One could probably fill a bookshelf with the amount of information written on bugout bags and everyday carry (EDC) items, and that’s just the content published in the last year. Yet what about EDV or everyday vehicle items? These are standalone items that help you to be more prepared that may or may not fit the role of bugout bag / EDC worthy…that is unless you fancy carrying a fire extinguisher in your cargo pocket.
The Rationale
I have an EDC methodology which I like to stick to and while it may vary slightly depending on conditions the core items usually remain the same. My bugout / survival bag is also loaded with gear and also stays with me, usually I keep it in the trunk of my car as I’m no longer a believer in having a bugout and get home bag (why not just one bag). Additionally I also carry a work bag with some backup items in it, spare flashlight / lighter / knife and other odds and ends. Yet there are some items which are too large for my person which I might want quick access to, others that I use often enough that I don’t want to have to dig through a bugout bag for (nor do I want to have to continue to repack / replace them). Enter the EDV kit.
My EDV
This is strictly a personal preference thing and it’s also based on how your vehicle is set up. If you drive an enormous pickup truck you might go about configuring your items differently than seen here but the concepts remain the same.
Driver’s Door
In the driver’s door you’ll find a Surefire flashlight with red lens cover and some surgical gloves, you never know when you might stumble upon a scene and have to put them on.
Passenger Door
Nothing crazy on the passenger’s side, couple of chem lights in case I need to mark the roadway (primary use).
Trunk left side
The fire extinguisher is there for obvious reasons but I recently added the hat and cheap-o ear protection. I never thought to have a hat with me at all times but imagine if you had to do something as common as walk 5 miles in the sun after breaking down? Having something to cover one’s head could be a serious lifesaver. The ear protection…well if things got bad enough and I had the time to don them they would certainly keep my ear drums from blowing out.
Trunk Right Side
This is the MONEY side, or the where I keep the items I use more frequently than others. I just refilled that 6 pack of water and it’s the 3rd one I’ve gone through in a few months, I’m always finding reason to snag an extra water or two. Obviously I also have some water in my bugout bag but once again don’t want to dig through it all the time. The medical kit is custom in that I used a cheap but recognizable box and filled it with quality components that I felt were necessary. Again there is a more robust kit and even trauma items in my bag(s) but this one is readily available and could be accessed by someone else should I go down. Finally the TP, that has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion! I drive quite a bit for work and let me tell you when nature calls and the nearest exit with a bathroom is 20 miles away there is almost no other choice than to find a pull-off with an acceptable amount of concealment. Gotta do what you gotta do and yes, I keep a large bottle of hand sanitizer in the glove box as a stop gap method until a proper bathroom is reached for washing hands.
Final Thoughts
Redundancy is never a bad thing as long as it’s done with common sense in mind. When considering EDV specifically I like to have items which I can quickly access, items which I might already have in other locations in the car but just in bags. Pop the trunk or reach in the side compartment, there the item is ready to go. I realize this could quickly get out of hand so I try to minimize my EDV load, next thing you know I’ll have a spare chainsaw, 150′ rappelling rope and towbar in the trunk…”just in case.” What’s in your EDV kit?
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Started doing basically the same thing with all 3 of our vehicles. Just increased with each vehicle. In the wife’s compact, stuff is located in each and every nook in the interior and in the trunk I am replacing the cardboard box with a bin-Holds more.
In my Tundra, got equipment stashed everywhere and in the back I picked up a bed cover which makes a good sized area, I have a couple of large containers. The smallest is a surplus 40mm ammo box and keeps items for the truck whereas the other is a large bug out box. Probably could live out of it for a couple of weeks.
If you have space, use it efficiently and wisely.
I have to laugh a little on the thoughts of what is in my truck (AKA EDV), remember the bookshelf? I could fill another book with the list, dang good thing it’s a 3/4 ton Duromax HAHAHA With an extra 40 gallon fuel tank installed.
Everything from Water/MREs to a tent and sleeping bag, road flares, flash lights (note the “s”) extra clothing and boots to TP and meds, Air-pump, extra oil, topo-maps, ammo (enough to conquer France), bailing wire/Duct Tape, the list seems endless, And those are not including my GHB set up for 3-4 days.
I believe it smart to have enough “in” the vehicle to survive at least a week or three.
Just my humble opinion.
NRP
PS; don’t forget to add some “cash” and some dog food, my Lab goes with me “everywhere”.
After reading NRP’s response, I completely forgot that I had to add the camper shell because I was tired of a 2 year old GS is my shadow. She needed more room than the back seat of my quad Tundra provided. Plus it gave the room to store more gear. If one has a truck it just makes sense to add a camper. Had to buy a utility trailer to haul stuff/debris because of the shell but it makes a good little bug out utensil for us to get out to our land if necessary.
NRP got me thinking that I ought to do an inventory just to see if I missed anything important.
Don’t forget the Snicker’s bars, nothing better when fighting Zombies trying to get home than a couple of good old (at least 3 year old) Snicker’s Bars. 🙂
NRP
Nice ideas. I keep a small knife/multitool and a lighter in my car as well. Always a good idea to prep just a little. Every little bit could go a long way in serious situations. Great post and keep them coming.