Love the information on this forum.
Thanks to those who have taken the time to share their knowledge.

While I have never been a very serious Survivalist, the older I get, the more sense it makes to at least have some measure of preparedness.
I am slowly getting some items together, including a decent bag or pack of some kind. I question how the summer heat, especially in my southern location, affects some of these items. I can be more specific on which items if you want, but determined I would just keep it general unless prompted to elaborate.

Heat can affect many items. I know carmex, ointments, and some meds have a temp level. Also, MRE don't last as long when stored in extreme heat.

Dom, I don't know the answer to your question but I offer up this. I have what I call a lite BOB/FAK (I'll put up a link later) that I carry a few things in. If I am in the vehicle so is the bag. Otherwise it is here in the house. That way items that may/are heat sensitive are somewhat protected.

This is MAINLY a FAK with some "survival" items thrown in. Just check out Architect's thread in the Outdoors and field craft section, and some of the other BOB threads and you will be well on your way via the experience of some VERY intensive and extensive testing and trial and error By Arch and others. I'm just a noob myself to this but they have helped A LOT.

DOM, If you've not already checked out these threads, here are three links to BOB threads here on the site.

http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...SID=#Post523543

http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...ge=0#Post519109

http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...ge=0#Post477619

My BOB Lite I was talking about is in the bottom link on page 12. It's a 511 push pack and I still have room in the main compartment for something the size of two regular bricks. And PLEASE don't take what I have said or what I have in my kit as gospel, I am also a noob at this but have gotten VERY valuable information and help from Arch and others that are far more knowledgeable about this than I am.

Thanks Skunkhunter. Yeah, I am just going to do some reading, and look at the things that seem to be present all the time, and then do more reading, etc.

This seems like it would be especially tricky for folks on medication.

thanks!

Yeah Patty and I are both diabetic plus I am on blood pressure meds and I had forgotten all about them until someone mentioned it. Now I have all our meds in one place, but hopefully we will NEVER have to grab and go!

I intentionally left 2000 rounds of centerfire ammunition in my black SUV for two summers and two winters. Then I used this ammo in a very demanding "team oriented" class. Not one round failed..even though it started life as lowly Wolf Russian steel cased ammo.

On the other hand, I know toothpaste does not keep well in heat. Nor do MRE's.

For reference, our summers reach 95F+ and our winters 10F-.

Around here the temp in a car can easily get in the 140s. Anything that has an experation date I worry about. I've had the sticky in a roll of tape melt out the side in the cab of the truck. Heck, it is so hot I had a 6 pack of cokes blow up in my garage with insulated doors.

We rotate first aid supplies alot, because...

"Wet" medical supplies dry out quickly. For example, "alcohol prep pads" (the sort that are stored in their own little foil package) will be dry in about two summers.

Adhesive bandaids won't stick as well.

Medicines go bad quickly.

As FJ said - tape adhesive oozes out.

I guess I have been fortunate, I do not have any illnesses, my major concern is anti-venom, if that gets to hot it is worthless as the protein breaks down. How to keep it cold in the car...I really dont know. I drive an old Beetle, so it gets hot in that sucker! Interesting thread.

The stuff that found that gets really jacked up are mainly in my medical kit. Stuff like mole skin (for blisters) and lip balm type stuff. The small tubes of Chapstick brand does alot better than generic brands do. The generic brand lip balm turns in to goo, but Chapstick tends to hold its shape much better and is usable.

Batteries are another thing that the heat really screws up. I don't keep spare flashlight batteries in my car kit any more.

I have to cycle the water I keep in my vehicles every week in the summer.

We are pushing 111 degrees today outside so the inside of my car is insanely hot. Fun stuff.

Gah, I can realate! AZ gets both hot and pretty cold. We get the heat in TX but not as severe of winters.