10 Day Car Survival Pack for ~25$US

Post Reply New Topic

I already keep some survival tools in my car:
-sleeping bag rated to -5F
-large tarp
-flares
-pocket knife
-flashlight
-lots of maps

a substitute for the sterno if you just want to heat the interior of you vehicle can be this:
1 - roll of toilet paper with the cardboard tube removed (non-perfume type paper)
1 - can big enough for the roll to just fit inside, with a snap on plastic lid (coffee and other food items come in these cans)
1 - 16oz bottle of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
Matches or a lighter

Scrunch up the tube and remove from the toilet paper roll.
Press the roll down into the can.
Pour the whole bottle of alcohol into the can slowly while the roll soaks it all up.
Snap on the lid
Store in your vehicle with the lighter/matches

If you're stuck in cold weather and have to stay put for a while, you can open the can, light it and run it for your heater.
The alcohol burns first instead of the paper.
Try this at home before you actually need to depend on it.

Any chemistry majors here? What is released when burning the alcohol?

I taught wilderness survival for 7 years at HSU through their Center Activities Program, also taught it to Americorps, and in local schools. I do not like the "Survivalist" applied to anyone who is just smart enough to prepare for hard times like natural disasters, man-made disasters, etc.
I'm not talking about the folks who are gearing up for WWIII when the 'blue helmets' come over to conquer the U.S., or so they believe.

That's a nice little kit the guy put together especially since it's one you will be buying all your ingredients for.
I do not like any pre-packaged survival kit at all, and I have quite a few in my storage.

Having re-read the posts, I just wanted to clarify a couple of things...

1- the can must be metal and the plastic lid is to keep the alcohol from gassing off during storage (although some of those lids are not air-tight), and to extinguish the flame by dropping down over the top of the can.

2- as with any other burning material.. ventilate any enclosed areas where this is burning.

I have used this heating method and it has worked for me.
Be sure to ventilate properly and be sure to try this out in safe conditions at home before putting it into your vehicle for emergency use.