Most of the products that our parent bloggers review are non-essential nice-to-haves - entertaining books, educational toys and DVDs, great shoes for moms and kids, among plenty of others. But the Sequoia Survival vehicle kit stands out, not just as a fantastic product in itself, but as a reminder to all of us to be better prepared for emergencies.
Three of the parent bloggers who reviewed the kit live in Florida. One of them commented: “Any wise Floridian knows that disaster preparedness is imperative. Hurricanes, tornadoes, localized flooding, pretty much anything short of a snow storm and Godzilla can happen here.” Another noted that “Since we live in hurricane country with two toddlers, we already have a backpack of essentials in our car (as well as half a linen closet full of water, candles, non-perishable food, etc.). But when packing the car backpack, I was just thinking toddler essentials (diapers, wipes, sippy cups, extra clothes and snacks).” All three Florida residents were thrilled with the kit: “The applications for a kit like this are almost endless. Besides keeping one in every vehicle, they can be used in boats and RVs. If you live in hurricane zone like I do, or a tornado prone area, these kits would be a great addition to your home as well. Or just keep one in your basement in the event of a power outage.”
Two more bloggers live in the upper midwest, where seasonal extremes can make traveling rough. One mother is definitely better prepared than most: “In the back of my car I keep a tote. In this tote I keep: a complete change of clothes for each of the kids in a labeled zip-top bag, a first aid kit, a couple large garbage bags, an umbrella, a package of baby wipes, and a jacket for each kid. In the winter I include a hat and mittens for everyone, a couple extra pair of socks and a blanket thrown on top.” The other is similarly prepared, but admits “I should pay more attention to what I have in my vehicle, if I were to truly analyze what I would want in an emergency situation.”
And another blogger just adores driving her car. A lot. She reported that so far this year, compared to her husband, “I drove nearly as much as he did. He has a long commute. I am a stay-at-home mom. He said, I don’t think you’re getting this ’stay at home’ concept.”
As before, the kits were met with awe as our bloggers unpacked them:
- It “contains every useful thing that you might need in case of emergency and then some.“
- “They’ve thought of several things I wouldn’t have (work gloves!)…“
- “Leather gloves are something often overlooked but after any sort of wind disaster you need them to safely move debris.“
- “…items from the obvious (first aid kit, light sticks, thermal blankets, rope) to the ingenious (duct tape and playing cards)…Add a few fresh diapers, a package of baby wipes, a jack and a set of jumper cables, and I’m ready for virtually any roadside disaster.“
And again, even the former military and disaster preparedness experts were impressed. One blogger’s husband, who was an Army Ranger and is now a firefighter and a car dealer, commented “This is the most high quality civilian survival kit I have ever seen.” When pressed to identify shortcomings of the kit, his only suggestions were “…a tourniquet…a signal mirror and perhaps some non-aerosol insect repellent.” And when he was told the price of the kit - $99 - he “was shocked. I would be willing to pay up to $200 for a kit like this, he told me.”
Likewise, a blogger who is a former Marine and now works in law enforcement was also thoroughly pleased with the kit: “This kit contains some amazing stuff, that I would have been glad to have around, not only when I was a Boy Scout, but also when I was in the Marines!” He goes on to say, “Now, lest you think that this kit is all about being comfy while you wait for help… it isn’t. There are items in this kit that will help you to help yourself out of a bad situation. Items such as: A 75 foot, braided rope; leather work gloves; a Gerber Multi-Function tool; duct tape, and get this!: a flashlight that contains a radio and a cell phone charger! The radio, flashlight and charger all operate from a hand-cranked generator, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice,” and sums up his praise by noting: “I would be glad to have this kit in both of our cars (and my test kit is already in the car [my wife] drives most of the time), and I can’t think of anything that the people at Sequoia might have left out, with the exception of a large shovel.”
While one blogger took her kit camping and even tried the water packets, most of the bloggers have stowed their Sequoia Survival kits safely in their vehicles, happy just to know they’re there. As one mother aptly put it: “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.”
To purchase your own Sequoia Survival kit - a vehicle kit such as the one reviewed by our bloggers, or a home kit - please visit their website.
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I tried to order some kits this week, and sadly their company is shutting down.