BYATES: I would like to recommend a Halligan bar instead of a crowbar. This is a tool used by fire and rescue personnel for forcing entry into a building. One big advantage over a crowbar is the spike on one end. This could deliver major head trama.
I would advise against explosives, they take skill and practice to use without taking out yourself or something you would like to keep around. I have had training and experience with explosives and would not want to use them. Skill and training to develop skill are the essentials to survive. Once you have learned a skill you need to practice, and practice a lot. Reading a book or a blog will not give you skill, you need to practice until you have learned the skill and practice more to keep the skill. The best way to learn and retain a skill is to be a member of a group, and learn and practice as a group. This can provide reinforcement and correction.


1. Hammer - pick one that feels good in your hand, too heavy and it tires you out, too light, it takes too many blows and tires you out. I like a fiberglass handle, you might like wood or metal. Stay away from the tubing handles, weak and bend and break easy.
2. Screwdrivers - three straight, three philips, and for our Canadian friends three Robertson. These are standard sized fixed screwdrivers, no stubbies, no interchangable bits. You can add those later. Sizes, straight to fit eyeglass frame screws, 1/4" straight, and the biggest, strongest straight you can find( use as a prybar, poking holes in things, etc.). Phillips, a #1 and two #2. Robertson, I will leave to someone familiar with them.
3. Crowbar - I like a four foot bar. Include a prybar here too, looks like a flat crowbar about half a meter long.
4. Wrench set - preferably english and metric sizes. Useful for taking thing apart for re-purposing.
5. Socket set - as with the wrench set.
6. Hand saw - You have to get that lumber to size some way. Either push or pull type, get quality.
7. Hacksaw - You will need to cut metal, get an assortment of blades, they break easy.
8. Pliers - slip joint about 6 or 8 inch, Channel-lock about 10 to 12 inch, side-cutter about six inch, bolt-cutters about 3 foot, fence pliers(optional)
9. Drill - electric(corded or cordless) if you will have power. Manual for worst case. Drill bits, assorted for wood, metal, concrete.
10. Crosscut saw - for those big pieces of timber. Or, firewood.
In the State look at Stanley, Craftsman, or Kobalt(Lowes) on the low end. There are other good and better brands on the market, but these will give you a standard to get started.

Stuff to carry in your car, truck, SUV. Two-wheelers add your own list.
The Basics:
* First Aid Kit
* Road flares (6+)
* Safety Vest(s) - for working around a car on the highway
* Roadside reflective markers (triangle, etc)
* Fire Extinguisher
* Small shovel/spade/entrenching tool
* Trouble light (ideally cigarette lighter powered)
* Duct Tape
* Maglite (kept in the actual car itself)
* Jumper Cables
* 2 qts of oil
* Cell phone charger for the cigarette lighter
* Fuses
* Cable Ties
* Antifreeze
* Electrical Tape
* Lighter
* Some kind of food (MREs, etc) that will do well in heat and cold
* Trash bags
* Fleece blanket Optionals
* 100' Parachute cord
* Work gloves
* Small camp axe
* Marine Air horn
* Flare gun
* CB Radio/HAM Radio
* Fix a flat foam
* Empty small gas container Winter Add-ons
* Small Snow Shovel
* Ice Axe
* De-icer spray
* Scraper
* Gas Dryer/antifreeze
* Kittie Litter (Small bag) - for traction
* Space/Emergency Blanket
Gilligan's Island Rules of Survival
1. Be inventive and use what is at hand - don't cry for what you don't have, get on with the job of surviving.
2. Don't make stupid mistakes, they could make the difference between life and death.
3. Don't give up hope, you lose hope and you lose your motivation to go on.
4. Just because you are in survival mode doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable.
5.It rains on the rich and poor alike, disasters don’t play favorites. Remember the Howells.
6.If you don’t have it with you when disaster strikes, it won’t help you. Whatever you have with you is your survival kit.
7.Knowledge is powerful. Where would they have been without the professor?