Survival Kits

I have an inexpensive box that I keep ready as my 3 Day Survival Kit. I keep 2 gallons of water per person beside it, for us that is 12 gallons.

1. Water and/or an individual water filter like a LifeStraw—we have a creek that borders the property.
2. Two flashlights, with batteries beside them (no potential for corrosion and there for failure when needed). One headlamp for chores—my job.
3. Waterproof matches and lighters.
4. Four good quality Mylar emergency blankets. These are tough and reusable! You can sleep in your own bed with one on top and one on the bottom.
5. Single serving bags of coffee, tea, propel zero and Mio to add to water.
6. Three days of canned food, so I don’t have to cook, just warm up and serve—even if warming is with a candle, grill, or on our Deadwood Stoves!
7. A good quality manual can opener.
8. Paper plates, cups and utensils.
9. Garbage bags for personal sanitation and more!
10. Baby Wipes for personal sanitation and cleanliness.
11. A bottle of hand sanitizer.
12. Two rolls of TP.
13. A roll of paper towels.
14. A roll of heavy duty aluminum foil, mostly for cooking.
15. Candles, for light and heat, and because they are always handy!
16. Hard peppermint candy and hard chocolate candies.
17. Two deck of cards!
18. Two emergency radios, because one just never seems to work! #3 is the car radio!
19. A survival whistle. Need to signal anyone? Low tech; high impact!
20. Pepper spray! Yes! Inexpensive, simple and effective!

The average American drives approximately 15,195 miles per year, reports the Federal Highway Administration. That’s the equivalent of driving from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the San Francisco Bay area five times.

That creates plenty of opportunity for the unexpected to occur. No matter the distance from your daily point A to point B, there are basic supplies every driver should have in their vehicle to reduce the risk of potential danger.

Whether you buy a pre-assembled kit or collect the items separately, the information below will help you build the perfect car emergency kit for your car.

Roadside Necessities For Your Car Emergency Kit

In the unfortunate event you end up on the side of the road, there are a few things you do not want to be without. Even if you have roadside assistance coverage, Consumer Reports recommends carrying the following items in your car at all times:

• Vehicle owner’s manual
• Cell phone and charger
• First aid kit stocked with supplies to treat a range of injuries, including child and pet injuries, if applicable
• Fire extinguisher
• Hazard triangle or flares
• Tire jack and lug wrench for changing a tire
• Spare tire
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight and batteries!

In addition to those listed above, the supplies below are suggested for driving long distances:

• Basic tools, including wrench, screwdriver, and pliers
• Hose repair kit and tape
• Extra clothes
• Water and nonperishable food
• CB radio
• Paper maps

For extreme cold weather conditions:

• Blankets
• Extra shoes and clothing
• Tire chains
• Small shovel
• Windshield scraper

So you’ve got the kit, now what?

It’s likely you already know how to work a flashlight, but if you’re unable to replace a tire, the car jack and lug wrench are useless. It is crucial that you educate yourself on how to use these emergency supplies as soon as you can. Luckily, there are several online resources with guides on vehicle maintenance, from how to change a tire to knowing when the job needs a professional mechanic, and even how to avoid getting overcharged for repairs.

Vehicle Maintenance

Keeping your vehicle on a regularly scheduled maintenance plan is step one in your preparation for an emergency on the road. SafeMotorist.com, a vehicle safety resource developed by the American Safety Council, suggests DIY vehicle maintenance checks, such as oil and fluid top offs, between visits to the mechanic.

Also, stay up to date on auto manufacturer recalls to ensure your vehicle isn’t plagued with defects. You can look up issued recalls by providing the year, make and model of the car.

If you find there has been a recall on your car, don’t panic. In most cases, a recall doesn’t mean your car is unsafe to drive; think of it as an extension of the manufacturer’s commitment to your safety. They are just informing their consumers of the issue. However, some recalls could be potentially serious and it may be necessary to return the car to the auto dealer to have the issue fixed.

I would like to note here that all the emergency backpacks and car emergency kits that I have been seeing lately are either bright red or have “EMERGENCY KIT”, sewn on or painted in huge letters across them in an obvious place.

Now, I know we who bought or prepared them should know what they are and what is in them, but we do not need to broadcast to everyone that walks by our car or heaven forbid, is out walking the interstate with us… that we have a pack full of things that they may want or need desperately.

