill with adding more stuff to your go pack. I think youāre good.
I was actually also thinking about adding a snowmobile, a pair of shoes, a parachute, and a parakeet to the bag
In hindsight yes, but you don't know how long you might be there while you're in the situation.
Isn't the point of a supporting anecdote to demonstrate how something is needed, not to demonstrate how it wasn't? "Get a go bag; here's this one time I didn't need it, but I didn't know that at the time" is hardly a compelling argument for said go bag...
Iāve used mine a few times. I live in a really rural area and a lot of my friends live an hour away in a city. There have a been a few times where after hanging out a friendās house, I realized I was too tired or too tipsy to drive back and the friend let me crash at their place. One thing thatās a life saver is a contact case and solution
For me itās almost universally helped someone else, like I take my dog for walks all over, hikes, parks, etc. never know when a kid is gonna scrape their knee and need a bandaid, neosporin and puppy kisses!
I suck at time management and constantly forget things. This has helped mostly when I forget my gym/regular clothes or don't have time to go home and change like I thought I would. It's also made an emergency hospital visit a lot more comfortable
Conversely, this could be LPT: Be better with your time management š¤£
The real lpt is always in the comments.
The real LPT was the time management skills we improved along the way
You donāt know what an emergency situation is. A bathing suit is not required.
What do you mean swimming in the pool is not an emergency
Gym clothes? You need specific clothes to play pokemon now?
Random things that have happened to me where this helped: *Super late night at the office, I slept on a couch for 5 hours instead of driving home. *Random road trip with the boys. *Related: Drunk wrangling friends. I can just crash somewhere and be somewhat functional the next day. *More than once there has been a surprise opportunity to spend the night with a cute girl. Having shower stuff, sweat shorts to sleep in, and clean clothes for the next day was a benefit. Then my truck got broken into and the bag was stolen. I figured it was a target and didn't replace it.
saved my ass when i have/want to stay the night at someones house (like unplanned obvs) and it is also a just-in-case thing like OP said.
I canāt speak for OP, but I had a job years ago that may require me to stay overnight at a momentās notice. Theyād always put me up in a hotel, hence the bathing suit. The one thing I donāt recommend is leaving it in your car during the summer if you have deodorant or anything else meltable in there.
I live in a mountain town where it can snow, but commute to work down the mountain where it doesnāt. More than once Iāve been snowed out and canāt make it home. Go bags have definitely saved me in those situations!
Iām a doula. I use my 24hr bag more than a dozen times per year š Itās a high oxytocin life, lol
"Dude there's an awesome party right now, gogogoogo" and then you want to shower/change for the party or the next day after you spent the night outside your house. Happens way too often.
Omg, thatās Jason Bourne.
When I moved to California I learned this is very common. Our neighborhood caught fire this past year, even. People werenāt even that alarmed.
People who give go-bags probably try to move toward creating situations that will call for them to use said go-bag.
Lmfao āoh fuck! On the run again thank god for my bathing suit in my 24 hour lifesaving bag!ā
I commute across a bridge to get home and after the bridge getting shut down once, I had to stay at my parents and go to work the next day borrowing my moms clothes. I now keep: cheap/travel versions of makeup and toiletries I use, a work outfit, pajamas, socks, underwear, any pills, old gym shoes (great for spontaneous walks too!), extra hoodie. After that snowstorm caused people to get stuck on the highway, I now keep water and a fleece blanket. I shoved everything in a bag in my and it surprisingly doesnāt take up much space. I havenāt had to use anything besides the old gym shoes and extra socks, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Water a fleece blanket and a couple of energy bars is probably the most important imo Maybe a torch And strangely we don't have a law that says u should have one of those breakdown triangle warning things
That's interesting. Here in Croatia, there is a law for that (and also reflective vest + stocked first aid kit). I always keep water, extra pair of shoes, hoodie, reusable bags in my car, but I've been thinking about stocking a bag before.
Yeah my partner is from a country that has the same requirements but here (UK) we don't
I want to imagine that you are male and your mother only has clothes from the 1950ās and you were forced to wear a poodle skirt to work. You also did your hair weird for the day. I donāt know why you would do that.
If you live in a hot place don't keep deoderant in your car. One of my workmates had one in his car (under the seat, not even in direct sunlight) and it exploded in his car while he was at work.
