Samantha Daly
Building the ultimate car survival kit
You spend hours in your car each week – commuting to work, running errands, and taking the kids to
practices. You are prepared for a disaster to hit at home, but what if you find yourself in your car when
SHTF?
The best preppers are ready to survive anywhere, and that includes your car. Here are the top ten things
to include in the ultimate car survival kit to beat any accident, injury, or natural disaster:
1. Water. You should always have access to freshwater. Fill a BPA-free bottle with distilled water for
use in an emergency. Include water purification tablets as well, to clean water for extended periods in
an emergency.
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2. Fire Starter. A fire starter should be part of your everyday carry. Include a lighter, hurricane
matches, and/or flint in your car kit, in case you find yourself stranded in the cold. A good fire
starting tip is to pack a pencil sharpener to quickly shave twigs into kindling.
3. Emergency Blanket. A wool blanket is an absolute necessity in the case of cold or shock. If you live
in an area with frequent blizzards, consider including a Bivvy to retain body heat in an extreme
situation. You should also store a mylar blanket for each passenger seat in the car, as they fold flat
and can easily fit in small spaces.
4. Escape Tools. If your survival depends of escaping from your car after an accident, the proper
equipment is key. Store a multipurpose escape tool in the center console of your car for easy access.
It should include a seatbelt cutter and a tool to shatter glass.
5. First Aid Kit. Whether you buy a pre-made kit or create your own, your first aid kit should include
all the necessities to deal with an accident. Antibiotic ointment, gauze, bandages, and gloves can help
with most minor injuries or save you the time you need to seek professional care.
6. Cash. Money is vital in any SHTF situation. If you’re in an emergency and credit cards no longer
work, cash is your way of securing food, gas, and medicine. Hide a stash of money in your car
survival kit, just in case.
7. Food. Ration bars are an important addition to any survival kit. Choose bars that are non-thirst
provoking, because if you find yourself in a situation where you need ration bars, you probably have a
limited water supply. Consider storing snacks in your car as well. Things like beef jerky and dried
fruit are high in nutrients and stay good for an extended period.
8. Radio. Especially important in regions prone to natural disasters, an ambient weather radio could be
a lifesaving resource. Always keep a working phone charger in your car as well, so that if cell service
is working you can stay in communication with friends and family.
9. Car Repair Kit. A car repair kit is a must-have item. You are going to want a bit driver, drive ratchet
handle, slip joint plier, driver extension bar, spark plug socket, adapter, cable ties, drive sockets, and
bits. With these tools, and a working knowledge of basic car repair, you can fix most minor
problems.
10. Walking Shoes. If you commute to work every day, and there is a good chance that in an emergency
you would be stuck in business shoes, consider keeping a pair of tennis shoes in your car trunk. In
the case that your car will not start, you will be thankful to not have to walk miles in uncomfortable
shoes. Remember that if you are setting out on foot, you will need a compass and some landmarks to
find the car later.
The key to successful prepping is to be ready for disasters to strike anywhere, including on the road.
Having blankets, fire starters, and food and water can help you survive an extended period trapped in cold
conditions, and a car repair kit, first aid kit, and escape tools can assist in the case of a minor car accident.
You never know when an emergency will strike, but putting together a survival kit could save your life.
What else do you have in your car survival kit? Share your prepping strategies on the BattlBox Members Only Facebook Page.
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