Being unprepared in a vehicle emergency can be as dangerous as being unprepared for any other type of survival situation.

You must have certain basics, no matter what you might face!

Flashlight

It is dark, you are on a deserted back road, and your car stalls on you. Don’t go outside without turning on a flashlight first. The last thing you want is to add a sprained ankle to the problem!

I actually keep two flashlights in my glove compartment. One is a really big, heavy flashlight. Not only is it super bright, but it can be used in self-defense for blinding an attacker by shining the light in his eyes and then bashing him over the head with it.

The other flashlight is a headlamp.

Headlamps are awesome because they give you light while freeing up your hands.

Even in non-emergency situations this is a big help.

First Aid Kit

I’ve got a complete first aid kit in the trunk of my car as well as a mini version in the glove compartment. The main item here is heavy sterile gauze in case someone sustains arterial bleeding which needs to be controlled right away.

Seatbelt Cutter

I’ve actually got one of these on my keychain, but have an extra one in my glove box too. Not being able to escape a vehicle because of a caught seatbelt is a very-real problem!

Window Breaker

Along with the seatbelt cutter, you’ll want a window breaker in your emergency glove box kit (the item above incorporates both).

Don’t think that you are so tough that you can smash through a car window with your hand. You might succeed, but slice open an artery in the process!

Road Map and Compass

Don’t get spoiled by GPS! Navigation systems fail and you could find yourself very, very lost.

Nothing beats a standard paper road map and compass for navigation – just make sure you actually learn how to read a map.

Poncho

What good is a raincoat in your trunk if you get all wet while going out to get it?

Wet = Cold = Death

Seriously, staying dry is important so make sure you’ve got a poncho in your glove compartment in addition to the change of clothes and rain jacket you should have in your trunk emergency car kit.

When we talk about survival, most of us are referring to a situation that is massive and affects much more than just us.

The reality is you are far more likely to get into trouble with your vehicle, especially in you live in a remote or rural area!

That is why you must have some basic equipment in addition to survival food and water; to learn other equipment you should have in your vehicle at all times, please visit Primal Survival.