Car Survival Kits
If you want to escape a situation, your car is probably your best go-to tool. Also a good place to store stuff.
Cars have substantially more carrying space than anything else in the survival space (unless you have a bus).
Especially for perishables, either keep you car in a cool, dark place, or have boxes that can easily and quickly be put into your vehicle. This is really important. Containers that fit your car snugly are best. Practice loading the car quickly.
A car might have lots of space, but completely filling it up is not necessarily good:
- No room for extra people/things
- Weight – heavier means more fuel used
- Trailers give you more space, but are very heavy on their own, and not very manoeuvrable. A pickup or station wagon is preferable
- Roof racks are an option for light, bulky things
Think about how you present yourself. The more your vehicle reeks of fancy survival gear, the more someone will want to take it from you.
You can sleep in cars, but some are better than others. Getting good sleep in non-cramped places is preferable and can make a big difference to your functionality.
NOTE: The following excludes what should already be in your go bag or pocket survival kits
ACTUALLY FOR CARS
Fuel Can, with fuel. This could be really, really important, as petrol stations can’t pump gas without electricity. Rotate any petrol because it can go stale. Oil also!
Jumper cables. Consider longer than normal ones – you cannot predict the situation in advance. As with all survival gear, test!
Battery-powered jump starter. You can be a hero for others. Don’t go cheap. You might need to recharge it every month, so read the manual carefully. Bonus if it does other stuff, like has a lantern, AC power or charges phones. TIP: Write down important phone numbers and keep them in your wallet – phones die.
Power Inverter. Convert your car’s DC power into AC power for regular appliances etc. Quite cheap and potentially highly useful
Portable tire inflator. Use your car’s battery or cigarette lighter socket to pump up a tire.
Antifreeze. For any expected freezing or very hot conditions
Small spare parts. Depending on type of vehicle and age, these can include fuses and spark plugs and radiator stop leak.
Duct tape and WD-40
Car tool kit
Seat belt cutter and windscreen smasher. Velcro it within reach of driver and passenger.
Tow rope or chain. If your vehicle has a winch, bonus points! Also, at least 2 metal D-shaped shackles for linking to the vehicle you wish to tow. Where to attach them might be hard to find, you might need to remove a panel, but there will be something because when transported by ship, cars are tied down.
Ice scaper. For the windscreen
Spare tire/wheel. Two is better if possible. These are potentially critical. No space savers!
Your car’s manual. Should already be in your glovebox. Check.
GENERAL
Spade or shovel. If your car can fit a full-size tool, get that. Easier on your back, no moving parts to go wrong, and cheaper (but still go for quality).
Axe / wrecking tool / hammer / tool kit / wrench – take the lot. All very valuable for a variety of uses. And helping others. Forget survival or “tactical” products”
Bolt cutter. The bigger the better. Gets you into places.
First Aid Kit. The space of a car means you can potentially take more specialised gear with you. So take a regular first aid kit (band-aids, tweezers, gauze etc) but also tourniquets, combat gauze, something to clot blood… for a life and death emergency or trauma situation.
Food and Water. Water won’t go off if in the cool and dark. Water comes in one size. For very cold places, consider a soft-sided container and don’t fill it completely, as ice expands. Also, something to filter water – you have room for a quality device.
Food should be long life of course. Understand that tin cans add weight and aren’t so portable if you end up on foot. So take a mix of MREs (or ration bars), cans, packs of rice/pasta etc, all stored in vermin-proof containers.
Cooking equipment. Focus on using wood or scavenged combustibles. Have lids. Pots can carry other things inside them while traveling.
Fire. Heating/cooking/safety is so important, so carry multiple forms of lighting a flame with you. More than you think you will need. Can be bartered!
Paper maps. Regardless of every other form of navigation you have, take as many detailed maps of your expected journeys (on and off road) as you can. Maps are great value in the size/weight equation. And work without electricity! And a compass!
Fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Uncharted territory means improvised, ad hoc scenarios, purposeful fire for cooking/warmth. and maybe unhinged people. Accidental and unexpected fire is far more likely.
Extra clothing. This might be a multi-seasonal adventure, so have a jacket, blankets etc.
Heavy duty gloves. For fire (hot metal), broken glass, or even very cold conditions
Duct tape! And Fibre Fix, a tape that hardens like steel
Tarpaulin. Supreme multi-purpose item. Consider more than one.
Sleeping bags. These can be bulky and often not part of a go bag. But very important to have if there is room. Or woollen blankets.
Packs and tents. You cannot presume that your car will always be working or suitable. Be prepared to go on foot.
Umbrella. Heavy duty. Probably better weight/volume than wet weather gear.
Toilet Paper. A luxury yes, but can save time and keep someone calm. Maybe 4 rolls?
Solar power. For recharging things. Lots of portable options, or attach to your car roof.
Ropes and string. Different types
Saw or Axe. If a fallen tree is blocking your path…
Flashlight or Torch. You can carry big ones. Especially appealing if you have solar charging as well. Tip: keep the batteries in the flashlight, but reversed. A moment in time to fix vs the chance of it accidentally switching on and the batteries dying…