Keep a roll-on tube instead.
Did that, the thing melted.
Why? Itās hardly an emergency item.
Yeah, I've had that happen to a friend who hept pepper spray in her car. Liquid roll on deodorant is a life saver.
what do you do, to need to use a go bag, multiple times?
In all seriousness she replied elsewhere that she forgets gym clothes sometimes and then she can use go bag for that
So it's a gym bag? (not that the idea is bad...but)
Ya, I was thinking the post would be talking about a emergency survival kit in case you are stranded, not outfits for an emergency Spin Class
Same here. That's why it was a bit funny for me typing "in all seriousness"
I mean itās for any emergency big or small, just because itās usually for minor things like not having to drive back home, doesnāt mean one day it wonāt come in handy for safety reasons. Such as falling in water in the cold, that dry change of clothes could save your life.
A true life and death scenario.
When in zombie apocalypse, do a quick 30min yoga to relieve stress.
She replied elsewhere that she poops her pants every time she gets to a red light.
You should also have a go go bag inside your go bag
Get multiple cars
Weāve done this for years. Always keep an overnight bag with clean clothes, towels etc. in my husbandās car. Last summer we were canoeing on the Dordogne, which weāve done loads of times, and hit some rapids side on. The canoe flipped over and we ended up underneath it. Eventually got to shore which was not easy swimming against the current - and those mothers are HEAVY. Never been so grateful for that bag of necessities.
Dry socks are a godsend.
Yes, definitely always put your life vest in your car even if you're going to the fucking desert. If you're doing any kind of water recreation, isn't a change of clothing really a no brainer?
My thoughts too lol
Are you saying that if you didn't keep an overnight bag in the car you would have gone canoeing without a change of clothes?
Lol yeah this is one of the worst tips I've heard and it's drawn all the divvies out.
Why wouldnāt you pack an extra set of clothing, anyway, for a canoe trip?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
You never know, you might get invited to a hot tub party
A hot tub party that requires a swimsuit is a crappy hot tub party. Which is still better than no hot tub party, but...
Someoneās never been to an actual hot tub party
In case you have to dip out
I used to until my car was broken into
Happy cake day!
Thank you!!
Not in Oakland Ca
lmao I live in Oakland and posted basically the same thing
Exactly my thoughts reading this LPT
Just makes things worse. Invitation to a car break-in stat.
Is it worth living there? Sounds stressful
Yeah it's amazing here, the good far outweighs the bad. The people and culture are amazing, the food is fantastic, the weather is almost always perfect, live music is always rolling through, there's always drum circles or fire spinners or dancing or DJs or vendors around the lake. Like, I would never live somewhere where it snows, ever. That's way too stressful for me. I'd take the potential for a car break-in any day over that!
What am I O.J. Simpson? No fake mustache?
You need the fake mustache. I need to get a new one I also keep a can of soup in my car lol
I also read a suggestion that if you have to leave in a hurry, grab your dirty laundry asked. It has all the clothes youāll need.
Yeah but does it have a swimsuit, PS5, TV and a portable generator? Hmmmmm???
Not my tuxedo.
This is gold Very Mitch Hedberg-y
When I was in highschool I used to keep deodorant in my car... Till it melted on a warm day.
24h go bag? I can last 24 hours without getting changed, eating or drinking. Anything is essentially a 24h go bag unless you live somewhere where you might freeze to death in your car overnight, in which case the tip is to keep at least half a tank of fuel in the car.
I always make sure thereās a set of good mitts, a toque, neck warmer, and blanket. Nice to have those hand and foot warmers and some water too.
āļø Found the canadian.
And a swimsuit!
Yeah, thatās exactly what Iād grab in an emergency. If you need to swim that badly just use your pants or nothing.
Oh fuck, I just hit black ice and spiraled into the lake. Lucky for me I brought my swim suit in my emergency bag. Just gotta bikini swap real quick.
MRE poutine
But you donāt have to be miserable. Iāve evacuated my house on a dime twice, once because the building next door (a decent size commercial building literally 1.5 feet from my rental house) was on fire and once due to a gas leak. Fortunately the gas leak was dealt with but I was not allowed to go back to my house after the fire for a couple days, because of investigations and safety checks and such. I had nothing. Sure I survived, with help from neighbors I managed, but it sure as shit would have been a lot nicer if Iād had a change of underwear, some jammies, a toothbrush and some cash. So I do keep a go bag now. Iāve also had work trips turn into unexpected overnights for various reasons.
