Your car can be many things: a safe haven from the rain during a storm, your own concert hall when you’re driving by yourself, and what gets you from point A to B. We spend a lot of time in our cars. Unfortunately, that means there’s a lot that can go wrong while we’re in them. Some emergencies you may experience in a vehicle might seem obvious: getting stranded in the snow, an unexpected breakdown, or an accident. But, there are many other events that can either force you into utilizing your vehicle for shelter or disrupt your trip while you’re already driving.

Natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods mean that you and your family might need to evacuate your home. But, what happens if that disaster strikes while you’re driving? Will you have what you need to survive? In the event of an emergency, you may find yourself having to rely on your vehicle for more than just transportation, and that’s why you should be prepared to deal with any situation that may occur.

Prepare Your Vehicle

First things first: make sure that your car is always well maintained and fueled up. In an emergency, you need to trust that your vehicle will get you where you need to go without failing mechanically. Also, keep in mind that in a disaster situation that necessitates evacuation, fuel will quickly become scarce and stopping to gas up takes precious time you could be using to get to safety. Imagine that half a tank is your new empty and never let the level get below that. Get familiar with basic auto repairs and always keep a tool kit in your car. Check your spare tire to make sure it’s properly inflated and learn how to use the jack to change a flat if needed.

Other items you should include:

  • Your vehicle’s repair manual
  • Jumper cables
  • Battery charger
  • Fix-a-flat or other tire sealant
  • Extra motor oil
  • Gas can
  • Flares or a reflective triangle
  • Ice scraper
  • Work gloves

 

Items Essential For Your Comfort and Survival

Even in the best conditions, car rides can be uncomfortable. During an emergency, you never know how long you’ll be in your vehicle or what conditions you may face outside. While you could bring along everything but the kitchen sink, you should include items you absolutely must have in your car no matter the circumstances.

Tailor your list as needed, but here are a few things that you should keep in your car at all times to ensure your comfort and survival:

  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight and spare batteries
  • High calorie, portable food (MRE’s, protein bars, etc.)
  • Wool blanket
  • Survival knife
  • Drinking water
  • Matches or other fire starter
  • Spare clothes
  • Duct tape
  • Note pad and pen
  • Folding shovel
  • Backpack to carry everything above if you have to leave your vehicle

 

Your Preparedness Matters

No matter what gear or tools you have, the most important aspect is your own mental preparedness. Staying calm and knowing what to do during an emergency can be the deciding factor in your survival. Take the time to study essential skills and learn about different types of emergencies. Get started today at Shadow Fox.

 

A survival knife should be on hand when a situation calls for a survival tool that is versatile, reliable, and deadly. Their simple design and quiet effectiveness make them an indispensible item in any emergency situation. They don’t require ammunition, they can serve a variety of purposes, and they are a self-defense weapon perfect for close combat needs.

Check Out These Extra Features
Survival knives are probably best known for having a variety of features that allow them to be used for quite a few different purposes. Check out the handle of this type of knife for some unique features.

  • You can spot a survival knife by its hollow handle. These types of handles are used to hold a small survival kit made up of any combination of fire strikers, fishing line, hook, a needle and thread, or matches and striking paper. Any of these can be a critical element in a survival situation. Give each of the contents a through trial run and practice using them so that you are familiar with them when the need arises.
  • On some models of survival knife, you will find the handle wrapped in cord that can be useful in several types of emergency scenarios: tying down belongings, stringing up food bags, combat situations, and wilderness first-aid just to name a few.
  • At the end of most survival knife models you will also find a compass built in. The benefits of having a compass accessible are obvious, given that the knife carrier is knowledgeable on how to best use it. Take your compass out for orienteering practice runs to get familiar with it. Keep in mind your direction and location in relation to important landmarks so that you can use the compass if lost or disoriented.

The Heart of a Survival Knife is the Blade
The larger sized survival knife brings a heft and length that makes it more reliable for tasks that a smaller pocketknife couldn’t handle.

