You probably put a lot of thought into your gun and what it says about you as a shooter, but do you ever stop and think about the vehicle you drive? Our cars can say quite a bit about us both from the outside and the inside. In this video, former Green Beret Matt Pech talks about the importance of your vehicle and its loadout.
The Outside Looking In
Yes, it does matter what your car or truck looks like on the outside. As Matt points out, having a more recognizable vehicle isn’t really a good thing. He works in law enforcement and says he’s aware people in his town know his truck on sight, but he still mentions the need to attempt to blend in. What does that look like? It means remembering that stickers or magnets that make your vehicle stand out aren’t necessarily a good idea. The same goes for flashy details and colors. If your goal is to blend in, your vehicle can’t say, “Hey, look at me.”
The Vehicle Loadout
Matt makes a few specific suggestions of things to consider keeping in your vehicle at all times, including:
- First aid kit
- Tourniquet that is accessible from the driver’s seat
- A locking gun safe
- Knife, for utility reasons
- Hardshell rifle case
- Matt keeps his active killer response kit in his case. The contents include a Glock-integral MCK, which has a weapon-mounted light and red dot sight on it, and spare magazines.
- Plate carrier (PC) with additional magazines staged in its pockets
- Vehicle entry kit
- Matt’s kit includes a car door wedge and a tool to unlock a vehicle through its window
- Chemical lights (glow sticks)
- Fix A Flat
- Utility light with a magnet
- Tactical/utility flashlight
- Complete trauma kit
- In addition to a basic first aid kit, a full trauma kit is a good idea to consider keeping in your vehicle as part of its loadout. Matt keeps one in a ready-to-go pack in his truck so he has a well-stocked response for major incidents like serious car wrecks and active killer incidents. A few items in the kit include a Clever Cutter for cutting clothing to get a better look at injuries, gloves, large bandages, and a decompression needle.
- Fire extinguisher
Check out the video below to find out what Matt has to say about his loadout, why you need it, and how he looks at being prepared:
Other Items to Consider
There are some other things to think about keeping in your vehicle:
- Water
- Blankets
- Shovel
- Tools
- Non-perishable food
- Backup battery charger
- Trash bags
It’s wise to pay attention to vehicle maintenance, too. Your car or truck won’t do you much good if it breaks down.
YouTuber Robert Leal had the following suggestion regarding fire extinguisher storage:
“Based on my experience of 25+ years in law-enforcement I would recommend not to keep the fire extinguisher in your enclosed cabin. I’ve seen these things set off and it could cause breathing problems for your kids. Real bad scenario that you’re driving on the highway without chance of pulling over and your kids taking in the dry powder.”
What have you done to make sure you’re ready to respond to an emergency while you’re on the road? We’d love to hear about your vehicle loadout and trauma kit contents. Share with us in the comments section below.
