Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

This Woman Has An Emergency “Get Home” Bag She Keeps In Her Car, And Here Are The 26 Items She Keeps Inside
User submission
700
185.7K

This Woman Has An Emergency “Get Home” Bag She Keeps In Her Car, And Here Are The 26 Items She Keeps Inside

Interview
ADVERTISEMENT

While emergencies don’t happen every day, it’s never a bad idea to consider what might happen in certain scenarios and be prepared to counteract them, even if the likeliness of such scenarios seems very unlikely. After all, when they do happen, harm could have an easier time reaching you, unless a backup plan of some sort is in place.

TikTok user Perkyprepper has dedicated herself to making videos about exactly that – getting ready for various emergency situations. Today’s post was inspired by one of her videos, in which she talks about preparing for an on-the-road emergency, whether it is your car breaking down in a remote area or getting trapped in a snowstorm. The video went viral, amassing 1.6M views, 231.9k likes and prompted over 1.5k comments.

More info: TikTok

RELATED:

    This TikTok user shares various urban survival advice that could help you prepare for the unexpected

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    Perkyprepper is a TikTok user with quite a large following (130.5k), who shares her meticulous preparations for various potential urban emergencies. She describes herself as a “beginner prepper” so perhaps some of her advice should be taken with a grain of salt, however, according to nsc.org (America’s nonprofit National Safety Council), her suggestions are mostly in line with theirs, that is, apart from optional items such as contact lenses. In an interview with Bored Panda, Perkyprepper explains why she got into prepping and shares some advice for those starting out.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The TikTok user begins listing all of the bag’s contents, showing clothing, heat, fire and light-related items first

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    The TikTok user begins taking out various items out of her bag and they already seem well thought through. A change of clothes is important in many ways, including if your current clothes get wet. Warming tools, a blanket and fire-starting tools are obviously crucial for survival, especially if your car runs out of fuel or electric power and you cannot create heat anymore.

    During the interview, Perkyprepper shares that she grew up in a rural area where prepping was just part of people’s lives: “Planning for power outages, limited to no access to stores, and being able to evacuate quickly was the norm.” She then explains that after moving to the city, she felt that there was no need to stop prepping just because of the change in location, and due to the lack of information on urban prepping, Perkyprepper decided to start making instructional videos.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    She then proceeds to show food, sanitation and medical supplies, as well as miscellaneous tools

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: perkyprepper

    The TikTok user then pulls out water and food supplies. Water purification tablets are essential to expand available water supply, meanwhile 48 hours of food should be enough in a lot of situations until rescuers find you or until you manage to get out of the situation at hand somehow. A first aid kit is obviously a must-have, while Advil (an anti-pain medication) is also good to keep around. Having a phone charger is just as essential in case your phone runs out of battery and you have to call for help.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    When asked about the main piece of advice Perkyprepper would give to those starting out she said: “To start! I think prepping can feel overwhelming to a lot of beginners because there is so much to buy, learn, and do. That being said , it doesn’t happen overnight!” She also adds that there is no “right” way to prep, but it’s the decision to start that really matters.

    Check out the full video below

    @perkyprepper Often overlooked prep⚠️🙏🏼 What else is in your “get home” bag? #preppertok #urbanprepper #gethomebag #carprep #shtf #emergencypreparedness #preptokk ♬ Hell N Back – Bakar

    Commentators were quick to add their own suggestions, while some cracked a joke or two

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    All in all, it is never a bad idea to be prepared for unlikely, yet dangerous scenarios. You never know when things can go wrong, so this TikTok user definitely has a point about being ready for various challenging or even dire scenarios. Perkyprepper also says that prepping being expensive is a common misconception, especially considering that most preppers “build their stockpile over a long period of time.”

    According to her, beginners should start with small, but regular purchases, and when it comes to higher-priced items like tools and supplies, one should start with the basics and save up to buy one at a time. Lastly, Perkyprepper says that she continually tracks and rotates her stockpile in order to ensure she’s not wasting any food and is always ready for the unforeseen.

    What do you think about prepping? Let us know in the comments below!

