First Aid
Antiseptic creams and antibiotic creams are necessary to stave off infection and treat wounds. Include an assortment of bandages to treat different wound sizes. Latex gloves and gauze will safeguard the person bandaging a wound from coming into contact with blood and other fluids.
Signal Mirrors
Signal mirrors are a must have for any road trip, especially off-road excursions. Use the mirror to send a light signal to passing motorists and planes. Aim the mirror at the sun and readjust its placement as the sun moves across the skyline. You can only use a signaling mirror during the day.
Navigation
Include a compass or GPS device. Navigational gear with mapping features provides maps of your exact geographical location including markings of rivers, mountains and highways.
Emergency Blanket
Solar blankets, or emergency blankets, prevent your body from losing heat. Solar blankets reflect approximately 90 percent of your body heat back to you, so additional clothing and winter clothing is not necessary. Because most solar blankets will not crack, mildew or shrink, they are easy to maintain and are available in most survival kits. You can purchase individual blankets for each person in your group. Solar blankets are suitable for all types of weather conditions including freezing temperatures.
Water and Food
Non-perishable food items such as granola bars, trail mix, multi-grain crackers, nuts, protein bars, energy bars provide protein and can be transported easily should you have to walk to a new location for assistance. Pack enough food and bottled water to last every member of your group at least seven days.
Miscellaneous
Include a short-handled shovel to dig your car wheels out of a muddy area or to loosen packed snow. A flashlight with extra batteries will provide light in low visibility. Include a fire starter kit, which is designed to make fire building easy in all conditions and all types of weather.