We need to put our supplies in a nondescript pack or bag, cut off patches that identify our carefully thought out contents, or camouflage them in some way that makes them unattractive to a thief or worse.

I have had my car broken into twice and both times they took my red, plainly marked “EMERGENCY ROAD KIT” purchased from Sam’s Club. So they stole both my original and my replacement kit until I got smart and put the newest of the three into a PINK kid’s backpack from the dollar store.

Moral of this story is…. don’t make yourself or your preps a target!  Make sure that you have them (or can keep them) when you need them.

When we had bad weather here in Atlanta a few weeks back, people were shoving people down in grocery store parking lots and stealing their newly purchased supplies.  One person even got shot when he refused to give up his legally purchased supplies.  It doesn’t take long for scared people to turn violent and take what they need.

Protect your preps!

Everyone needs to be able to take care of themselves for at least 3 days if any number of natural or man made disasters should occur. Consider the potential for blizzards, ice storms, severe thunderstorms, wind storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, fires, gas leaks, even something as mundane as transformer failures or traffic accidents taking down power poles.

And a three day power outage (And we have seen three week power outages in the U.S. as recently as Superstorm Sandy for tens of thousands of people.) can be a disaster!

What are the basics for you to survive without electricity, water service, heat, cooling, or sewage disposal for 72 hours in your home? What is the least you need to survive this?

Think about a basic “survival box.”

The 72 Hour Box for In-Home Survival

• An LED flashlight with extra batteries.
• An LED lantern that is solar powered, hand crank or battery powered, with extra batteries.
• One gallon of water per person per day. More if you have a way to cook.
• Three days of canned, or non-perishable food, that can be eaten without cooking or minimal preparation and a MANUAL CAN OPENER.
• Paper plates, plastic utensils and paper towels.
• A battery powered radio with a NOAA Weather Radio tone alert, and extra batteries. Some emergency radios have solar and hand crank assist.
• Toilet paper, moist towelettes, antiseptic wipes, sturdy garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. If it looks like the electricity will be off for more than 12 hours, line your toilet bowl with a garbage bag (or put 2 together for sturdiness), fold over and put down the seat. You can tie shut after every use if need be.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, if notified to do so.
• An N95 reusable dust mask to filter the air if needed.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place (This is considered specific to a nuclear disaster, but is important to survival in the winter as well to create a warm room.).
• Heavy duty aluminum foil—to heat food with a candle in the oven, to face shiny side outward on windows in the summer to reflect excessive heat, to face inward on windows in the winter to reflect heat inside.
• Whistle to call for help. SOS in Morse code, simplified version: short/long/short.
• A Mylar emergency blanket will reflect back 90% of your body heat. Ideal for winter if you put one under your sheet facing up and one over your sheet and under your blankets facing down.

72 Hour Survival Items for Children

• Formula and infant food for at least 3 days.
• Disposable diapers for at least 3 days.
• A handheld fan to keep them cool.
• Warm blankets and emergency blankets to keep them warm.
• Toys and games to entertain them.

Survival Items for Pets

• Pet food and water for at least 3 days.
• For sheltering-in, a “potty” corner with a lined tray and plastic baggies.

This is the absolute minimum you need to survive for 3 days without assistance. Do you have these items in your home? Easily accessible? Where you can find them in the dark if need be?

As a prepper, you should prepare for all kinds of emergency and disaster that might come your way no matter where you are. This means that you should prepare survival kits and bug-out bags not only in your house but also in your car. Keep in mind that no matter how reliable and sturdy your car is, you can’t expect it to offer you a means of transportation to safety during a disaster if it is not equipped with everything you need.

This is Exactly Why You Need a Car Survival Kit

With that in mind, you need to prep your car as doing so can help save not only your life but also that of others. Properly equipped, it can even become your shelter during emergencies and disasters. Along with a good pre-drive checklist, your car survival kit can help you get back on the road and lower your chance of getting stranded for hours. Just make sure it contains most of the survival essentials, including the following:

1. First Aid Kit

Driving on the road will always put you at risk of experiencing major accidents or minor collisions. Make sure to have a first aid kit in your car to help you during these emergencies. Among the things that should compose your first aid kit are pain relievers, antiseptics, bandages, trailheads, and gauze.

