Planning a road trip? Don't hit the road without these essential survival items. Read this article to learn what to pack in your safe travel kit.
Essential Items for Your Safe Travel Kit
One of my friends is leaving for Michigan today and asked me to help him make up a small “just in case” pack to take with him on the trip. It just so happened that one of my bug out bags was due for inspection, so I had a few spare parts to build a kit for him.
This is a small but effective kit that I built out of extra items that I had lying around, but you can easily make your own for an affordable cost.
Travel Kit Contents
Insulated lunchbox.
The insulation is normally used to keep your lunch cold, but for an emergency kit, can be used to the opposite effect. The insulation will actually keep your supplies from freezing solid.
Two 2400-calorie ration bars. These mayday ration bars taste a bit like apple pie and don’t induce thirst. They actually taste fantastic with a bit of milk. But beware: they sit like a lead pellet in your stomach.
Two liters of water. These mayday water rations come in individual 4.25 oz Mylar pouches. I prefer the Mylar pouches over the juice box-style containers. They take up less space, weigh less, are more durable, and will not be damaged if the water freezes. The ones that I have come with a Ziplock pouch with a pour spout. I don’t like the idea of pouring out every pouch into the container, but it would work well to put snow in and wait for it to melt. (If you don't have these food and water supplies lying around, you can get a head start by clicking here.)
Pocket first aid kit. There's not much in it, but it never hurts to have some Band Aids and alcohol swabs on hand.
Two space blankets. These emergency blankets work, but they make a ton of noise and tear easily. I suggest adding a few normal blankets for comfort.
Bic lighter. Sure you could try to start a fire with a couple of stick, but If you can do it with the single flick of a Bic, why the hell would you want to do it any other way?
Box of weatherproof matches. Redundancy is key when it comes to fire starting.
Survival whistle. If you're caught in a snowstorm, you need to do everything possible to make sure others can see or hear you. The whistle might not be the most effective means of doing so, but it can’t hurt. (It also has a flint on the side to help with fire starting.)
Snack kit. This part of the kit is completely up to your choosing, but I like to have a few sticks of beef jerky, some bouillon cubes and tea bags or instant coffee – basically anything that will help improve the mood of an increasingly aggravating situation.
Portable solid fuel camp stove with fuel tablets. If you’re out in the cold, a nice warm cup of soup or tea can really improve your morale – and who wants to drink a mug of cold chicken-flavored soup?
Stainless steel mug. You can use one of these over the stove without harming the mug.
If you don't feel like making your own, check this one out:
AAA 65-Piece Winter Severe Weather Travel Kit
For awesome survival gear you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!
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