What Do You Keep in Your Car for Emergencies?

I have my first aid kit that I take hiking (it has gloves, bandages, aspirin, etc), a CPR mask, and a thick mat/blanket. In the winter I always make sure I have extra gloves, hats, and a scarf.

I agree that I'm not properly trained to provide extensive care in trauma situations and I will leave that for the first responders, but I would do all that I could.

Read the many media reports of good Samaritans who have been killed trying to help crash victims, in many cases the best thing to do is stay in your car and call 911.

I have a cell phone which I can use to call for emergency care. In a well-populated area, EMS can get here quickly.

Gloves, a bottle with aspirin 325 mg pills (renewed yearly), Exedrin (same), 1 pack of chewable glucose pills, Chlorox desinfection wipes.

My own kit: 2 AdrenalClicks, 2 standard epinephrine amps, syringes, needles, tourniquet, alcohol swabs, sublingual Benadryl, Solu-medrol, ProAir. Can be used for someone else in case of anaphylaxis.

Non-medical: heating blanket which can be used in car, 2 power cells 5000 amps each, water, meat jerky, energy bars, paper towels, warm gloves, hygiene kit, flashlight with spare batteries.

Not that I always jump out of the car, but I had to use things a few times - mostly in bad traffic jams or if seeing a car with kids in a ditch among endless fields after a big snowstorm.

The things I would keep in my car for "roadside" emergencies would likely be a bit different from the typical stuff you would find in a commercial first aid kit. The primary reason for this is that I'm also a Paramedic. What's NOT going to be in there is probably more important than what is. In general, I won't have advanced airway equipment (though I could). I won't have any IV stuff. It's generally better to keep a trauma patient "dry" than to flood them with fluid, concentrating on stopping leaks is more important. Bandaging materials, an adjustable c-collar or two, a BVM, various kinds of tape, a SAM splint or two, and a couple triangular bandages is often what's in my kit.

I have an even greater need to communicate so I also usually have my cell phone and my handheld HAM radio with me too. Soon I'll also have my HF mobile radio in the car. Using these things (of which I'm properly licensed as necessary), I can pretty much reach out and get in touch with nearly anyone I need to, even in places where there is no cell phone service.

My 38 revolver & .380 semiautomatic

gloves, stethoscope., bpcuff

gauze pads...if I lived in blizzard areas blanket.....

I have my first aid kit that I take hiking (it has gloves, bandages, aspirin, etc), a CPR mask, and a thick mat/blanket. In the winter I always make sure I have extra gloves, hats, and a scarf.

I agree that I'm not properly trained to provide extensive care in trauma situations and I will leave that for the first responders, but I would do all that I could.

Aspirin! Good thought. I will include that. Good point about the spare winter clothing too!

My 38 revolver & .380 semiautomatic

gloves, stethoscope., bpcuff

gauze pads...if I lived in blizzard areas blanket.....

Yes, I have been wondering about assessment tools. Where do you store the weapons?

The things I would keep in my car for "roadside" emergencies would likely be a bit different from the typical stuff you would find in a commercial first aid kit. The primary reason for this is that I'm also a Paramedic. What's NOT going to be in there is probably more important than what is. In general, I won't have advanced airway equipment (though I could). I won't have any IV stuff. It's generally better to keep a trauma patient "dry" than to flood them with fluid, concentrating on stopping leaks is more important. Bandaging materials, an adjustable c-collar or two, a BVM, various kinds of tape, a SAM splint or two, and a couple triangular bandages is often what's in my kit.

I have an even greater need to communicate so I also usually have my cell phone and my handheld HAM radio with me too. Soon I'll also have my HF mobile radio in the car. Using these things (of which I'm properly licensed as necessary), I can pretty much reach out and get in touch with nearly anyone I need to, even in places where there is no cell phone service.

Thank you! This is great and it speaks to stocking supplies according to your level of training and licensing. What is your opinion on some of the new "Stop the Bleed Kits" that are on the market?

My first concern about the ASA was ALLERGY and how to swallow it.

Am also concerned about liquids in cold, below freezing weather. I had stuff explode on me once, and then I learned my lesson (careful also in car's super hot summer weather - had a can of soda blow up).

Flashlights with extra batteries just in case there's a prolonged need. And the flashlight should be one that provides a good light periphery.

Some extra snow removal equip, incl kitty litter for traction.

Just a reminder - if you use your blankets for rescue victims, they'll prob go with them. So just think about it.