  • The survival knife you should be carrying on you should be equipped with a sawback blade. It makes your knife capable of making larger branches into purposeful firewood or materials for constructing a shelter.
  • The knife’s usefulness in food preparation and preparing animal kills pretty much goes without saying. Just be sure to keep in mind that, just as with any crucial tool, a survival knife requires near constant cleaning.
  • Be sure your survival knife is full tang. This means that the blade extends down into the handle in one single, solid piece. A full tang survival knife will be stronger, more durable, and endlessly reliable.
  • When used for self-defense, a survival knife can really prove its worth. You’ll spot a quality survival knife when it has a sharp pointed tip. When considering blade design, this is an essential element for survival. A sharp pointed tip increases the knife’s ability to defend in a combat situation or for hunting.

You should be carrying a survival knife because it is an essential tool in situations that require you to complete a variety of tasks. You may not be able to carry much with you or may need to move quietly and a knife serves excellently. Crack open the handle for more supplies that can keep you fed, warm and dry, and headed in the right direction. The survival knife is a dependable and versatile emergency tool.

It is crucial to human survival. Without it, humans can’t go on for more than three or four days. Our cells need it and it helps regulate our body temperature. Go too long without it, and our decision making abilities falter and our moods swing. Water. Survival in emergency situations depends on it.

The human body is about 60% water. It needs a constant supply in order to keep running smoothly. In times of stress and danger, water keeps our heads cool and our brains functioning correctly. If there are other dangerous elements resulting from something like a natural disaster, don’t sabotage yourself by failing to keep clean water available.

Make a plan for storing clean water that you can access in the event of an emergency. When a natural disaster like a flood or hurricane put water supplies at risk, you will want to have a supply ready. Communities rely heavily on a dependable and sanitary water supply, so if an event puts that in danger there could be panic. Avoid the rush to local markets for water by having a safe supply in store nearby.

The containers that you choose to hold the water should be clean and sanitized before filling. Try to use only new containers when you start the process, since there can be a risk of elements left behind in containers like milk jugs that are tough to spot. These can have significant effects on the cleanliness of the water. If you are choosing plastic containers, be sure to use food-grade plastics. These are identifiable by the recycling arrows and a number between 1,2,4,and 5. Carefully consider using a 1 grade container, since they are generally meant for only single use.

Glass and stainless steel containers are also options for water storage. Glass carries with it the danger of shattering, so weigh your options in this case. Glass does allow you to see inside and gauge the safety of the water visually, and that can go a long way. Stainless steel containers are an excellent option as well. You may find that these containers are more expensive than plastic, for a very similar effectiveness. Consider also the possible need to move or travel with your containers. Sturdy designs, handles, and accessible sizes are crucial if your reserves need to be relocated.

In order to determine how many containers to purchase, you’ll want to rely on the suggestion of about one gallon of water per person per day. Your supplies of water will need to keep you and anyone else with you healthy and hydrated for as long as you plan on utilizing the storage. Consider the ages and medical needs of your loved ones as well, as the younger and elderly populations are more vulnerable to the stresses that a lack of water can produce. During an emergency, water is useful for more than just drinking. It is necessary for washing any dishes, cleaning wounds, and bathing.

Finally, find a cool and dark place to keep your water stored. Any exposure to sunlight can rapidly decrease the shelf life of water, so be sure that the location is free from temperature fluctuation and light sources. The water should be stored in an orderly fashion and well labeled so that a count can be made easily. Water should be changed out at least every six months, so clear labels can be very effective.

In the event of a natural disaster or event that puts your local water supply in danger, have a cache of clean water accessible. Water is an absolute necessity for human survival and cannot be overlooked. In times of danger and stress, water keeps human bodies functioning well and keeps moods and decisions regulated. Plan out the location and the types of containers you’ll use. You can’t afford to overlook the importance of water storage for emergency situations.