What should be in a car emergency kit



What you carry for an emergency depends on two things, what sort of traveling you are doing and what sort of skills you have. For the daily commute to work only the minimum of food, water and survival equipment are needed but for off road, long distance travel, or travel into uninhabited mountains, deserts or swamps where a wrong turn could lead to being cut off from civilization more substantial equipment and supplies may be needed. A doctor, nurse or EMT should have a more extensive medical kit. See here for an example. A mechanic will want more tools and supplies. Read this guide and make your own check list based on your projected needs, use your list to verify readiness and functionality monthly and before long trips. Recognize multiple use items, a tire iron can be used for removing lug nuts, as a pry bar, a digging stick, a hammer, and a weapon. A cell phone can also be a flashlight. A folding camp shovel is also an ax or weapon.



Communication:



The single most important item to have with you in an emergency is a cell phone and a car charger. Calling for outside assistance can't be beat. Also a list of phone numbers, if your phone is lost or damaged and some good Samaritan offers their phone, do you have the number of friends or family written down where you can call them? Do you have the phone and membership number of your auto club?



A prepaid calling card and a few dollars in quarters for a pay phone.
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A cheap prepaid cell phone and an extra prepaid card and a car charger for this phone.

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An auxiliary way to charge your phone, such as a solar charger or hand crank radio with outputs for cellphones and common adapters. There are some cool emergency radios with flashlights, sirens and am/fm radio for sale on line for less than $20, and even cooler ones for more money that can charge your laptop and have GPS capability.

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Don't forget the low tech always ready whistle and signal mirror.

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Store your emergency electronics in a plastic zip lock bag to protect from moisture and inside another bag or container to protect from physical damage.

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Medical Kit:

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Basic first aid kit including bandages, gauze, tape, scissors, needles, tweezers, anti-biotic ointment, first -aid instructions, sunblock, chapstick, Tylenol, aspirin, antacids, Benadryl, insect repellent, instant hot and cold compresses, single edge razor blades, scalpel.

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Tools and equipment:

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I am a mechanic and always travel with an extensive array of tools, for my own emergencies and those of others. I have replaced a timing belt and a clutch on the side of the road, which most readers will not be doing. When I do periodic maintenance on my auto the used but still functional parts, like belts, hoses or spark plugs, go in the trunk to be available as spares if needed.

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Basic tools include; lineman’s pliers or large needle nose pliers with wire cutters, #2 phillips and a couple sizes of slotted screwdrivers, 10 inch adjustable wrench, and a large cheap lock blade knife. In an emergency many tools have uses the manufacturer never intended, knives and screwdrivers become chisels and pry bars, a large wrench can be a hammer. Rocks also make good hammers.

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A Leatherman or multi-tool is a nice addition to any emergency tool kit

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Inexpensive tool kits sold as loss leaders at auto parts stores or department stores are a good way to have some tools in a car that you won't worry about being stolen or lost on some dark, cold, wet and muddy dirt road.

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Changeable bit screwdriver with bits for hex, slotted, phillips, torx and other patented fasteners. Small sockets and L or T-handle for the same. These are commonly sold in sets and contain a number of tools in a small and inexpensive kit.

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A quality sharp knife not used as a chisel or pry bar and small honing stone.

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Jumper cables, car jack and handle, lug wrench (another hammer), tire gauge, spare tire, tow rope, fire extinguisher, gas can, folding camp shovel.

Supplies like antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, fix-a-flat, duct tape, electrical tape, rags, paper towels, waterless hand cleaner, spare fuzes, hose clamps, wire.

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Food and water:

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I always carry a gallon of drinking water and jar of peanuts in my car. The water can also be poured in the radiator or windshield washer and the empty jug refilled from a nearby house, unattended fire station or nearby creek, I've done all three. A home owner in the country may not open the door for you but holding up an empty water jug and pointing to the garden hose will seldom be responded to in anger and can be understood in many languages.

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Nuts, granola bars and any food that will keep for a long time makes good emergency rations. MRE's and survival food are sold for this purpose. Lots of drinking water if you are traveling in desolate areas, half a gallon per day per person.

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Clothing and shelter:

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Extra clothing, a blanket, sleeping bag, 8 x 10 tarp, gloves, cold weather gear, heavy trench coat, hats, chemical hand warmers.

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Fire and light:

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Strike anywhere matches in sealed container, a couple of butane lighters, candles, flashlight and extra batteries, another flashlight, more matches in different location in your car, flint and steel, tinder, flammable liquids like charcoal starter. Practice making a fire. If you go camping spend some time starting a fire with a flint and steel, learn how to do it with a hand drill and fire board.

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Other survival equipment:

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Cash in small bills, quarters, visa gift card.

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Pencil and paper.

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Deck of cards.

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Compass, maps, portable GPS.

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Toilet paper, soap, diapers, baby butt wipes, toothbrush.

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Water filter straw, purifying tablets, chlorine bleach.

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Sitting around a camp fire in the Jemez mountains in New Mexico we started talking about the 3 most needed items of survival equipment not counting water, my choices were a big knife, a compass, and a Visa card. I had no doubts I could walk out in a day or so and would sure want a burger and hotel room when I did. Wilderness survival and urban survival are two different things but the goal is the same. The rule of 3's: You can survive 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, 3 hours without shelter.