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Prepping for an emergency is a great way to increase your peace of mind and protect yourself and your loved ones. But in order to be prepared, you need to know how to build a bug out car kit besides other important considerations such as the first aid kit items or best foods for survival. When it comes to preparing for the future, most people think of the usual things like stockpiling dry foods, canned goods, or toiletries.
When it comes to how to build a bug out car kit many preppers don’t even consider this aspect of prepping. Essentially, a bug-out car kit is a collection of supplies that you need in case you have to leave home quickly if there’s an emergency at your very location and have to leave at a short notice. The term “bug-out car” usually refers to vehicles that can be used as secondary transportation while being able to carry essential supplies such as water, food, and other survival gear.
Why Build a Bug Out Car Kit?
There are a number of reasons why you should have a car like that. First, if the situation becomes dire or you have to leave suddenly, a survival car allows you to quickly leave your home and get to safety. Secondly, in a crisis situation, you can’t rely solely on public transportation.
While it’s possible to use a car as your primary mode of transportation, the amount of traffic and other factors make it difficult to get around. With a bug-out car, you can travel freely and reach your destination safely. For example, if you live in a flood-prone area, then you should have some supplies that can help you get to safety in the event of a flood.
What’s in a Bug Out Car Kit?
First and foremost, you should have a bug-out plan that guides your preparations. You should also have a set of instructions and a list of contacts that you can reach out to in an emergency situation. These are just some of the essentials that should be included in a bug-out car kit. There are other things you need to know when it comes to how to build a bug out car kit and this might be different depending on your own needs and preferences.
- Foods such as canned foods, dried foods, and other protein-rich foods such as dried eggs, and beef jerky.
- Water Carrying Bottles for easy drinking.
- Water Purification Kits– For drinking water that has been contaminated.
- Emergency Blankets And Sleeping Bag – For staying warm during transportation or sleeping outdoors.
- First Aid Kit – For minor injuries or sickness.
- Tools – For basic repairs and needs.
- Other Items – For example, fire starters, a radio, a flashlight, etc. Check this article from wildoaktrail.com for more prepper supplies to consider in your bug-out car kit.
Important considerations for building a bug-out car kit.
There are several important considerations you need to keep in mind when looking into how to build a bug out car kit to give you peace of mind ad protection for yourself and your family in case of a disaster.
- First, you need to make sure that your car can accommodate the supplies you are going to store.
- You should also have enough room to add extra supplies like gas cans or extra jugs of water.
- You will also need to factor in the weight of the items you are going to store. While you can get lightweight items that are good for short trips, they aren’t ideal for longer journeys.
- When you are thinking of the best items to choose from, you need to keep in mind the expected trip duration and how much you are willing to carry.
How To Build A Bug Out Car Kit
- When you are ready to build a bug-out car kit, you will need to first decide what items you need to include. Depending on your location, you should also consider what items can serve multiple purposes.
- Next, you need to find a location where you can store the items. One option is to store them in your garage or another out-of-the-way area. Alternatively, you can buy a storage container or build a shed if you have the means to do so.
- You will also need to consider the safety of the location and if it has the proper temperature and humidity for storing food. When you are ready to begin building your kit, start by collecting the items that you need.
- Make a list of everything that you want to include and decide what order they should be stored in. Ideally, the items should be organized in a way that makes them easy to access while keeping them safe at the same time.
Pros and cons of Bug Out Cars
Now that you know what you are getting into, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of owning a bug-out car kit.
Pros
- Easy To Load And Unload: Since you won’t need to rely on public transportation, you can easily load and unload your kit. This also means you don’t have to worry about finding a parking space or sitting in traffic.
- Simple and Safe Transportation: When you have a bug-out car, you don’t need to rely on public transport. This allows you to travel safely and easily without worrying about traffic, delays, and other factors that make driving difficult.
- Increased Mobility: The main issue in an emergency situation is the limited mobility of regular vehicles.
Cons
- High Maintenance Costs: Since you will need to maintain the car, it’s important that you choose one that you can afford to maintain properly. This will also factor in the possible costs of repairs and parts if your car breaks down.
- Lack Of Public Transportation: Public transportation is important in many situations. When you don’t have a car, you will have to rely on other means of transportation.
- Possible Weight Restrictions: In some locations, there are weight restrictions for vehicles. You will also have to pay tolls or extra fees if you travel on highways or other roads that have these restrictions.
Be Prepared: Tips for Survival In Case of Emergencies
Take all necessary precautions before you leave your home. This includes making sure that all family members are aware of your emergency plans and have an emergency plan of their own. Also, make sure that you have enough water and food supplies to last you for at least three days. Make sure that you are prepared to handle any possible emergencies that may arise during your bug-out scenario.
If a natural disaster prevents you from leaving your home, you will need to be prepared to deal with other dangers like looting and a lack of law enforcement. Some survival skills are good to have as well as a well-made first aid kit with everything you need for your health and for your loved ones.
Make sure that you have a comprehensive plan. This plan should include where you are planning to go and how you are going to get there.
Also, it should include what supplies you will need such as high-calorie survival foods, water, and gas. Make sure that your family members and pets are ready to leave at a moment’s notice. This includes having enough water and food rations for each person or pet.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the importance of having a bug-out car kit and what items you should include in your kit. I hope that this answered some questions about how to build a bug out car kit so that you can be more prepared and ready for any situation. We have also discussed the cons and pros of owning a bug-out car kit and the procedures for building a kit.
What other things do you think should be included in a bug-out car kit? Do you already have a bug-out car for survival situations? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section and also please check the next recommended articles.
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