Emergency Kit For Vehicle
February 22, 2012, Submitted by: Ken TweetKeep an emergency kit for your car/truck/vehicle, a survival kit in a bag (backpack) which contains items that will give you a better chance of success if you become stranded for any reason and have to make it on your own for a time.
In this video, I am demonstrating a very basic emergency kit, one that I am currently putting together for my truck. We’ve recently moved and I’m re-doing our kits, so I thought I would share the basics to hopefully give you ideas for your own kit.
Part of the fun of assembling your own emergency kit is that it really makes you think about scenarios. You can be very minimalist and simply keep a few basics in the kit, which is fine if that’s what suits you – but I challenge you to think beyond that. Or, you can spend more time and really get into being creative about what you put in it.
A challenge is always one of size/weight versus practicality and risk probabilities. In our normal day-to-day lives, so long as nothing catastrophic happens, most of us will be OK with a very minimal kit containing some extra food and water. The challenge comes when you begin to hypothesize about other scenarios, like becoming stranded for a day or two. Not only will you need more food and water, but you will need other things… things to keep you warm, make a fire, purify water, signal for help, etc.
Here is a what I have so far in the beginning stages of this basic emergency kit:
(fire)
lighter
strike-anywhere matches in watertight container
magnesium fire starter tool
magnifying glass lens
(kindling)
several cotton balls soaked in vaseline
fire-starter stick
(basic first-aid kit)
4×4 sterile gauze pads
2×2 sterile gauze pads
band-aids
waterproof gauze tape
triple antibiotic cream
alcohol swabs
sterile gauze wrap
(food and water)
high calorie power bars in back-pack, ~3,000 calories
cooler/ice-chest in the truck contains ~6,000 calories other foods
plastic bottled water (plus a water filter if necessary)
compass
local topo map and state map, plus regional atlas
signal mirror
leatherman multi-tool
knife
LED flashlight
Katadyn portable water filter
plastic cup with snap-on lid
20′ of 550-paracord
emergency blanket -mylar
roll of TP in ziploc bag
hand towel
pepper spray
small notebook and pen in ziploc
USB thumb-drive with encrypted personal info
hat
gloves
blanket (in vehicle)
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If you can afford it, one of those GPS emergency transmitters is wonderful to have. Most people think of these for backcountry skiers and hikers, but they are for anyone in danger anywhere. Also on the Anderson Cooper show today that was about preparation, the couple that was lost for 3 days in snow gave so excellent advice that you should have a cell phone that is satellite based rather than cell tower dependent. He had to walk 7 miles in 2-3 foot deep snow uphill to get to a hill so he could call out for help. Also they suggested to always let someone know when you are travelling and where.
I also suggest everyone when travelling to have just one gallon of gasoline in a completely safe container. People run out of fuel and one gallon will get you most likely somewhere to safety. Gasoline in an emergency can be used to start a difficult to start fire. For those that don’t want to do this, I suggest carrying that gelled alcohol that they use to start pellet stoves and barbaques with, as this works easily to get any fire started. Just never store anything flammable where it will get too hot as the labels warn against this usually above 115 degrees F or so.
Satellite phones are a very good communications insurance policy if you’re going out in the boonies. I’ve not looked into costs, but it is something worth investigating, just to know if it’s something within reason or not. They’re perfect if you’re out on the ocean (although most of us are usually within cell tower service). If the power goes out regionally, Satellites will still be in business. The issue may become that of the network itself, here on earth.
The GPS transmitter is another good idea, particularly if you are one who ventures out into the wilderness or perhaps an out-of-bounds skier, etc. Many new vehicles have these services built into them too. (Big Brother following where you go…)
Ahh you forgot Zip Ties (250mm size) – the ones that are halogen free and UV stabilised… One of the most useful items in a BOB bag…
No doubt there will be more ‘stuff’ going in that kit. Zip Ties are a good idea. Apart from the uses to tie/strap things together, I would be curious if you have additional usage ideas for them? It’s always insightful to hear the ideas of others.
Ahh other than tieing things together they make great restraints for criminal acts, and they also make creat clackers for the kids bike on their spokes when you get bored…
I’ve also got stainless steel zip ties for extreme temperature applications like exhaust slinging or for extreme outdoor applications, where a normal plastic (or even a UV stabilised zip tie) wont last eg: on a roof in 10 hour a day sun…
Zip ties are something of a 21st century multi fix it tool!
Ken, I forgot to mention that there are Zip Ties that are about half a meter long and about 1/4 inch wide, these take some tremendous weights and are indispensable, I carry at least two of these rolled up in my BOB at home and about 3 in my Suzuki.
Nice start. Some other things to consider.
Fire:
- You are in a car. Got any roadside flares? A great fire starter that doesn’t require much dexterity.
- I really like the matches that REI sells. I suspect that they will light underwater. They call them Stormproof.
Kindling:
- I have used the waxy pellets that come in a tube. They worked very well. Votive candles would also work.
First aid:
- Battle dressing or two.
- Clotting agent like QuickClot.
- A burn gel.
- Ace bandage, the ones that roll up.
Food and water:
- Be sure that it is something that you are willing to eat.
- If cold is a problem, consider a sports drink rather than water. I think they have a lower freezing point.