You can find several affordable commercial first aid kits in the market today. However, you can also make your own first aid kit if you want to ensure that it perfectly suits you. This allows you to customize it based on your specific needs.

2. Flashlight

Having a flashlight around will help you in case you get in trouble at night. It would be a big help if you have a flashlight featuring a strobe function. This function can significantly boost your visibility while you are on the roadside.

This can keep not only you safe but also others. You can use it in case you need to sort problems in engine compartments that are usually dim spots. With that, you can easily check mysterious leaks or low oil level.

3. Emergency Fund

As a prepper, you also need to set aside some emergency funds in your car. Having cash to buy some essentials during a disaster while you are in your car can save you. For instance, you may need money to buy a vital prescription in a pharmacy or to fuel your vehicle. You can hide cash in your car’s crevices. However, ensure that this hiding spot is not easily visible and accessible by auto-detailers, mechanics, and valets who may access your car.

4. Car Jack

Having a car jack around is also beneficial for preppers who want to make sure that they can immediately fix flat tires that happen on the road. You need to have this item in your car, especially if you often drive on rough roads as this might increase the risk of getting flat tires.

With the help of your car jack, you can easily change your tires and go back on the road as soon as possible. Make sure that the car jack is capable of supporting your vehicle’s weight, though.

5. Fire Starter

Apart from the fire starter, make sure to have fire sticks, too. This item is important in keeping yourself warm in case the heating system of your vehicle completely malfunctions. Having a fire starter around can also help you during those instances when your car gets destroyed, causing you to be alone.

You can choose to store some fire sticks in your vehicle that can still light up even after exposing them to snow and water. These fire starters are beneficial in keeping you warm while preventing the harsh effects of being exposed to extreme cold.

6. Emergency Food Bars

Of course, you also need to have food around if you want to be able to survive a disaster or emergency that takes place while you are in your car. You need food to survive in any car survival situation for a long time. In this case, store some emergency food bars in your vehicle. A wise tip is to go for those with high protein content.

It is because these food bars are not only filling but also contain healthy minerals and vitamins that can supply you with energy. It also takes longer for your body to digest protein, allowing you to feel full longer if you eat food bars rich in it.

7. Water

Apart from food, another of the most essential items that should form part of your car survival kit is water. Note that it would be impossible for you to survive for quite a long time if you do not have enough water. Having a reliable source of clean water, therefore, can boost your chance of surviving a car survival situation.

Apart from the water that you can readily drink, it also helps to have some sort of a water purification system. This is especially beneficial during prolonged survival situations as these often require you to purify all available water. Fortunately, you can now find several water purification systems that are compact enough that you will not experience problems storing them in your car. Alternatively, you can buy some water purification tablets.

8. Communication Devices

Some examples are cellphones and chargers. You need these devices to communicate in case you get stranded while on the road. This means of communication is even more important if you are in snow-drenched regions, hurricane-prone country, or areas and zones prone to flood and tornados. If possible, store a prepper ham radio in your car, too so you can be in touch with what is happening around you.

9. Tool Kit

Contrary to what others think, there is no need for you to become an experienced car mechanic to bring a toolkit with you. It is because there are instances when you need to do a few car maintenance chores on your own. It would be impossible to do that if you do not have your toolkit in your car.

Make sure that this contains some essentials, like work gloves, electrical tape, vice grips, spark plugs, extra fluids, and screwdrivers featuring changeable bits. However, prior to filling your toolkit and storing it in your car, spend time studying your car and the different ways to fix it. You do not have to be an expert. You just have to know the basics. That way, you can put all the things in your toolkit to good use in case of emergencies.

10. Sleeping Bag or Blanket

Having a sleeping bag or blanket around can benefit those who get stranded during the winters. This is important, especially if you drive in areas with cold temperatures. With the blanket around, you can make yourself feel comfortable while waiting for help.

Conclusion

Preparing your car for any form of disaster or emergency is the key to saving you from a lot of trouble. It can give you a more dependable solution to survive whatever scenario that you encounter. Start preparing your car by building your own vehicle survival kit. With the crucial items mentioned in this article, you will have something to use in case you get stranded or experience an emergency or disaster out of the city limits.