Building Your Vehicle Survival Kit: Essentials for the Unpredictable Road
The open road is a thing of beauty and for most of us is required to get to our next outdoor destination. It beckons with the promise of adventure, but it also holds its share of unpredictability. Whether you're embarking on a cross-country journey, navigating rural backroads, or simply preparing for daily commutes, a well-stocked vehicle survival kit is your first line of defense against the unexpected. At Six Point Survival, we understand that preparation can make all the difference, transforming potential crises into manageable situations. Let's gear up and ensure you're ready for whatever the road throws your way.
Before we dive into the exact items, where and how to store them, lets at least get our mind right. Ask yourself, where am I going? How long will I be gone? what are potential risks? What is the weather? How reliable is my vehicle? What is my skillset? If I am goin to pack an item, do I have practice using it? I could go on and on here, but you get the idea. Start to really consider what you're packing and why. Sure a little reflective triangle that most kits have standard might make you feel a little better when changing a tire, but how else are you going to use that? Also consider what your basic needs are when building this. You'll need shelter (maybe your vehicle), water, food, medical needs, possibly a fire, and of course to get recovered at some point.
If you're looking to have a long term sustainment kit in the event you need to bug out, that is a different conversation. We will go over that in a different blog and make sure you fully understand what that look like. For now we're going to focus on some of the components of a basic kit that you can put in your vehicle for long term safety and comfort. All that said, if you don't know what an item is, how it works, or haven't ever used it, don't expect to need it in an emergency and be able to use it. These items should be muscle memory to use! Get them out, practice with them, and ensure that if they are close to their expiration date that you get a new one.
The Non-Negotiables: Core Components of Your Kit
Your vehicle survival kit should be comprehensive yet compact, tailored to support you through common roadside emergencies and more severe survival scenarios. We're building this with a couple different trains of though. One would be you hit a cow, pig, or drifted off the road away from cell service. Think back country road and there is an unexpected emergency, don't be caught with your pants down (literally and figuratively). A vehicle roll over could quickly turn into a long cold night. The second train of thought is you're on a commute and a natural disaster strikes. From an earthquake to a blizzard, hurricane to a landslide, these are all famous for leaving people stranded for unexpected multi-day events. Make you're you're ready to go with just a backpack! Here's what you can't afford to overlook:
1. Water and Non-Perishable Snacks
Hydration is paramount, especially in survival situations. It's extrememly situational but a good rule to remember is you have about 3 days without water before you die. While I'm well aware there are many stories of people going longer, it should be viewed as the exception not the rule. You also won't be operating well after 24 hours without it, so stay hydrated! If you want to pack all of your water, include at least a gallon of water per person. Keep in mind that water in plastic jugs in hot cars is probably a recipe for some super cancer in 10 years, but better to live another 10 years and fight a maybe battle than to die tomorrow from dehydration. We offer a ton of other options that are a bit lighter than carrying all your water at Six Point Survival so check us out if you don't want the burden of lugging everything around.
For food there are plenty of non-perishable snacks and meals ready to go. You have closer to 30 days of survival without any food so this isn't so much of a concern. Though if you get "hangry" maybe consider keep a nice stock of something. I'm partial to freeze dried meals but MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) work great too. Again make sure if these are getting close to expiring that you replace them. One of the reasons we recommend something like a freeze dried meal or MRE's over a box of granola bars or nuts is you're much less likely to grab an MRE for a little snack if you get hungry.
2. First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is indispensable. Bandaids are great and all, but if it can be fixed with a bandaid, we're not super concerned about your survivability. For this reason I typically will build my own and remember you get what you pay for. That $12.99 med kit from the local drug store is unlikely to stop an arterial bleed that you have from rolling your car after turning a cow into ground beef. Think more along the lines of major wound treatment. Items like a tourniquet, splints, hemostatic gauze, compression bandage, emergency blanket, required medical equipment such as epinephrin.
Your next checklist should be more of the little things. Bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, allergy, or other little things you'd find in a standard medical kit. These will typically come with gloves, scissors, and the like. Pack what you want but keep in mind the little kit just isn't enough. Make sure whether you build you own, buy multiple, or buy a mega kit, you're reviewing what's in it and making it fit your needs. Car accidents injure over 2 million people each year so make sure you're prepared.
3. Flashlights and Batteries
Okay so first off, while high end flashlights are very cool and I'm a big fan of them, if you have to hold it, you'll almost certainly become frustrated at some point. I'd take a $20 headlamp over a $100 flashlight in 90% of circumstances. I don't necessarily need the trick the critters for a 50 mile radius into thinking that it's daytime if I'm trying to change a tire and it's dark as the depths of Mordor out. Unless your mounting it somewhere and plan on attempting to blind your enemy, something light and easy to use it almost always fine. But don't let me stop you from living your best life.
