Review: Sequoia Survival Kit

Marco's parents live in Montana and we've driven there from Northern California nearly every year since 1999. We've even made the trip for Christmas through a lot of snow and ice. This year for the holidays we're flying, primarily because we've already made the drive out there this year, but also because we've gotten wiser in our old age and we've realized that weather is not always our friend.

If you're still under the impression that weather gives a damn about you, may I recommend a Sequioa Vehicle Survival Kit? The folks at Sequoia Survival were nice enough to send me one of these kits to review for the Parent Bloggers Network.

Here's the thing about survival kits. You hope you never have to use them. So, even though the kit has been in my car for a few months, I'm pretty glad I still can't give you a review of how this really works in an emergency. I like that it's compact. My only real complaint is that I wish our minivan had a compartment for the kit, so it didn't clutter up the car. But really, is that such big price to pay for survival?

Here's what the kit contains:

• 32 oz water
• Meals ready to eat (MRE) for 2 people for 1 day
• 151 piece first aid kit
• Two thermal emergency blankets 
• Two rain ponchos 
• Two 6-hour hand warmers
• Two 12-hour light sticks
• Windproof and waterproof matches
• Crank radio/light and cell phone charger (compatible with most models of Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and LG cell phones.)
• Multi-function hardware tool
• Leather work gloves
• Duct tape
• Rope
• Cleansing wipes
• Toilet paper
• Notebook
• Pen
• Playing cards

I'm not much of a survivalist, so I'd love to hear from you all if you think this kit is pretty complete or if it's missing some major items. In other words, what's in your emergency kit?

Comments

[RickR]

The only comment I'd like to make is to ensure the outside of the kit is clearly marked with the expiry date of the first thing in the kit that expires. Things like hand warmers and many items found in a first aid kit will have a shelf life past which they will not be as effective.

[Kacy]

I have a question..now that you have a cellular phone charger, where does that get its energy from? I like everything else in the kit, one day I'm going to make a kit for both my basement & my car.

[mar]

Well, I'm a mom, so the first thing I think of is diapers, for those who need. Maybe if the container for the kit itself was a bucket - for melting snow in winter, etc. More food. Flares. V. small fire extinguisher. Maybe a small, 3ml plastic tarp, to make a shelter. Most of those would be items you would want if you thought you might be in an area where you could be stranded longer. I thought of all that and more after the Kim family tragedy.

[Uma]

I thought food and water were rather inadequate. Understandably, someone facing the situation that requires the use of the kit is probably not expecting a feast, but 2 MREs and a small bottle of water are not going to go far. I whole-heartedly second the tarp idea.

[Ruth H]

I would suggest a box of milk, the kind you find on the shelf, granola bars do not take up much space, more water and CHOCOLATE. Chocolate is a mood food, it will make everyone feel better. Since you have 5 in the family I'm sure you are just listing what each kit contains, not how much you personally have. Remember Chocolate, and oh yes, peanuts, good protein.

[steve]

Candles and a tin can for melting snow.

[Bill]

I would have more water, 32Oz doesn't sound like a lot to me, and also some kind of pot or metal pan. Something to boil with. A trick we were taught in the army was to always carry tampons. Tampons when broken out produce enormous amounts of cotton wool. Which is a brilliant firelighter. There small enough to carry too.

[lorynn]

www.emergencysurvivalsource.com

Emergency survival kits and gear for adults, children and pets

[Clyde]

I have read over several various sites for car survival kits most include a multi tool and/or a knife, parachute cord and a cheap lighter rather than matches. A few mention a metal cup and candles (1-2 inch dia)to melt snow.

Remember...flash light batteries go dead. When not in use I turn one battery around. They last much longer.