Misc.
- Get a flare gun. Not one of the cheap plastic ones in 12 gauge. I got a surplus one, new in bag with instructions in German (instructions say to leave in sealed bag until needed), at KeepShooting. At 26.5mm I suspect that it kicks like a mule.
- Flares that fit. Watch out for shipping costs. These are deemed to be explosives and say so on the shipping box.
- As much paracord as you can take. A roll of 1000′ doesn’t take much space. Would be really bad to find out you needed a few more feet.
- Something to drink from. I like the Nalgene bottles.
- More zip lock bags. Light with a lot of uses.
- I would nix the pepper spray for a car kit. Don’t get me wrong, I carry it as a pedestrian. The flare gun is a much more effective weapon. Having said that, using a flare gun as a weapon is a violation of federal law.
Be sure to check your kit at least once a year. Wouldn’t do to find out something had become useless.
Be well.
Yes, I have other stuff in the back of the truck. Things like road flares, tow hitch, tow ropes, regular rope, tie-downs, tools, etc.
I use strike-anywhere matches. You can light them on anything. The tips can be dipped in wax to keep them waterproof too. The candle idea is a very good one. We have lots of those around, and I will add one or more to the kit!
It is definitely a good idea to have QuikClot – I promote that product now and again on the site. I had not thought of burn gel – good idea. I’ve never looked for that product before. Got the ACE bandage, yes.
Sports drink – that’s a good thought regarding a lower freeze point for the winter. I’ve not tested that theory.
I keep a 1,000 foot roll of paracord at the house. It’s too much for a simple 72-hour vehicle kit (bag). However, having some in the trunk or the back of the truck certainly would not take up much room. It has a zillion uses.
I check my kit twice a year and rotate the food. The food gets stressed fast in the vast temperature changes that exist in a vehicle throughout the year.
Thanks for the ideas.
I like Mortimer’s list, especially the flare gun. Knowing the law system of certain states even if you were attacked and your life was in total danger, there are actually prosecutors that would try to incriminate you and make it seem like the maniac criminal was the victim. I still like the idea of the flare gun, especially with a wild animal. I would like to see the expression on a large predator’s animal’s face during and after it got whacked with a flare. In fact it would be priceless to see the expression on one of these serial killer’s face when some innocent women shoots the creep with that 26.5 mm flare. That reminds me of that Tremors movie when Reba McEntire shot that giant worm right in the mouth with that flare gun, that was funny, that still makes me laugh. Those are really good other ideas.
I got the flare gun and flares to address a particular situation. You never know when you might need to send a signal.
I attended a panel at a science fiction convention concerning when the SHTF. The question that came up was; What would you do if six bubbas show up in a pickup with shotguns?
My first thought was to engage with the AR and collect some shotguns. Would probably work in my situation. Second thought was to get the “message” across to them while they are in, or near, the pickup. A magnesium flare will work for that. Just hope they don’t park too close to anything I care about. The second approach seems safer from my perspective.
We all know that something like this could never happen. Purely hypothetical.
At the same panel both of the speakers suggested false walls to hide your preps. One of the speakers had the ability to move a lot of dirt. Dig a hole.
False walls won’t help if the house is on fire. A better solution would be to have more than one underground cache. Think of burying one of those large metal boxes that you see at construction site. Dcon is also a good idea.
Be well.
I appreciate your site there is a lot of good information. As to car kits i would suggest a flash light that you shake or wind to make work,a grease pencil is best as you can leave a message right on your windshield (i would write on the inside to keep it from being smudged,lock car doors)also having done a lot of deep woods hiking the maps wear better if they are waxed or laminated , grease pencil comes in handy here also. You’d be surprised how hard it is to read a map in a driving rain if it is paper!Also if you are married you should have a small supply of womens personal products as well.I have also carried chalk or coloured plastic tape or twine so as to mark the course that I’ve traveled.
You can get a “pen” flare gun, light weight and compact. And like any useful items needed in an emergency, someone is going to want to take yours from you. If you don’t have a concealed carry and pack all the time, a pellet gun will be intimidating and legal.
Not trying to be negative. Really, I’m not.
I don’t see any point in using a small flare. Not particularly good at signalling at distance. Short burn times. 300′ range.
A pellet gun might be legal. Trying to intimidate anyone who has any exposure to firearms is likely to get you killed. If you try this you should file off the front sight. Probably hurt less when the attacker(s) shove it up your a$$.
Be well.
And remember the basic vehicle repair stuff you should keep such as jumper cables, tire sealant/tire plug kit, sturdy jack, air pump, fluids (oil, coolant) and so on.
Yes, I believe in having 2 vehicle kits… one for food/water/survival-supplies and the other for the vehicle itself as you mentioned. In addition to my 72-hour kit, I keep a bin in the back of the truck which includes these types of things (tow lines, jumper cables, hydraulic jack, fluids, etc.). Thanks for reinforcing that suggestion.
Don’t forget to have some cash and coins in the pack in case ATM’s are down.
That is a good idea, and highly recommended. I keep a few hundred hidden in the vehicle, just in case. Cash can really get you out of a problem in the majority of situations, so long as it’s not after a total SHTF when people may not value it so much