    186Kviews

    Share on Facebook
    Žygimantas Snarskis

    Žygimantas Snarskis

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Žygimantas is a Bored Panda writer and content creator. He has recently graduated with a degree in Journalism & Communications from Cardiff University and has a professional background in Public Relations. During his spare time Žygimantas makes electronic music, codes, tinkers with electronics and aspires to be a great bass player.

    Read less »
    Žygimantas Snarskis

    Žygimantas Snarskis

    Author, Community member

    Žygimantas is a Bored Panda writer and content creator. He has recently graduated with a degree in Journalism & Communications from Cardiff University and has a professional background in Public Relations. During his spare time Žygimantas makes electronic music, codes, tinkers with electronics and aspires to be a great bass player.

    Saulė Tolstych

    Saulė Tolstych

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

    Read less »

    Saulė Tolstych

    Saulė Tolstych

    Author, Community member

    Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does she regularly drive through vast swathes of desert or wilderness? I think what would be needed in an emergency will really be quite different depending on where you live. Here in Germany, it's practically impossible to get stranded in any place that's farther than about two or three hours by foot to the next human settlement, but people have been stuck in traffic jams on the autobahn for whole nights in winter.

    2WheelTravlr
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 20 minutes I can be at the edge of 100s of miles of wilderness, I can also choose a multitude of roads where I can drive for miles without seeing another human. I'm not in the middle of nowhere either, my house is 15 minutes from shopping and a hospital. In the US many people live in areas like this.

    Load More Replies...
    NsG
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not watching the linked video (I don't support tiktok if I can help it), but one thing that needs mentioning is that you take out and review the contents on at least a monthly (if not weekly) basis. Powerbanks can lose charge over time even unused. Food has expriry dates. Obviously, tools and clothes are probably okay to leave until needed. But, often overlooked, medication also expires and will lose its effectiveness. This shouldnt be a prep-and-forget bag, or it'll be useless when actually needed.

    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw on some fact-checking website or YouTube channel (it was a long time ago) that the food expiration dates are just randomly chosen based on guesses. Medication dates, on the other hand, need to be adhered to.

    Load More Replies...
    Robert T
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also de-icer, scraper and a first aid kit. In my classic I also carry jump leads, tow rope and a foot pump.

    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know you know, but for everyone else: Know where and how to hook a tow strap up to your vehicle. You don't want to be one of those 'fail' videos where they just tear the front end off the car. Also, read the owner's manual procedure for jump-starting your particular vehicle.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does she regularly drive through vast swathes of desert or wilderness? I think what would be needed in an emergency will really be quite different depending on where you live. Here in Germany, it's practically impossible to get stranded in any place that's farther than about two or three hours by foot to the next human settlement, but people have been stuck in traffic jams on the autobahn for whole nights in winter.

    2WheelTravlr
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 20 minutes I can be at the edge of 100s of miles of wilderness, I can also choose a multitude of roads where I can drive for miles without seeing another human. I'm not in the middle of nowhere either, my house is 15 minutes from shopping and a hospital. In the US many people live in areas like this.

    Load More Replies...
    NsG
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not watching the linked video (I don't support tiktok if I can help it), but one thing that needs mentioning is that you take out and review the contents on at least a monthly (if not weekly) basis. Powerbanks can lose charge over time even unused. Food has expriry dates. Obviously, tools and clothes are probably okay to leave until needed. But, often overlooked, medication also expires and will lose its effectiveness. This shouldnt be a prep-and-forget bag, or it'll be useless when actually needed.

    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw on some fact-checking website or YouTube channel (it was a long time ago) that the food expiration dates are just randomly chosen based on guesses. Medication dates, on the other hand, need to be adhered to.

    Load More Replies...
    Robert T
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also de-icer, scraper and a first aid kit. In my classic I also carry jump leads, tow rope and a foot pump.

    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know you know, but for everyone else: Know where and how to hook a tow strap up to your vehicle. You don't want to be one of those 'fail' videos where they just tear the front end off the car. Also, read the owner's manual procedure for jump-starting your particular vehicle.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Related on Bored Panda
    Related on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda