The following items are merely suggestions to consider. You must critically evaluate your own needs and environment to determine what items are essential and which are irrelevant to your unique situation.
The 3 Hour Vehicle Kit has an important role in your everyday preparedness posture. This bag/kit is meant to stay permanently in your vehicle and provide you with basic means to manage times (about 3 hours) during vehicle break downs, roadway closures, or abandoning your vehicle during overwhelming situations. If you believe your situation requires an increase in preparedness your vehicle should also contain your evac bag, bugout bag, main medical kit, etc.
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Your storage container is totally dependent on how much space is available in your vehicle. I always recommend a nice boring non-descript backpack or a duffle bag with a shoulder strap. I use an old backpack for my kit. It allows for both my hands to be free and has on more than one occasion been emptied and used to foraging during a hike. Figure out what you want in your kit first and then revisit what you size bag you need.
Mid-Size Flashlight – Zoomable and uses four AA battery (10 hours on low). I keep one in the center console of my vehicle. I prefer the AA flashlights here because batteries can be easily replaced in any gas station or convenience store.
Keychain or “Button” size Flashlight One is on my car keys and one on the outside clipped to my vehicle bag. Great for kids to have their own too. Batteries last about 10-12 hours of continual use, batteries (CR2016) are replaceable but a little expensive. Cheaper to buy a new light at just over a dollar a piece.
One to two bottles of water per person depending on climate conditions. For kits and bags I always splurge with more expensive brands like Dasani, Aquafina, Evian, etc. The reason…thicker plastic bottles hold up better to abuse without breaking or leaking. I also usually have at least a couple cheap regular water bottles in the doors of my truck for normal use for family and dogs.
I carry one SOS “brick” as I affectionately call them in my vehicles but specifically in my bag I have four of the SOS energy bars . They are made by the same SOS company the bars are just a lot smaller and lighter weight. If I was abandoning my vehicle because the world just got crazy I would grab the SOS brick and throw it in my backpack as well.
Before we start discussing defense options, keep in mind this bag stays in your vehicle 24/7 and can be stolen. Keeping your ol faithful Glock 17 with a couple hundred rounds behind your back seat may not be a smart choice in your locale.
Carabiner. Wait, What? Yes, a good old climbing carabiner. They are never thought of as a weapon but find one just the right size and shape to work like a pair of brass knuckles and you’re in business. Nobody would ever suspect a carabiner clipped to a backpack is a weapon, but it certainly is when you grip it tight and land a punch across a jaw or hammer down on a skull. Depending on your knuckle width you are going to need somewhere between a 3 to 4 inch carabiner. Go to your local sporting good store and just start trying them out. The one that gives you that sneaky smile of happiness when your hand fits just right, get that one!
Pepper Spray. Always a solid choice but know your local laws too. Lightweight and gives you a momentary advantage over most all attackers. Get one with a locking firing mechanism and know how to use it. Here is my favorite with a training water cartridge you can practice with too. https://amzn.to/3AalVf8
Inexpensive Pocket Knife – An inexpensive pocket knife is always a solid choice for me. Handy for a thousand reasons besides a defensive tool. I recommend a pocket clip style pocketknife as a minimum for every bag. I use this Smith & Wesson knife for this purpose. It is a decent size, has a strong spring clip, and its cheap so I can put one with all my bags and I’m not going to fuss if I lose it.
Firearms. This big decision is totally up to you. I personally don’t keep a truck gun for everyday readiness but I know many who do. I always conceal carry so I’m never without a lethal defensive tool. However, if the environment were to degrade such as civil unrest, impending natural disaster, etc. Then yes, I would absolutely increase my defensive posture and I already have those firearms ready to go.
EDC Items. What items do you Every Day Carry? Do you conceal carry? I have a Benchmade Mini Griptilian style knife hanging from my pocket. When I’m wearing long pants I carry an ankle medical kit with a SOFTT-W tourniquet. My keys have a button light and carabiner. What do you have on you that you can always count on.
I inventory my kits twice a year in the spring and the fall. Why? Because I need to swap out clothing in my kits for me and my family. A winter coat will not serve you well in August, neither will a pair of shorts in February.
Hat. I keep a non-descript dark colored baseball hat clipped to the outside of my bag. Why the outside? Because I often have to use it when I forget a hat and realize I left the house without one.
Shoes & Socks. If your normal every day wear is flip flops or business formal. You may want to consider your old pair of athletic shoes or hiking shoes with a pair of appropriate comfortable socks. One of the reasons for this kit is having the ability to abandon your vehicle and travel by foot. That’s not going to be easy in oxfords or heels.
A light jacket or sweatshirt is always a great option. Temperatures can drop dramatically at night if you have ever spent a night in your vehicle you already know they offer no real protection from the cold.
Winter months I will add gloves, winter beanie, and a set of thermal underwear tops and bottoms. Consider heavy socks, heavy jacket, gortex pants or jackets are often used here too. It’s all about knowing your environment. A Montana winter is much different than the pan handle of Florida.
Rain – A disposable poncho for each family member is all I keep in this kit.
I don’t keep any real first aid in this bag. I have my vehicle medical bag already in the truck. If I need to abandon my vehicle I will pilfer the med kit and take what I feel I need for the situation.
Fire. I keep a regular BIC lighter in my glove box that would come with me should I need to leave.
Whistle. An emergency 120db whistle is a smart addition to your vehicle kit. It weighs nothing but can be a life saver. Not a toy! Don’t give it to your kids in the backseat while you’re driving…120db when you’re not expecting it will literally make you say words that would make a sailor blush.
Hand warmers/ Body warmers – Air activated warmers are amazing in a cold environment and will last you through the night.
Space blanket. The mylar thermal blanket has become a staple in almost every kit. When it gets cold just turn yourself into a baked potato and keep the body heat in. These are by their nature pretty fragile so you need to take when using them. They are also pretty noisy and never fold up as small as they originally came. For a couple bucks a piece they are certainly worth it to have one per person.
- Medications
- Toilet paper or wet wipes.
- Clif bar or protein bar
- Swiss army knife or Leatherman style multi tool.
