Posted by Kyra Doyle
Every vehicle should be equipped with a roadside safety kit containing the essentials you need to fix minor mechanical issues and help ensure your well-being while awaiting emergency response. Wondering what to include in your car emergency kit? We’ve got you covered. This guide will explore the most important components of an auto safety kit.
Roadside and Mechanical Essentials
A flat tire or unexplained breakdown can be disastrous for unprepared drivers, but the right tools can help you get back on the road after certain types of mechanical failures. Essential items include:
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Jumper cables or a jump starter: Allow you to revive a dead battery using a donor vehicle. If you travel in remote or dangerous areas, a jump starter works without the help of a friendly stranger.
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Reflective triangles or flares: Help other drivers to see your disabled vehicle, especially at night, in the rain, or on a busy roadway.
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Flashlight or headlamp: Highly beneficial for inspecting tires, locating items in the trunk, and remaining visible as you deal with a breakdown.
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Tire gauge: Used to determine whether your tire is truly flat or just underinflated.
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Basic tools: Screw drivers, pliers, work gloves, zip ties, duct tape, and a compact multi-tool.
Survival and Comfort Items
While the right tools can often help with mechanical issues, they may not be beneficial after an accident or other unexpected event. Sometimes, it’s best to stay where you are and wait for assistance. That said, you’ll need to include the right survival items in your car emergency kit to ensure safe travel, especially in remote areas or extreme weather:
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Water and non-perishable food: Bottled water, protein bars, and other packaged snacks can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.
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Blanket: If your vehicle breaks down in cold weather, an emergency blanket can provide additional comfort and protection without taking up a lot of space in your car.
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Seasonal items: Customize the kit to your location and the types of natural disasters common in your region. Include extra clothing, hand warmers, and an ice scraper in cold climates. Incorporate additional water, sun protection, and cooling items in warm areas.
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Power bank or phone charger: A fully charged battery bank can keep you in contact with loved ones and emergency responders, even if your vehicle won’t start. Some models include solar charging for additional security.
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Cash: Digital payment methods may not be accepted or available, particularly during power outages or natural disasters. Carry a modest amount and store it discreetly.
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Physical map: GPS and navigation apps won’t work without adequate cell signal or a data connection.
First Aid and Medical Readiness
Carefully curated first aid supplies are a must for any car emergency kit, providing essential items you need to address cuts, burns, and other minor injuries.
However, vehicular travel can put you in situations where urgent medical care isn’t close by or readily available. In remote locations and high-traffic areas, emergency responders can take much longer to arrive than the 10- to 15-minute national average. If someone experiences a cardiac event or breathing emergency, every second matters.
A portable oxygen device is a compact, single-use canister that provides up to 20 minutes of oxygen. Designed for on-the-go use, the 5L canister, valve, and mask fit comfortably in a glovebox or trunk for easy access without occupying valuable cab space.
Keep in mind that emergency oxygen should be used alongside CPR efforts, not as a replacement.
Visibility and Communication Tools
In addition to flares, reflective triangles, and headlamps, a high-visibility vest can also make it much easier for passing drivers to see you from a distance. Reflective gear is essential if you become stranded at night, in bad weather, or along a dark road, shoulder, or highway. Be sure to store it in an accessible location you can reach before leaving your car.
But what about contacting emergency services or roadside assistance? Even with a fully charged smartphone, cell service isn’t always reliable. If you regularly travel to remote areas, consider investing in a satellite phone. Many of these devices support phone calls, SOS messages, and location sharing from anywhere in the world.
If this purchase feels unnecessary, just remember that redundancy is an advantage in an emergency situation. It’s better to have a satellite phone and not need it than find yourself without one when you need it most.
Building a Kit That's Actually Ready When You Need It
An emergency car essentials kit is only useful if the right supplies are accessible and usable when disaster strikes. Rotate the items in your kit every few months, replacing anything that’s expired, damaged, or missing. Replenish used batteries and charge power banks, check medications for expiration dates, and review your inventory.
You should also look at storage instructions for each item in your kit to ensure they’re compatible with your environment. For example, our Emergency Rescue Oxygen Instrument should not be exposed to temperatures above 120℉.
Once you’ve assembled your kit, make sure it’s easily accessible when you need it. Within reach of the driver’s seat is ideal, but you can also keep it in your trunk – just don’t bury it under other items.
Be Prepared With CPR Your Life
What you include in your emergency car kit can determine whether a roadside problem is a manageable inconvenience or a life-threatening situation. Unfortunately, these events aren’t limited to mechanical failures. They can also include cardiac and respiratory emergencies that a basic first aid kit won’t fix.
CPR Your Life designed the Emergency Rescue Oxygen Instrument to be used along with traditional CPR efforts when medical events occur. Shop our selection today to help ensure your kit can handle the unexpected.
