A breakdown after dark, a flat tyre in the rain or several hours spent waiting for roadside assistance can quickly become more than a minor inconvenience. You do not need a boot packed with equipment to be prepared. A few carefully selected items with a clear purpose are enough, provided they are stored where you can find them even under stress.
This is the idea behind car EDC – an everyday emergency kit kept in your vehicle. It is not about preparing for the end of the world. It is about having light, basic tools, weather protection and useful equipment that can help you wait safely for assistance.
The basis of every car emergency kit is the equipment required by law. According to the Czech Police, this includes a vehicle first aid kit, warning triangle, reflective vest and, depending on the type of vehicle, a spare wheel or tyre repair kit.
Car EDC does not replace this mandatory equipment. It adds practical items that make common roadside problems easier to manage, including working in the dark, carrying out a minor repair, treating a small injury or waiting outside in cold and wet weather.
Using the flashlight on your phone is better than having no light at all. However, when changing a wheel, checking under the bonnet or treating an injury, you usually need both hands free.
A practical option for the car is the Fenix HM23 V2.0 headlamp. It provides both white and red light, features a magnetic tail cap and runs on a standard AA battery. This means you do not have to rely on a charged power bank or a special charging cable.
Remove the battery if the headlamp will remain unused for a long time and store it separately. This reduces the risk of leakage and makes it easier to check whether the battery needs replacing.
A multitool will not repair a gearbox and cannot replace the correct tools for changing a wheel. It can, however, tighten a loose screw, cut wire or a cable tie, hold a small component or help with a temporary repair.
The Leatherman REV multitool includes pliers, wire cutters, several screwdrivers, a file, a knife and other useful tools. It weighs approximately 168 grams, so it takes up very little space in an emergency kit.
Only attempt repairs that you can carry out safely. When standing beside a busy road, moving yourself and your passengers away from danger is more important than trying to repair the vehicle at any cost.
When handling a wheel, jack, towing rope or hot parts of the engine compartment, gloves protect your hands from dirt, abrasions and minor cuts. Choose a pair that still allows you to feel and control smaller objects.
The Pyramex VG Adjustable Operator tactical gloves feature a synthetic leather palm for a more secure grip and are compatible with touchscreen devices. This is useful when you need to make a call or check instructions while working.
Store the gloves together with your tools instead of leaving them underneath luggage at the bottom of the boot.
Keep the legally required vehicle first aid kit complete and check its contents regularly. A smaller and easily accessible travel first aid kit can also be useful for dealing with common minor injuries.
The MIL-TEC IFAK Laser-Cut 20-piece first aid kit contains plasters, sterile dressings, bandage scissors, gloves and a thermal emergency blanket. Its extended zipper pull also makes the pouch easier to open while wearing gloves.
This kit is an additional source of first aid supplies, not a replacement for the vehicle first aid kit required by law. Keep it clearly marked and easy to reach. A first aid kit buried underneath a fully loaded boot is of little use in an emergency.
A breakdown can happen in any weather. If you have to spend several minutes outside in rain and wind, wet clothing can become uncomfortable surprisingly quickly.
The Helikon LIGHTWEIGHT waterproof poncho is compact, resistant to tearing and supplied with a transport pouch. It is useful when checking the vehicle, moving to a safer location or waiting for assistance.
The poncho protects against rain and wind. For additional warmth, you can combine it with the thermal emergency blanket included in the MIL-TEC IFAK mentioned above.
A chemical lightstick does not require batteries, works in the rain and can provide light for several hours. It can mark an open boot, identify the location of your equipment or help passengers stay together in the dark.
One suitable addition to an emergency kit is the yellow MIL-TEC lightstick.
A lightstick is not an approved roadside warning device. It does not replace the vehicle’s hazard warning lights, a reflective vest or a warning triangle.
Emergency equipment only works when you know where it is. Loose items can move around during sudden braking and become difficult to find when you need them.
The Tasmanian Tiger MESH POCKET organiser set allows you to divide the equipment into three practical groups:
lighting, spare batteries and signalling equipment,
gloves and tools,
weather protection and personal essentials.
Keep medical supplies in a separate, clearly marked pouch. Secure the complete kit inside the boot so that it cannot move freely while driving.
Waiting for roadside assistance or for a blocked road to reopen can sometimes take several hours. A basic supply of food and water is especially useful on longer journeys, when travelling with children or when driving in areas where help may not be immediately available.
The PRO-RATION MRE Emergency Food / Water Pack – Menu 1 contains two main meals, two energy bars, two packs of water and everything required for heating and eating. The main meals have a shelf life of up to 15 years and the packaged water up to 50 years, making it a more practical emergency supply than an ordinary snack forgotten in the boot.
Emergency food still requires occasional attention. When checking the rest of your car kit, inspect the packaging, verify the expiry dates and follow the storage conditions provided by the manufacturer.
Not everything should be stored in the boot. It makes sense to keep the following items within easy reach of the driver:
a reflective vest,
a headlamp or another independent light source,
a phone charging cable,
contact details for your roadside assistance provider,
a vehicle escape tool if you use one.
The rest of the equipment can be stored in a clearly marked bag or organiser in the luggage compartment.
Inspect your equipment before winter and before the main summer travel season. Test the headlamp, examine the batteries, check the condition of the medical supplies and consider whether the contents still match where and with whom you usually travel.
Someone who mainly drives around a city needs a different kit from a driver regularly travelling into the mountains in winter. The best car emergency kit is not the largest one. It is the one you know how to use and can reach when you need it.
headlamp and spare batteries,
multitool,
durable gloves,
additional first aid kit,
thermal emergency blanket,
waterproof poncho,
emergency food and water
chemical lightstick,
practical organiser.
Build your own car emergency kit with equipment from ANAREUS
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