EDC Car Kits

via APN

We have recently been discussing what EDC means, EDC KeyRings, and 72 Hour BOB’s are.  In this article, we will be discussing what an EDC car kit means to us and to you.  We will also go over a few items that you should always have in your car and hopefully give some new ideas and perspective on the what and why’s of these items.

Now I have a small challenge for you!  Go out to your car and pull all the items out of your car. (Trunk too!) Then separate them into two piles.  The first pile being items you could use in an emergency/survival situation, and the second pile for items you can’t.  Are you beginning to realize that you might not be carrying items that you should be?  If you do have a lot of items that can help you or your family in a bad situation then hooray for you!!  Great job!!



Some basic items everyone should already have :

• First Aid Kit(s): I personally prefer my pre made kit, but some people would rather buy one.  The choice is yours.
• Tire repair kit: This might include; air inflate and sealant , fix a flat, tire iron, tire jack, gloves, and spare tire.
• Air Compressor
• Jumper Cables
• Water: At least a gallon.  We keep 3 gallons in our trunk.
• Window Scraper: For ice/Snow
• Tools: Screw drivers, oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, adjustable wrench, slip joint pliers, Allen wrench set, tow line.
• Serpentine Belt
• Radiator Hose

Some things that you may not have thought of:

• Salt:Rock Salt is commonly used to melt snow and ice.  In our winter EDC car kit, we have a rubber made container full of rock salt.  There have been times when I was leaving work and there was ice in the parking lot (it slopes upwards to get out) and I can not get traction to drive off the lot.  This is the perfect time to have this in your vehicle.  As we all know, the winter can be dangerous and you never know when you might slide off the road, due to ice, and rock salt comes in very handy to be able to get going again.  How many of us have a hard time walking on ice to get to the door from your car?  This is another perfect example of a good time to have rock salt in your trunk.  It is much cheaper to have the salt then fall and end up in the emergency room.
• Emergency Items: Road flares, small or fold up shovel
• Tire Chains: If you live in an area where these are necessary.
• Seat Belt cutter: I leave mine in my glove box and I also have one on my key chain.
• Tin Cans & Tea Light Candles: These can be used if the snow/ice packs up around your tires and you do not have rock salt. Put the candle in the tin can and set it on either side of the tire to melt the snow/ice. (the can will get hot) If worse comes to worse, it can also be used as a heat source.
• Roll of toilet paper

The following items I would recommend having in a sturdy backpack.  Most of these items are going to be in a 72 hour bug out bag, and, in fact, it is a 72 hour set up for your car.  For individual items, please have one for each family member, i.e. poncho, water bottle, space blanket etc.

Food and Water:

• Water purification tablets
• Filtration water bottle for each family member
• Several gallons of water or emergency water pouches
• Food/energy bars, powdered soups, camping meals, nuts, jerky or any other snack that will not go bad for a while in the trunk. Make sure to change these items out often to make sure.

Shelter and Element Protection:

• space blanket
• Magnesium fire starter/striker and lighter
• Poncho with hood
• Emergency tube tent
• Wool Blanket
• Change of clothes according to season
• Bandana
• Hand and Foot warmers
• Fire starting gear

Communications and Lighting:

• Flashlight and extra batteries or a solar hand cranked powered light with an all weather radio and USB device charger.
• Glow sticks

Other items:

• Emergency whistle
• Work gloves
• Survival Guide/ First Aid book
• Multipurpose tool/Swiss army knife
• Duct tape
• Deck of cards, note pad, pencils/pens, List of phone numbers
• Signal Mirror
• Pocket Stove
• Hygiene items: wet wipes, toilet paper, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, diapers if you have small kids.  (I buy travel size items for my car kits)
• Pre-Paid calling phone & card/ emergency cash
• 3 days of prescribed medication
• Compass/ local street map and state map
• Mess kit/utensils
• Walking shoes/socks

The important thing to remember is to plan for anything can happen in/to your car.  You can break down on the highway and get help quickly or you can break down on a dirt road somewhere and end up walking 10-20 miles before you find civilization again.  Being prepared is always the best thing you can do for you and your family, so just do it. It will make you feel more secure knowing you have taken all the measures possible to get you home in an emergency.
As always, I hope this helps ya!!

Keepin It Spicy,
Jalapeno Gal