That being said here is my opinion about any product you're buying. First: DON'T store any battery operated equipment with the battery in it (if it comes out that is). If you're batteries leak, your sweet gear is done. And B: Buy a product that uses a common battery size. If the flashlight you have only uses batteries that only power that torch or a lightsaber, you're kind of screwed in the event those batteries die. So get something that you don't have to buy from NASA, interoperability matters. And lastly: skip the gimmicky stuff. A light should do one thing, light things up. The ones that light fires, taze people, shoot rockets, etc are probably not a good route. I would however recommend something with a red light. Red light wont ruin your night vision. So if your using the moonlight to hike etc and just need a quick light, you'll appreciate that little red light.
Oh....one more thing on this. I am a very big fan of something that is easy to recharge. From a crank light to a little LED lantern, you can always use a little time to get what you need. They can also be recharged while you're driving or running your vehicle. Personally I'm a big fan of Goal Zero and their products.
4. Multi-Tool and Basic Repair Tools
Having a mini toolbox/bag can go miles. A good screwdriver, multi-tool, pliers, and a hammer can go a long way. If you really want to beef it up, figure out the most common nut and bolt sizes on your vehicle and throw a few wrenches in too. Most of the basic tools you can find for cheap at a second hand store too, don't feel the need to buy new. However make sure you do buy quality here, if your screwdriver breaks, you don't get another one. Don't forget about some other basics like jumper cables, fix a flat tire repair kits, and I really love keeping a battery jumper with me. It functions as an external battery for my phone and can jump my car. I never leave home without it. These have come WAY down in price and size since my first one in the early 2000's. At the size of a few phones stacked together and under $60, they're very reasonable for an emergency kit.
5. Warmth and Shelter
Depending on what led to you being stranded you may or may-not have your vehicle to stay in. Even if you do, when it's 0 degrees outside, the inside of a car gets cold. Sure you can always start it and warm it up, but that only lasts as long as your gas. Get use to being uncomfortable. Down clothes will pack down the smallest but leaving them compressed will also damage them and limit their usefulness, plus they are expensive. I absolutely love my Patagonia Jacket but they aren't cheap and again wouldn't want to leave it packed in my car.
Opt for packing something like a survival blanket, wool blanket, and some good gloves. Also if you haven't noticed yet, all of the items I recommend are bright colors. If you're trying to stay alive and are going to carry stuff, might as well double as a good signaling device. You're unlikely to signal someone with a camo print blanket. If you want to find out more about signaling, staying warm, or making fires, follow us here.
6. Communication Devices
A fully charged cellphone with a portable charger is crucial. If you can equip your vehicle with internet service this will help as well, though I understand why many people don't. Again the situation may not allow for you to use your car so consider a solar charger for extended emergencies and a hand-crank emergency radio for updates on weather and news. I like these dual - tri purpose ones if you're looking to save a little money. In the end these only matter if you have service and a battery. So being able to keep a battery while navigating to somewhere you has service is super important. We teach some basic skills for conserving battery as well as navigation if you're interested in learning more.
Beyond the Basics: Customizing Your Kit
Tailoring your kit to specific needs and scenarios can significantly enhance your preparedness:
- Seasonal Items: Adjust your kit for the seasons, including items like sun protection and a hat for summer, or extra thermal layers and ice scrapers for winter. If you're visiting somewhere it's worth doing the few extra minutes of research to understand what the weather is and how the locals deal with it. The people that live there should have some good tips and tricks for you.
- Personal Needs: Include medications, eyeglasses, or contact lens supplies, and consider the needs of all regular passengers, including pets. If you have kids, consider packing a little toy or game as well. If you're stranded with a hungry toddler, a game or little stuffy can make a world of difference.
Staying Prepared: Maintenance and Mindset
Your vehicle survival kit is a dynamic resource that requires regular maintenance:
- Routine Checks: Schedule quarterly reviews of your kit to check expiry dates, battery life, and the condition of all items. Do this with your equipment and the vehicle itself. You'll want to keep yourself safe all the time!
- Knowledge and Training: Familiarize yourself with each item in your kit. Knowing how to efficiently use your resources can significantly impact your ability to manage emergencies - enough said.
- Practical Packing: Store your kit in a compact, accessible container in your vehicle. Everything should be organized and easy to reach in an emergency. If you hit something head on and your pinned into your seat, can you reach your med kit? Something to keep everything organized, close, and in place if you crash is super helpful. I'm personally a fan of these seat organizers. These keep everything within arms reach of you and all your passengers. They also allow for daily usability. You can also consider packing a backpack and buckling it into the back middle seat but if you have a family this is goin to cause some issues.
In Conclusion
A well-prepared vehicle survival kit is more than just a collection of items; it's a manifestation of a proactive and prepared mindset. It ensures that you're not just reacting to emergencies but actively managing them with confidence and efficiency. At Six Point Survival, we're committed to empowering you with the knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate the uncertainties of both the great outdoors and the open road. Remember, preparation today secures safety tomorrow. Stay safe, stay prepared, and let the adventures continue. ------No one is coming to save you------
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