Survival
- A case of water bottles or cleaned 2-liter soda bottles, refilled with tap water, and tightly capped. These bottles can be reused.
- Water filter. Preferably a Sawyer .02 purifier or RapidPure purifier which are both lightweight and highly portable.
- LED flashlights and/or headlamps.
- Rain ponchos.
- Emergency radio. Choose a model that is both solar- and battery-powered.
- Heavy-duty trash bags.
- Reflective emergency blanket/sleeping bag.
- Duct tape. (There is always a use for duct tape.)
- Fleece blankets. I roll these up and store them under the back seat for easiest access. They can be used as a window shade, ground cover, changing pad and in so many other ways.
- 50 yards, or more. Paracord is a lightweight nylon, general purpose utility rope.
- Multi-purpose knife.
- Extra batteries. For everything in your kit that requires a battery.
- Hand/foot warmers.
- Work gloves.
- Small shovel.
- Fire-starters, such as waterproof matches, flint or a Blast Match, which shoots sparks with three times the heat of a standard match.
- Multi-tool.
- Light sticks. These are great to keep the kids entertained but also helpful for keeping track of them after dark.
- High quality first-aid kit.
- Small pair of scissors.
- Collapsible nylon bag or small backpack. If you ever must leave your vehicle for safer ground, this will enable you to take the most essential items with you.
- Walking shoes for each member of the family. You will give thanks for having sturdy, comfortable shoes stashed in the car if you ever must hoof it to safety.
- Floppy cotton hat.
- Make sure you only pack those that are not temperature-sensitive.
- Face mask. Even a simple dust mask comes in handy around a forest fire or high level of smog.
- Bug repellent.
- Survival and first aid manuals.
Sanitation
- Toilet paper. Keep a 4-pack handy; remove the cardboard tubes and flatten.
- Hand sanitizer. Store in a quart-size zip-top bag to avoid leakage.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. Travel sizes make these easier to pack. Pack a set for each member in a zip-top bag labeled with each person’s name.
- Plastic tablecloth. This can cover questionable surfaces when you’re ready for a meal or a diaper change.
- Trash bags. These are good for lining an emergency potty, which could be a 5-gallon bucket or a toddler potty.
- Baby wipes.
- Bar of soap. Store in a zip-top bag or soap box.
- Disinfecting wipes.
- Feminine protection.
- Small box of tissues.
- Zip-top bags in different sizes. These come in handy for holding dirty laundry, dirty diapers, or trash, and can even be used to hold water.
Sustenance
- Energy bars. Choose high-calorie options; they are lightweight but provide the calories you will need in a small dose.
- V-8 juice.
- Sport drink, pre-made or a mix.
- Peanut or other nut butters in foil packets.
- Dried fruit.
- Applesauce/fruit cups.
- Hearty, whole wheat crackers.
- Hard candies.
- Tuna packs.
- Dry cereal.
- Jam/jelly cups.
- Trail mix. Make sure there’s no chocolate (which would melt in high temperatures).
- Shelled sunflower seeds.
Security
- Cash, coins. Power outages also take out ATM machines. Having cash for gas, a restaurant meal or hotel room might put you ahead of those who only have a debit or credit card.
- Disposable camera. This could be very helpful in documenting a car accident, license plates, injuries, or storm damage.
- Pepper spray. This is good bear spray if your travels take you through bear country.
- Emergency phone numbers on a laminated card.
Snivelware / Sanity
- Deck of cards.
- Foam ear plugs.
- Books on CD, paperbacks.
- Inspirational or motivational book.
- Small journal/pen or pencil.
- Lip balm.
- Battery-powered fan
General Supplies
- Coffee can or other empty and clean food can
- 60-inch length string (cut into 3 equal pieces - used to suspend can)
- 3 large safety pins (tie string to safety pins and pin to car roof interior to suspend can over candle)
- 1 candle 2" diameter (place on lid under suspended can for melting snow). Canned Sterno will also work to heat water.
- 1 pocket knife, reasonably sharp (or substitute with scissors)
- 3 pieces of bright cloth 2" wide x 36" long (tie to antenna or door handle)
- Several packets of soup, hot chocolate, tea, bouillon cubes, etc. (mixed into melted snow to provide warmth and nutrition)
- Plastic spoons
- Packages of easy to eat, high energy foods like peanuts and candy or canned, ready-to-eat soups or fruit
- 1 pair of socks at least 80% wool and 1 pair of gloves or glove liners
- Cotton is not recommended, it provides no insulation when wet (cotton kills even in moderate weather)
- Extra
- Extra clothing
- Sleeping bag
- Blanket 100% wool
- 2 packages of book matches
- Windproof lighter
- 1 sun shield blanket or 2 large green or black plastic leaf bags (to reflect body heat)
- 1 flash light and batteries (keep separate)
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper and sealable container for bathroom purposes
- Fire extinguisher
- Small tool kit
- Shovel
- Sand or other traction aid
- Tow chain Heavy Duty
- 20 ft x 3 in.Heavy Duty Recovery Strap (rated at 2-3x the weight of your vehicle)
- Jumper cables
- Charged jump box
- Tire plug kit
- Spare tire valve caps
- Spare tire valve cores
- 12vdc 150 lbs air compressor
- Road flares or warning lights strobe
- Gas line antifreeze
- Large plastic garbage bag
- Pencil stub and paper
- Plastic whistle
- Map / Road Atlas
- Phone contact list and addresses (hardcopy)
- Roll of high quality duct tape (Gorilla tape or equivalent)
- 6 mil clear plastic sheeting (in case you break a window or more when you slide off the highway)
Place the survival kit in the passenger compartment in case you go into a ditch and cannot get to or open the trunk. Put all items in a plastic storage container and place in vehicle when traveling starting in mid-October.
