Emergency Road Trip Essentials To Pack
It is the dreaded moment of any road trip. A flat tire or a vehicle gasping for its last breath. Worse yet coming upon an accident or being involved in one. What to bring on a road trip is not all about snacks and sunscreen I am sad to say. Through some tough experiences of our own thousands of miles of travel by car, our road trip essentials list begins with our emergency bag.
Topping a road trip checklist with an emergency pack may seem like pessimistic thinking to some. Ten years ago I drove around with a mini first aid kit that included a tensor, a sling, band aids and antiseptic. Hence it serviced children’s scraped knees on playgrounds beautifully.
However after coming upon our first serious motor vehicle accident I realized how terribly unprepared we were. Even the most basic gloves or blanket were not to be found in our emergency bag.
Emergency Road Trip Essentials We Travel With
First Aid Kit
CPR mask
Hand sanitizer
Masks
Gloves
Antiseptic spray or wipes
Bandages – small, medium and large
Gauze – pads and roll for larger injuries
Medical tape
Blunt nose scissors
Tweezers
Tensor
Sling
Thermal blanket
As a result our road trip essentials packing list has taken on new priorities. I would like to say since better stocking a first aid kit we have never had to use it again.
Unfortunately, on several more occasions we have come upon tragic roadside happenings. Having a career in nursing, I am often involved in the hands on care. I realize not everyone would feel comfortable doing so.
Yet what I can tell you is that while working on scene until emergency services arrive I have been immensely grateful to those who have arrived with fully stocked first aid kits.
Willing to pull out blankets, give extra gloves, open gauze pads, provide scissors these helpers are angels to those of us assessing and stabilizing.
To those special few who arrive with CPR masks (I now carry multiples) may a thousand good things come your way for being prepared to protect the safety and health of rescuers.
Most of all, I am thankful that in almost all of my encounters with roadside accidents I have not been driving alone. One of the most dangerous aspects of stopping to help is the traffic flowing beside the scene. With adrenaline running and distracted by tragic events unfolding extreme caution is required.
If pulling over to assist only do so in a safe location.
NEVER get out of the car until you have assessed for danger from hazards including traffic.
Emergency Roadside Kit
- Booster cables
- Reflective roadside triangles
- Non perishable food
- Bottled water
- Blanket
- Whistle
- Extra clothes and shoes
- Windshield washer fluid
- Candle in a deep can and matches
- Collapsible snow shovel (winter)
- Ice scraper (winter)
- Hand warmers (winter)
Always use caution when parking at the side of the road whether it be for your emergency or to assist others. Reflective triangles add an extra measure of safety in for passing vehicles.
One autumn day, as we drove home from a day in the mountains, we saw a vehicle weave erratically over two lanes of highway. Our guess is they knew little of the tips to stay alert when driving and had fallen asleep. Sadly, although not unexpectedly, we watched the dust and debris as the vehicle rolled.
Pulling safely to the side of the road, I called 911 emergency. As I headed toward the accident scene with my emergency bag, I drew some comfort knowing I had known what to bring on a road trip.
Finally we wish you many safe journeys. Prepare and pack these road trip essentials. may your road trips be safe ones.
It is the dreaded moment of any road trip. A flat tire or a vehicle gasping for its last breath. Worse yet coming upon an accident or being involved in one. What to bring on a road trip is not all about snacks and sunscreen I am sad to say. Through some tough experiences of…
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