How to Make a Car Survival Kit
A car survival kit is an essential item for any vehicle, no matter where you live. Once you create your kit, you can stow it in the trunk and forget about it – until you need it. When you pull your kit together, consider not only the circumstance that could cause a breakdown or other emergency, but the fact that your car may become your home. A good emergency kit should include everything you need to get through a few days in the car, including the basic elements of food, shelter and water.
Shelter: If you are stranded in an emergency, the car itself will likely be the best shelter you will find. You can increase the suitability of the shelter by adding items to your emergency kit to retain heat or keep you cool, depending on the climate in your area. Include the following items and keep in mind the number of people you usually travel with; there should be enough blankets and other items for everyone.
- Blankets: Instead of throwing out old blankets and quilts, store them in the trunk of your car. You can use them to stay warm in the event of an emergency, or to provide shade if you are stranded on a hot day. Recycling blankets you already own is a good way to stock your car emergency kit without extra expense, but if you live in an area hit with very cold winters, toss a few lightweight space blankets into the kit as well; they are designed to retain body heat in extreme temperatures.
- Duct tape: Add a roll of duct tape to your kit; it is useful for everything from patching holes to rudimentary first aid.
- Warm clothing: If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, add hats, mittens and gloves to your kit. It won’t matter if these items are slightly out of fashion, they just need to be warm to be useful.
- Lighters: Pick up a pack of inexpensive lighters and add them to your kit. If your car isn’t working, the electric lighter won’t be available to you. With a lighter you can make a fire (at least 20 feet from the car) and prepare food or purify water.
- Cookware: Toss an old, dented but useable pot into the kit as well. With it, you can boil water or prepare food. You won’t miss it in the kitchen, and it may become a lifesaver if you are stranded.
- Toiletries: Do we need to explain why?
- Games: Yeah, you need the bare essentials and if you have room why not include a few fun games, or list of game you can play to pass the time? Maybe some books? maybe some crafts to pass the time? yeah, this will be FUN! who knows how to entertain their kids in an emergency? YOU!
Food and Water:
- Add a pack of bottled water to the trunk and replace it every few months. By rotating the water bottles into the house, you’ll always have fresh water handy, even if you have to wait for it to melt. Gallon jugs work well, too, but individual bottles are designed to be stacked and stored, and will be easier to ration and share as needed.
- Add non-perishable food supplies to your kit. Items like dry granola bars, cereal, ramen noodles and fruit chews have a long shelf life and won’t be harmed by heat or cold. Replace these items about twice a year and you’ll always have a source of fresh food on hand. Hot drink mixes like hot chocolate are a good choice as well, but pass on soft drinks and alcohol, they take up too much space and are detrimental to your bodies water supply. Which in an emergency you want to retain water.
- Visit the camping store and pick up some iodine or water purification tablets. These won’t take up much space, and can be used to treat natural water sources if you happen to be near one.
- Do wander around your car and forage if the weather is acceptable, but don’t eat unidentifiable berries or mushrooms. It might be a good idea to pick up a good survival book and include that in your car to refer to just incase.
Emergency Supplies:
- Cell Phone: Always travel with a cell phone, and keep it charged. If you are stranded in an area without service, find the highest point and try the phone again, you may get a few bars if you are willing to climb a bit.
- First Aid kit: Keep a fully stocked first aid kit in the car at all times; you will be able to patch up small injuries and prevent infections. It may also be a good idea to plan for the worst so be sure to include pain relievers, gauss, and wipes.
- Medication: If you take prescription medication, have a small stash of extra pills in your purse or backpack. Some medications are designed to be taken daily, and interrupting them can be dangerous. Remember any medication your children take. You wouldn't want to miss your son or daughters ADHD medication while stranded in a car.
- Flares: Have some simple flares on hand, and if needed set them off away from the car to attract attention.
- Collapsible shovel: Pack a compact, collapsible shovel in the kit as well; shoveling snow and ice isn’t fun, but it beats being stranded in the car.
Once you have gathered all of your emergency supplies, layer them in a plastic tub, with the non-food items on the bottom. Put the tub into the trunk and forget about it until you need to rotate the supplies or actually use the kit. Consider doing a review and rotation of your emergency kit every time you change the oil in your car, and you’ll always have fresh water and supplies on hand.
