AKA Vehicle Get Home Bag
The following is our list of recommended items everyone should have in their vehicle. These will help you get out of a tight spot, not if, but when you’re in one.
A change of clothes- including some athletic shoes
For this I have a pair of running pants (a step above sweats), a t-shirt, a pair of good socks, and a pair of Nike’s. Honestly, the biggest emergencies I’ve needed these for was when I had a pair of pants rip, or when I got my shirt really dirty doing a project at work. Either way, I like to have these in case I’m not dressed to handle an emergency practically, or if I need to walk to go get help. It’s nice to have some athletic clothing.
A jacket
I keep a windbreaker type jacket in my car. It’ll keep me plenty warm down to about 32 degrees if I’m walking or jogging. It’s also a great thing to have if I’m having to wait in a cold car
A blanket
This blanket is military wool, which is durable and warm and because its wool, it’ll still be warm even if it gets wet. Wool is the survivalist material of choice. This blanket isn’t just good for survival or emergency situations. It can also come in handy if one of your passengers likes to have the heater on in the summer, or if they don’t like using the heater in the winter. It’s always nice to have a blanket.
A tow rope
If you’re stuck in a snow drift, or you’ve slid into the mud and you’re stuck, odds are fair that a nice person may stop to offer to help. If you’ve got a tow rope, they can give you a bigger pull than 5 helpers could give if they got out and pushed. You also can be towed behind a vehicle for a while if you have two people who know what they’re doing. If you want to learn more about how to do that, here’s a good YouTube Video.
Tiedown Straps
I’ve had to use tiedown straps to hold my vehicle together after an accident as I limped that poor car to where it could be repaired. I’ve strapped things to my vehicle. There are so many applications that tiedown straps can have. Tiedown straps are the paracord of the vehicle world. I love them.
Water
Having water bottles in your car is so essential. If you break down during the summer, it can be a life saving resource. It can get really hot in a car. It’s important to stay hydrated. I keep at least 4 bottles with me at all times. More in the summer months.
A couple MREs
One of my hardcore prepper friends mostly sticks with lifeboat rations. These are compact and have all the nutrients you need, but I’d much rather have an MRE. MRE’s have heating packs if you need to heat up your food, and you can essentially have yourself a good meal without needing a heat source to cook your meal.
Snacks
I also have granola bars and fruit snacks to keep my daughter happy if I need to in the short term. Fruit snacks make kids calm down. Calm kids = calm parents. Calm parents handle situations better. Keep some fruit snacks on hand.
Jumper Cables
If you don’t have jumper cables, just stop. You need those. This is how you revive your battery when it dies. If your car battery is dead, you don’t go anywhere. Get some of these and have a set in every vehicle you own! You don’t want to rely on random person’s preparedness. Have your own. Also, longer ones are much easier to use.
A Tool Kit
It helps to know a little bit about fixing cars, but even if you don’t, just having the tools will make it easier for a good Samaritan to come help you. Also, if you’re stranded with cell service, pull out google and YouTube. They can get you out of a lot of tight spots.
A battery pack
If your phone is dead, and your car battery is dead, you won’t be able to use the phone charger connected to your car. I keep a battery pack in my emergency kit. I like the ones with solar panels as well. If you don’t have a plan c, you’ll still be up a creek without a paddle when your battery pack is empty. Keep it charged AND go solar.
A Knife
I’ve always got a knife in my pocket, but I always seem to need one on the odd event that I don’t have one in my pocket. If you have one in your kit, you’ll be sure to have it. I go with a multitool for my vehicle emergency kit. That way I’ve got extra tools and a knife.
Headlamp
Even if its not super dark outside, if you need to work under your car or even under the hood, it’s pretty dark under there. You’ll want a light even if its mid day a lot of the time. Headlamps are great for working on vehicles because it keeps your hands free. It’s also nice if you need to bug out and leave your vehicle as well. It stays pointed where you’re looking.
A Lighter
Lighters are extremely handy. If I’m not in an urban setting, I’ve usually got a lighter with me. If I’m in an urban setting, I usually don’t have a lighter too far away. It’s always nice to be able to make a fire if you need to. Cold? Make a fire. Need help? Signal fire. Want an impromptu camp fire just for fun? Done.
Flares
Flares are great for alerting vehicles that you may be stalled out on the side of the road. Because it burns, its very visible at night. Flares also make decent fire starters as well if you’re in a pinch.
A First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is critical if you need one. They’re inexpensive, and relatively small. If you need one and don’t have it, you’re in trouble. It’s peace of mind and one of the most crucial things on this list.
Battery Terminal Cleaner Tool
If your car won’t start, its probably a dead battery. If you try to jump it and it still won’t start, one of the common reasons is that your terminals are corroded. If you see any white or greenish powder around your car battery terminals, that’s corrosion. If it builds up enough, it’ll disrupt the connection from your car to your battery. This is a small, really inexpensive tool that you will be really glad you have some day. I promise.
A Life Straw
A life straw is a simple water filter. There are better ones on the market, but there aren’t easier and more compact ones that are as trusted. You just drink through the filter like a straw. If you run out of water, you’re going to want a filter between you and needing to drink mysterious swamp water.
Gloves
Sometimes the job requires you to do some serious work with your hands. Cars are also metal. You know what else is metal? A cheese grater. Some of the work you may need to do can chew up your hands. Gloves just make things nicer for you. I’ve never been disappointed that I had gloves available, but I have been upset I didn’t have them before.
The Bag
If you’ve got an old backpack you want to use, great. That’ll work. I personally like to have my emergency kits in a waterproof backpack. It gives me additional peace of mind, especially because my kid likes to throw her juice. My stuff is safe and secure.
Emergency Kit
If you want to just start with a premade kit, you can just buy one. The quality may not be as good, and it won’t have everything I recommend, but it’s a start. This kit in particular looked pretty good and doesn’t look like it includes extra fluff. Some kits include a tape measure as one of their tools. I’ve never used a tape measure or even wanted a tape measure for roadside repairs. I can’t even think of a time I’ve needed a tape measure to repair a car at all. This kit is a good start and includes a lot of the things I’ve mentioned.
