While the AAA in the U.S. and the CAA in Canada recommend placing a survival kit in your vehicle just in case of getting caught in an emergency or severe weather conditions, many people fail to do so. We suggest that your survival kit be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced regularly. Vehicle emergency supply kits should include:

• A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench, and tripod jack
• 12-volt compressor
• Battery Jumper cables
• Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
• A Compass
• First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, non-latex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers, and instant cold compress
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits, hard candy, and energy or granola type bars
• Drinking water
• Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
• Cell phone
• Car charger for your cell phone (many new flashlights can be recharged with a cell phone recharger so it would be wise to ensure that your cord has the right adapters).
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Rain poncho
• Blanket
• Lighter or flint rod and striker
• Water purification tablets
• Used peanut butter jar to keep many of the above items in (and dry) and to be an emergency cup or scoop/bailer.

A candle and matches in a used prescription bottle or other watertight container are a good addition to your emergency kit. Depending on the time of year, it may be hard to find dry fuel for a fire, so keeping some newspaper at the bottom of the kit is a good idea as well. Of course, some of the items listed above are not necessary for the hiker.

Depending on where you are, most areas in the U.S.A. and Canada today, have cell service. In those areas that don’t have cell service currently, service is being expanded on a daily basis. Having a working cell phone and cell service is a game-changer when being lost. That’s why you should have the Here I Am App on your cell phone. With the Here I Am App on your phone, you can send an emergency message to up to three friends or family members at the push of a button. But what if your current situation isn’t exactly an emergency? One of the nice things about the Here I Am App is the ability to change your emergency message easily. Of course, if you have cell service, you wouldn’t need to make more than just a phone call. But one of the great things about the Here I Am App, is you can easily determine your exact GPS position through the Message Preferences of the app’s settings function.  Having your exact GPS location will allow you to advise your family, friends, or rescue services exactly where you are even if you’re not exactly in a critical emergency situation at the time.

As with all emergencies, timing is critical, whether nightfall is near or a storm is on the horizon, with the Here I Am App on your phone, help is just a click away. To discover more about the Here I Am app, visit: www.hereiamapp.com

Here I Am App is available for purchase on Google Play and the Apple App Store for USD$1.99.

Paul Taalman

Paul Taalman is the creator of the Here I Am app.