I sometimes have to drive to another city, and the trek is often through the middle of nowhere. So far I have been very lucky.

I have flares, a small shovel and a little hatchet in my car, but I don't know what else I would need if I had to get out of my car after an accident. It might on fire or it might be in water, necessitating my leaving it for safer or drier ground.

What are the basic tools needed to create temporary shelter?

You can use a cocoon emergency shelter for temporary purposes. You simply have to hang it from a tree or any other off-the-ground location, then climb inside and let the insulated materials keep you warm.

An emergency space blanket sleeping bag is about the size and weight of of a couple of packs of cigarettes. You climb in, pull it over your head and it reflects your body heat back to you. Voila, instant shelter! Try to sit on something other than the cold ground as the ground will suck the heat out of your fanny. Branches, leaves, paper, clothing; all make good insulation.

Its a good idea to keep a small emergency kit with food, water, warm clothing, comfy walking shoes, & basic car repair tools in a bag in your car if you're going to be driving a lot. I'm not a car repair guy myself, but I've had someone stop and fix my truck with wrenches and screwdrivers that I had with me.

Be safe.

My shelter items in my bug out bag are a small tarp, space blanket, and paracord to hang the tarp.

You can pick up a Thermal Solar blanket for less then $5 and it weighs far less than one pound. It is flame retardant- water proof and it can also both hold in body heat to keep you warm as well as deflects outside temperatures to help keep you at a safe even temperature.

For me I like to have a few of these , seeing how they are so light weight and so beneficial for so many different conditions and situations. As far as shelter wrapping up in these or placing it over your head you can deflect whether rain-sun etc.

Every individual who wants to take steps for his safety during crisis, should make sure that he has the basic tools: hammer, saws, crowbar, axes, wrenches, etc. If a backup generator is part of your plan, having basic power tools like a skill saw, sabre saw, band saw, drill and drill press would be a definite advantage.

Carry some blankets for yourself as well as for your beloved ones, because at times you may be prone to extremely cold weather.

We have a whole bag of tools put together that we keepour trunk along with blankets and a change of clothes for us all. We also have a first aid kit.

We have in the back of our car a small tent and two sleeping bags as well as our regular emergency kit. I also always have an extra battery for my phone.