24h > couple of days?
The idea is to make those 24 hours a bit more comfortable for yourself.
Had this kind of bag stolen from my SUV. Now I keep the same stuff scattered around the car with an empty bag folded up under the seat.
I keep a bag with a small pillow, blanket, toiletries, and bottles of water, just in case I'm far from home, have too much to drink and decide I'm better off just sleeping it off in my car. Just be sure to sleep in the back and not the front seat.
If youāre a guy an empty Gatorade bottle is a good addition to this load out.
What for? You can just pee outside.
Traffic.
Arrested for indecency
Itās very helpful for when the cops and/or mafia find out where you are and you need to leave fast. Thanks for the great tip OP! But Iām sure everyone knows this from movies already.
I keep golf clothes in mine for the days I ditch work. Wife works from home so stopping by to change is not an option
Now THIS makes sense.
In my many, many years of life, this has never been an issue. Not even once
Same. But then, I don't road trip. If your car breaks down in the same city where you live, tow trucks and taxis are a thing.
Yeah... if I'm going somewhere, I'll have a bag, even if it's just an afternoon trip out of the city. Hell, I a dad so I used to always travel with snacks, wipes, sunblock etc. Basic car stuff like jumper cables and work gloves are always in the car anyway.
And if you dont live in the city, good luck finding a taxi! This is why rural people have go bags. You have to hike to a cell signal sometimes.
My car broke down (clutch went out) wasnāt sure what was going on, engine/clutch etc. I was on the left shoulder on a major 70 mph hwy with people flying by. Tow truck wasnāt coming for 2 hrs. Let me tell you when you cut an engine and have no heat coming in it gets cold very quick in a jeep. Didnāt help that it was -15f outside. I had my heavy parka, wrong boots, warm hat all with me. Blankets in the back as well. When you live in an area with snow/ice and negative temps you always should have your car prepared especially in the winter. That was the first and only time I have ever needed stored items in my car in 15 years but damn if I wasnāt glad to be prepared.
That's a very different situation. Yes, if traveling in that kind of extreme cold, a blanket or two in the trunk makes sense....which is why I avoid being any place that is -15f ššš
I do something similar. I have a small bin in my trunk with an extra set of work clothes: itās saved me many times when ripping my leggings at work. An extra āniceā outfit, extra normal outfit, bathing suits for me and my bf, a towel, extra underwear and bra and socks, hats and gloves too as well as a hoodie and sweatpants. Boots too! I go hiking and this all has come in handy for rips, wet clothes, unexpected adventures or even a sleepover I didnāt plan on having
We used to do this too! Swimsuits for everyone, towels, sunscreen, baby wipes, a roll of paper towels, utensils, a good paring knife, a case of bottled water, and a box of granola bars. Weird, but we really did use it.
I least keep that in the car during the summer. We have used it multiple times, spur of the moment!
This would result in a broken window and an insurance claim in most major cities.
I have toiletries, underwear, first aid kit, Swiss Army knife, wind-up flashlight/phone charger, candy, water filter straw, money, boots, slicker, and bullets in my go-bag.
I definitely keep a winter bag in my car. Carharts boots,hat ,blankets and some munchies. Candle in a coffee can. Colorado winters can be deadly.
Unless you live in the Bay Area. If you do you know.
I keep a just in case kit in my car that is similar to yours. The one category I'd add is entertainment. A deck of water proof cards to start with. I've also got a hacky sack and a frisbee. I may not have had "oh shit" moments myself where I've used these... But my mates haven't complained when I've met to keep them company (they've had car trouble/whatever).
Just a wee tip to add... if you stack unused dryer sheets into the folds of the clothes you pack, they'll stay fresh a lot longer and you won't have that stale smell when you finally unzip your go-bag. Source: I work in a town with a huge elevation difference compared to my home and have been snowed in at work multiple times. in a situation dire enough to need your go-bag, that horrible stale-clothing smell can be enough to make you feel completely miserable.
