Prepare to Be Prepared

Putting together emergency car kits and a first aid kit doesn't have to be difficult or overly expensive. Here I will review what I decided to include in ours. One thing to remember is that while you don't want to need any of these things, you can't think that stuff only happens to other people. And you should also keep in mind that there's no sense including things you don't know how or are unwilling to use. It might pay to spend some time reviewing a basic first aid book and a basic survival guide. And it may not always be yourself that benefits. I have, more than once in my life, been the first person on the scene of an accident. It should feel good to know that you could have something to help someone else in their time of need.

Some things in our kits are just a portion of a bigger package that I split up, some items come from the camping section of the local department store. Figure out what will work for you and give yourself some peace of mind.


Emergency Car Kits
Energy Bars
Candy
Water bottle
Hand and body warmers
Toe warmers
Emergency poncho
Emergency blanket
Empty tin can
Blanket
Strike anywhere matches
Fire starter
Whistle
Lightstick
Flares
Led flashlight with batteries
LED headlamp with batteris
Emergency Candles
Empty tin can
Car phone charger
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Toilet paper
Small garbage bag
Hand sanitizer
Baby wipes
First aid kit
Safety pins
Comb
Linen hanky
Tissues
Zip-Top Bag
Backpack, small
Pocket Knife
Duct tape
Leather gloves
Folding shovel
Jumper cables
Rope or cord
Sewing kit
Notepad and mechanical pencil


First Aid Kit (This is a kit geared toward illness as well as injury)
Cold medicine
Flu medicine
Emergen-C
Cough drops
Ibuprofen
Excedrin Migraine
Tylenol PM
Antacids
Anti nausea
Anti diarrheal
Antiseptic wash
Hydrogen peroxide
Isopropyl alcohol spray
Alcohol wipes
Burn care
Honey
Hydrocortizone cream
Triple antibiotic
Eye wash
Smelling salts
Snake bit kit
Sting-ease
Colloidal silver
Hand sanitizer
Baby wipes
Moleskin
Liquid bandage
Assorted bandaids
Butterfly closures
Sterile pads
Gauze roll
Tape
Finger cots
Cotton swabs
Silk thread
Latex gloves
Thermometer
Ace bandages - large and small
Triangular Bandage
Eye patch
Scissors
Hemostat
Tweezers
Clippers
Needles for suturing
Syringe
Paper and pencil

Our first aid kit is pretty complete and both my husband and I have had beyond the basics first aid/first responder training. Your kit may be simpler and much smaller. It's still empowering to know you are as ready as you can be.

And sometimes the most important skill is the power of observation and information gathering. I once witnessed a rollover car accident and, with my friends, was among the first on the scene. This was on a major interstate and the accident was immediately called in for help. The most important tools we had? Watches, pens and paper. One young man had been thrown from the vehicle and I was able to take his pulse and note that, along with his respirations, then I began to question him and I could tell he would not be conscious for long. I was able to get his name, age and the important fact that his parents had been in a truck hauling a boat somewhere ahead of them in heavy holiday weekend traffic. I was not in a position to provide medical care, but I was in a position to gather potentially important information for the paramedics that soon arrived to find an unconscious young man and my notes.

Why not be ready to make a difference for yourself and others?