Be prepared: What to always have in your car

Responsible vehicle operators are people that are prepared for, and can handle basic roadside emergencies. The key to successful response is preparedness and this article attempts to codify the basics for you, the responsible driver…

When a person goes on a day hike what do they bring? They bring some supplies to help them deal with a possible emergency. Why do people not keep similar items in their car? People often forget that when they get into their cars they are going on a trip. Perhaps it is only to the grocery store but the principle is the same.

There is no possible way to ever come up with a comprehensive list of all the things that can go wrong, and no possible way to be ready for every situation but it is reasonable to prepare for the inevitable and expected situations that all drivers will face at one time or another. I am referring to things like accidents, blown tires, getting lost, getting stranded (which is way worse than getting lost) and the like. Motoring often takes a person away from their accustomed haunts, away from the things they know and the places they know that they can get help from. How many of us eventually find ourselves on some disserted highway in winter, or on some dirt road with a flat? Eventually this will happen to all most people, it certainly has happened to me. I can say proudly that so far I have overcome successfully all of my vehicles little trials and tribulations. Yes it is not fun changing a tire in a snow storm, but it is very possible and necessary, especially if you are stuck without cell reception in the middle of nowhere.

Here is my attempt at a basic list, obviously it is not exhaustive and I am sure I have forgotten lots of little things, but at least I have you thinking about it too.

- First aid kit and the basic skills to use it. (This is a legal requirement in many countries!)

- Spare tire

- Jack capable of lifting your vehicle

- Tire iron. (+ Optional gloves)

- Flashlight (with batteries)

- Jumper cables

- Flares or warning triangle

For Boy Scouts and the truly prepared

- Snack food/bottle of water

- Blanket/jacket

- Spare fuses

- Basic tools

- Candle and lighter/matches

Supplemental General advice:

Try and keep the weight down but make sure you have all you need. Pack especially well for winter! In winter I take tire chains and an extension cord for my block heater.

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