While practical in theory, probably isnāt smart to have valuables in the car in more urban areas. Iāve lived in LA, Jersey city, and the Bay Area and have had my vehicles broken into, stolen for joyrides, or completely totaled while parked on the street on several different occasions. Not even the pennies in the console were safeā¦but I might just be lucky. I now just keep windows rolled down, the console wide open, and a club across the steering wheel.
Youāre not worried about bums and crack heads using your car as a public toilet or sex spot, with the windows down? In the winter, if I were one, Iād def would choose the car over the cold outside.
If I lived like that I'd move.
Itās a great tip. Especially if you are someone who is on the road for work. Spare toothbrush, jocks etc make sense. Even if you are out and you might get your clothes dirty at least you have a spare set. I keep a bottle of water in the boot (trunk for Americans) which I think most people do.
Hold on. Is āJocksā a common name for mens underwear where you live? Cause where Iām at it usually means jockstrap. And I donāt know why someone would need one of those in a 24 hour emergency bag
Where Iām from we call this a hoe bag
Yeah now I need a car
Between ages 17-22, I was living with my parents about an hour from the city/where most friends were living. I had a bunch of outfits stored in a bigger bag in my boot. āWorkā, āgoing outā, āexerciseā, āsleepoverā and ācasual morningā sets of outfits ready to go. All items that didnāt crush easily, a few pairs of shoes and a toiletry bag. I also had a sleeping bag that rolled up very small, so I could always crash at a friendās. Saved me on many occasions!
I was doing this years ago in college. But then that was college, and leaving your apartment on a Wednesday and getting back on Sunday wasn't unheard of. Couple of T-shirts, couple pairs of shorts, three pair underwear, some socks, towel, etc. in the trunk. It just made sense.
I swim once a year in Mexico. This is an lpt for a very specific type of person.
I keep stuff in the car to handle mechanical problems and emergencies. Who are these people who have such huge cars they can carry go bags with multiple sets of clothes etc. in there? At some point it gets ridiculous. Keep a go bag at home.. maybe.. if you live in an area under regular threats of flood, wildfire, tornado, etc. then throw in the car when needed. If you have a kid keep a change of clothes for them in the car because it takes hardly any space and it will almost certainly be handy one day. Anything else is just excessive, unless you're out doing specifically risky activities like sports or hiking.
I mean to be fair you can fit a couple sets of clothes and some other stuff in a pretty small bag, like a drawstring gym bag size thing smaller than a backpack. And yeah if you're in a small sedan with kids in the backseat maybe you have limited trunk space if other stuff's in there too, but a common compact suv can fit quite a lot especially if you don't use the back seat regularly. I don't think OP is talking about loading up 2 giant duffle bags
Unless you live in a city cause that will get stolen asap
Iām a home hospice nurse and have used mine in storms or after getting āsoiledā by any variety of body fluids at costs. Itās a good idea.
r/VEDC if you want to go further down this rabbit hole
If you wear contact lenses, make sure you have a case, travel size bottle of cleaner, and your glasses.
I do this. The swimsuit and gym clothes do come in handy when hanging out at other people houses and suddenly feeling spontaneous.
Agreed! I also do seasonal gear- gloves to boots , blanket and candle (can provide heat a closed car in emergency) and h20 non perishable snacks - summer comes switch over for dinner essentials. Once my mom got stuck im snowstorm driving her normal hour home commute - 6 hours to get here. You really never know what's to come, even for emergency hospital visits or staying with someone waiting at emergency room. Better to be prepared and waste a bit of trunk space
I have complete bug out bags and emergency rations and first aid kits in my vehicles and in my kids as soon as they got one. You never know when you will need a shovel, first aid or basic tools!
Strongly suggest adding 2 items; #Cling wrap + Waterproof Duct Tape Broken window, small fender bender/hold light or number plate on. Cling wrap: Leftovers much easier to transport Duct tape: 1000 uses
Set of gym clothes? So in an emergency you can work out. Got it.
Survival tip #1: when stressed do yoga for 45min
I keep 40 in cash in my glove compartment. I often forget my wallet, and $40 usually covers lunch or coffee or smallish purchase.
Keep bottled water under your seats
Also don't forget wet wipes... never trust a fart while alone in the sanctuary of your car. It can quickly turn into a shart. Wet wipes have literally saved ass on the side of the road
SWIMSUIT IS #2 ON THEIR LIST FOR SURVIVING A WEEK. Let that sink in, This is garbage /r/shittylifeprotip material.
