Vehicle Preparedness Kits
A lot of people have been asking us about what kit(s) to keep in their vehicle. The short answer is that no matter where you go you should keep your main gear pack with you, as well as supplemental kits, such as cold weather gear and tools, as a couple of examples.
It also depends where you live, how far you travel on a daily basis, what time of year it is, what your climate is like, what kind of shape you’re in, and so on. Below is a basic list to get you started.
Water
One of the first things outside of my normal kit that I keep in my vehicle is extra water. I’ll keep extra water in my vehicle during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, as well as a water filter, and during the winter I keep a single wall stainless steel container for boiling water or melting ice.
Keeping a stainless-steel bottle in my kit is standard all year round anyway, so it’s not something I need to think about adding during the winter. I have also gotten into the habit of keeping water bottles in my vehicle during the winter as well but taking them out when I’m not in my vehicle.
Medical Gear
Even if you have an IFAK (individual first aid kit) in your main gear pack that you keep in your vehicle, I would highly recommend another IFAK for your vehicle, such as a headrest IFAK. You’re going to want a medical kit easily reachable in the event of an accident or incident. I would also highly recommend keeping an extra tourniquet on your person at all times.
Essential Tools
Some basic tools to keep in your vehicle would include:
- A roadside assistant kit that includes flairs and jumper cables
- Empty gas can and gas siphon
- Fire extinguisher
- Shovel (the shovel becomes especially important during the wintertime)
- Basic tool set (sockets, wrenches, crowbar, pliers, etc.)
- Tire inflator and/or fix-a-flat
- Road maps
- Glass break and seatbelt cutter (should be a tool on your person)
Mobility items
If you have room in your trunk, you may want to consider a folding mountain bike or small scooter. If you happen to get stranded miles away from a gas station, having a folding bike could be a real time saver. I would also recommend keeping a good pair of extra walking shoes or boots in your vehicle if you wear dress shoes to work.
Basic Winter Kit items
- Queen sized wool blanket
- Snow boots
- Wool Hat and/or balaclava
- Insulated gloves or mittens
- Polypropylene bottoms and top
- Quality Winter jacket and pants
- Folding Shovel
- Small snow sled (may come in handy with your main pack + all your winter gear if you need to leave your vehicle)
I also update my main gear pack to remove any items that can freeze during the winter, add warmer extra clothing, and more robust shelter gear as opposed to what I would normally pack during the warming months.
So many people travel in their vehicles during the colder months without worrying about winter clothing or shoes because they are only going from point A to B, and they have heat in their car. Being unprepared for emergencies or unexpected events is what gets you into trouble, so while I’m not saying wear winter boots to your office party; I am saying keep winter boots in your vehicle on the way to the party.
There are quite a few other items that should be carried in your vehicle, but as part of your main gear pack, and you can see the list we put together in one of our previous blogs HERE.
– Jesse, owner of The Survival Summit
