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How to Build Your RV Emergency Kit
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link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/first-aid-and-surival-kits-5125690/
By Will Cotter
Be ready for whatever, whenever. Check out this comprehensive guide on how to build your RV emergency kit
Anything can happen when you’re traveling,
especially on the road and camping in off-the-grid locations in your RV. You
must be prepared for every emergency, from losing access to food and water to
sustaining minor injuries while exploring or doing the most menial tasks. If
you still don’t have one, here’s a comprehensive checklist on how to build your RV Emergency Kit.
Emergency Drinking Water
A backup supply of clean, drinking water will
come in handy if you’re hiking up the mountains or sheltering in place because
of a storm and other inclement weather conditions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has the following tips for creating and storing emergency
drinking water.
- Buy commercially bottled water and store at least 1
gallon per person per 3 days for drinking and sanitation.
- Invest in a life straw, which you can use to filter
water from lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water.
- Prepare more water if you are headed somewhere with a
hot climate or traveling with pregnant women and persons with special
medical conditions.
- Observe the expiration date of store-bought bottled
water. Use expired ones for washing instead.
- If you’re packing water using your own water pouch or
container, discard it every six months.
- Chlorine or water purification tablets, such as
Aquatabs, are also recommended for killing bacteria and microorganisms in
bodies of water.
Three-Day Food Supply
Have an emergency stash of food supplies
separate from what you plan to consume during your stay in the RV. Store food
items with longer shelf life and in single-serving packaging to avoid spoilage.
In addition, make sure you account for supplies that can accommodate everyone
in your RV. Go for food items that you would typically
eat.
Here are some examples.
- Crackers, dry bread sticks, melba toast, cookies
- Ready-to-eat cereals
- Granola and energy bars
- Sundried tomatoes
- Fruit leather roll-ups
- Turkey or beef jerky
- Canned goods (for example, canned fruits, canned tuna,
canned soup, canned chili, canned luncheon meat, canned beans)
- MREs are also an excellent choice.
In addition, if you’re RVing with a pet, make sure you've also
packed sufficient emergency pet food and water for them.
Create an emergency food supply that will last them for
several days stored in airtight containers
- Include collapsible food and water bowls
- Replace and replenish your stocks every six months.
Foil Survival Blankets
You’ll never know what will happen when you’re
on the road. But one of the worse things is probably being stuck somewhere cold
and damp with soaking wet clothes. Foil blankets, also known as space blankets
or Mylar blankets, can protect you from potential hypothermia in these
conditions. Get high-quality ones that are durable and reusable for each person
in your RV.
Flares and Safety Whistles
Whether to ward off intruders or wild animals,
like bears, or call out for help in critical situations, flare guns and safety
whistles are absolute must-haves in your RV emergency kit. Go for high-powered
signaling devices that can be heard or seen from a great distance.
Safety Vests
Invest In a safety vest for each member of
your family. Its reflective color will make you visible, protect you at night
from getting hit by cars in case of a roadside emergency, and make it easier
for rescuers to spot you during disastrous situations.
Excellent Weather Emergency Radio
The storm and weather apps on your mobile
phone may not be available in times of major calamities. Always have
battery-operated weather emergency radio and extra batteries in your RV, so
you’re always prepared no matter what.
Good Sam Travel Assist: Emergency coverage for you, your family, and pets. Plans Starting at $59.99 Shop Now!
First Aid Triage Medical Supplies
Lastly, your RV emergency kit should have first aid
medical supplies covering minor sprains, burns, cuts, or allergy attacks. It
would help if you had everything needed to cleanse and dress wounds and
minimize the pain until help arrives.
These
include:
- Antiseptic wound cleanser and wipes
- Sterile non-stick gauze pads and rolls of different
sizes
- Hypoallergenic surgical adhesive tape
- Alcohol swabs
- Cotton balls or cotton swabs
- Antibiotic cream/ointment
- Calamine lotion and aloe vera gel for sunburn and insect
bites
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Liquid saline solution
- Ice packs
- Surgical gloves
- Splint(s)
- Thermometer
- Oximeter
- Surgical masks
- Surgical hand gloves
- Antacids
- OTC medicines, like paracetamol, anti-diarrhea
medication, cough, and cold meds
- OTC anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication like
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- OTC allergy drugs
- Oral rehydration salts
- Aspirin, which according to Mayo Clinic,
can be
life-saving for unexplainably severe chest pains that could be a heart
attack
If you have an existing medical condition,
it’s best to stock up on a three-day supply of your prescription drugs for
emergencies.
Other Essential Emergency Tools
When living or traveling in an RV, you should be
prepped for unexpected situations, like roadside breakdowns and repair
emergencies. While you don't need loads of tools, it's still good to know you
have all sides covered. Here are some of the basic tools you can start with.
- Screwdriver
- Allen wrench
- Tape measure
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Collapsible shovel
- Flashlights and headlamps
- Hammer
- Screws and nails in assorted sizes
- Portable hand drill
- Road reflector
- Wheel chocks
- Ice brush or snow scraper
- Butyl sealing tape for leaky windows
- Heavy-duty plastic tarps
Hopefully, this checklist has guided you on how to build your RV Emergency kit.
About The Author
Will Cotter is a certified wanderlust. He
works remotely and runs his professional cleaning company, HappyCleans. Will loves all things
travel and adventure and plans to go on an epic and scenic campervan journey
soon.
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