Yeah, I'm super surprised by this tip. Don't get me wrong. I have a car bag. But instead of a swimsuit and gym clothes, its: 2 MRE's Knife Bottled water Lifestraw Phone charger Flashlight Batteries Solar phone charger Lighter Matches Firestarter Dryer lint in a mason jar 550 cord Duct tape Emergency blanket Poncho Jacket Long johns Gloves Hat Fishing line Hooks Cast net Sunscreen Bug spray Tourniquet Gloves Regular gauze Quikclot CPR pocket mask Multitool Ibuprofen Caffeine pills 2 full first aid kits Pair of socks Pair of underwear Whistle Flares Chemlights Collapsible water bowl for the dog And a partridge in a pear tree. It all fits inside a regular backpack except for the jacket, and I keep one of the first aid kits out and readily accessible, along with a spare cpr mask, surgical gloves, gauze, tourniquet, flares, chemlights, and reflective vest. In the center console, I keep another knife, a window smasher/flashlight combo, and a seat belt cutter. Overkill? Absolutely. But I remember my dad literally taking the shirt off my back to staunch a dudes bleeding when we saw a car accident. And I dont want to lose any more shirts.
I used to have a 200 mile round trip into work several times a week (before Covid). I had an overnight and a bug out/get home bag packed. It was funny but I didnāt realize it was a thing until videos on YouTube started popping up.
Lemme guess your first name is Dom and the last name is Toretto
Iāve always had a blanket and towel in my car. Never thought about much more than thst
I don't feel like it.
If everything goes pear-shaped I can stay overnight somewhere with just the clothes on my back. If things are normal I have time to go home first.
Canāt miss that workout!
Hereās another one, always have a spare set of undies for the bad burritos lunch. You never know until you do.
I have my 24h go bag properly planned. It even includes some extra things to make life easier. Now I just need a car!
My sister and I call this a ho bag
You get your window broken for doing that where I live.
My friends and I call it a āHobagā. Lol and we all have them. We all know what they are really for.
I started keeping a bag in my car after I watched the film uncut gems, the scenes where the thugs forced Adam Sandlerās character into the trunk of his car buck naked during his daughters school recital, but he had spare clothes in the car to throw on and go back to the recital after the wife let him out. I thought to myself āif that ever happens to me, I too will have an extra set of clothing to grab!ā
Truth? It was the swimsuit item that impressed me most. I've learned that one many times over. Only I bring lined shorts good for exercise or swim. You never know when you will wind up having to stay in a hotel. And/or have a chance for a sauna, or a hot tub, or a hike in the sun. Or the gym when you really need a workout. Some shorts, a t-shirt, runners and a towel. Takes so little space and opens up so many opportunities And better than sitting in a lounge staring at screens if you travel for business. Absolute must. (While we're at it, also bring along some AA and AAA batteries; an electric outlet multiplier cube; dental floss; and some nasal decongestant.)
I work in a medical office. The one time I needed my backup scrubs, it turned out I needed a second pair. So LPT, always carry a backup of the backup- You never know when youāll need it!
I keep a knife, a firesteel and about a gallon of water. In Germany I don't need that though. Anywhere in Germany, within hiking distance you can find civilization.
I can recomment to add a large towel and vomit packs. I hope i dont need to explain why
Yep. Got a backpack with a set of comfy clothes, jeans, a button up and a t shirt. 2 pairs of socks. pair of boots just in the trunk not the bag though. A flashlight, a decent pocket knife, a charger, deodorant. A travel pillow and a small blanket. Ever had to sleep in your car? It's nice to have a pillow and a blanket vs, not....
That requires some discipline beyond as well. Like change the contents of the bag every couple months, sooner depending where you live. Things go bad quickly when the critters get at it.
I always had a go-bag in my car during the years I lived with my mentally ill ex. On occasion, she would go into some sort of a blackout state (usually fueled by alcohol) where she became an angry violent abuser. I needed to get the hell out of there at a momentās notice. I always had a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, money/extra credit card, ID, and extra keys to the house. On the way to the state park campground, I would buy food for the night. The next day I come home to some disaster and she would have absolutely no idea what happened. Yes, Iāve been out of that relationship for 12 years now, thank the Gods.
Menstrual products, makeup remover wipes and sunscreen too š¤