Emergency Escape Vehicle

Why and how to put together a vehicle that will save your life.

When I say EEV (Emergency Escape Vehicle) what comes to the mind of most people is some type of Mad Max inspired juggernaut with gas tanks strapped to the side, a 4 foot lift kit and a bumper sticker that says "I shoot first, ask questions later". For that reason, this subject is filed in your brain as a topic for only the most intense survivalist and honestly for people that are so wrapped around "surviving" that they are not really living. This is simply not true. Yes, some people spend thousands of dollars on creating the perfect survival vehicle but this is not necessarily what you need to do. You can have a perfectly prepared EEV and not look like you joined some Para-military group when you roll up to buy groceries.

The reasons for you to have a EEV are countless. Every year we see some kind of disaster strike our nation where entire cities are without power or water. There's masses of people flooding to poorly managed and supplied shelters ran by the government, looters and sadly even murders take place. It is an amazing and frightening thing how thin the line between civilization and savagery is and even more concerning is how easy it is for people to cross it. When something like this happens it is my plan to get out of town. Some people choose to stay and fight, as for me, my things are of zero value. I have no problem seeing them burn ablaze if it means having my family safely next to me, for that reason, I choose to leave.

If you are like me then you will need to be ready. Believe me you won’t be the only one with the idea to escape, the roads will get choked up quick and that could only spell disaster as you are trapped in a neat row of metal coffins ready for masses of deranged people to pick cars clean one by one. Therefore you are going to want to get out quick, the earlier the better. Pay attention to the weather radio, if something is expected they will begin evacuation advisories pretty early. Most people ignore these until the problem is right on top of them and the roads are all backed up. Don’t be one of them! The moment you hear of an evacuation advisory load the car and get.

First, you will need to have a few things ready to go and the know how in order to be successful at this. My goal with this blog is to use my EEV as a platform to help launch your own and being able to survive any disaster. So, let's get started.

1. Ghost mode: It is better for your vehicle to look dull and un-interesting. From a survival stand point, any time I see a person walking around all tacted out or a vehicle with all kinds of gadgets and antennas poking out all I can think of is "target" and that's exactly what that makes you. You should know my philosophy, the nail that sticks out gets the hammer. My suggestion, be a ghost. Nothing special about you, no stickers that say "survivor", nothing that announces that you are prepared, be boring until the moment comes, then you can bust out the fangs.

2. Preparation: Where in the world are you going? Can your car even take it? What if you have to drive through the grass in the center of the interstate because it’s all choked up? If your escape route takes days instead of hours can your family survive? You should ask yourself these questions when picking an EEV and planning your escape route. The best thing to do is to pick a safe location that is relatively close but not too close to the disaster. This is the time when it comes in handy to have family and friends spread out in different states and even countries. If you don't have any, get friendly and start making connections, you will need them. Plan the shortest route possible to your safe zones and find all the alternative routes to them. If some routes take you off road make sure your vehicle can take it.

3.Your vehicle: Although any car can be a EEV, there are ones that are more appropriate for the job. If you get a choice between a sedan or a 4x4, I suggest take the more sturdy of the two. I would like to personally recommend the Honda CRV it is a 4 cylinder, sturdy 4x4 beast, it is easy on gas consumption and roomy enough to put the seats down and sleep, even with all your gear in it. Regardless of what vehicle you own or pick maintenance is key. I am amazed by how many people don't remember when was the last time they got an oil change. If you are planning to use your vehicle as a survival tool you better take good care of it. Much like a gun you can’t just let your vehicle sit there and expect it to work when you need it, it requires excellent maintenance and attention to detail. Do you hear a grinding noise? Take it to a trusted mechanic, it could just start out as a simple thing but it could  get worst with time. Keep the oil clean, the tires properly inflated, and the gas tank at least halfway full at all times.

you wont always have gps

4.Your kit: Naturally, your kit needs to be able to fit in your car since it will be in it always. The only thing you should have to add to your vehicle while escaping is your evac bag, passengers, and perhaps important papers that you don’t want to leave behind. The following is a basic list of items that should be in your car at all times:

• Water, at least 1 liter per passenger, I keep mine in military grade canteens under the driver’s seat.
• Food, some type of non-perishable food can make the difference between a comfortable night spent in the car and a night of frustration. I keep an MRE kit for two in a compartment under the passenger seat.
• Air pump, most of the times your kit will come in handy not in a big disaster but in day to day operations, for that reason make it practical. Your tires need air, make sure you are able to put some in.
• Duct tape, any redneck will tell you that “there ain't nottin' ya'll can't fix with duck tape” this is absolutely true.
• Knife, I keep a fix blade Gerber knife in my kit, it's always good to have a blade on you.
• Hobo tool, this multi tool has a fork and spoon instead of a Philips screw driver and a file, and it is way more comfortable than eating with my hands.
• Rope, you never know when you will need to tie something down.
• Gloves, car engines are hot, sharp places to stick your mitts in. If you want to continue to feel with your hands then I recommend a good pair of mechanic’s gloves.
• Kindling, a piece of folded newspaper will do, it has saved our but while camping when all the kindling was damp.
• First aid kit, I really should not have to explain this one.
• Flash lights and rain poncho, it’s true, most breakdowns happen when it’s dark, rainy and you have had a back cramp all week. Do yourself a favor and at least alleviate two of those issues.
• Plastic bags, good to clean up messes, hold water, keep you dry, collect food, etc.
• Compass, because Google maps won’t always be there for you, and let’s face it, all though you pretend, you have no idea how to find Polaris.
• Road Atlas, same reason as above, brush upon your navigational skills. Next road trip don’t use your GPS, it'll be good practice.
• Tool box, I am blessed to have a very gifted father as a mechanic and when I asked him where I could get a good ratchet set to fix simple stuff in the car in case of an emergency, he gave me an entire tool box, I can probably build an entire engine with the stuff that's in there. If, I only knew how.
• Weapon, a gun, a machete, a baseball bat, anything. You need to be able to defend your family if push comes to shove, you don’t want to be the guy threatening to call the police while the city behind you is up in flames, trust me they are busy.
• Folding shovel, there is some really good ones out there now, not just the clunky army surplus ones. These are good to get you out of a ditch or dig a hole for a toilet.
• Walkie talkie, any type of communication is good to try and get a hold of help when phone service is down.
• car jack, your vechile probably weighs at least a ton and unless you can lift that you may want one of these in your trunk.
• Jumper cables, save the day or be rescued, either way it's good to have them.
• Evac bag, in it is your survival; check my blog on preparing it if you want to know what’s in it.
The gear that should be in your car will change according to passengers, special needs and region; this is just a basic list to get you started. For example, if I live in the dessert I would double up on water, if I live way up north and it's winter I would add kitty liter (adds traction in snow) and sleeping bags to my kit, etc. When it comes down to it the most important part it's your brain. Do research, learn basic car repair skills, prepare and survive.

a flash light and first-aid are vital

I hope this blog was helpful. Let me know in the comments below if there is any gear you would advise me to add to my kit.

no one wants to deal with hungry passengers

a ratchet set along other tools is necessary for on the road repair