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Life has an uncanny way of throwing a curveball at you when you least expect it. As I sat down to eat dinner and plan out some upcoming travel, I got the phone call that no one ever wants to get: “Your parent is in the hospital.” Being a younger guy, I still assume that my parents are somewhere between human and superhuman, always available to answer questions, and impart wisdom. Like many, I’ve viewed my parents as invincible for much of my life. As the phone call went on, two things immediately popped into my mind: I needed to book a flight home as soon as possible, and I needed to pack a bag. The concept of having an “emergency bag” isn’t new to me – being prepared was drilled into my head while I was in Boy Scouts, and the occasional threat of tornadoes in Kentucky meant I always had something ready, but between moving to NYC a year ago and just generally being busy, I hadn’t taken the time to repack such a bag, which bit me when I got the call about my father. I’m happy to report that several weeks out from that phone call he’s doing well and recovering. While I hope that you don’t get the same call anytime soon, it was a stark reminder that things are unpredictable and you need to be willing and able to react quickly.
Now, I need to preface the rest of this article and say that this isn’t a definitive guide to what you should have in your bag, but rather an overview of the items that I had (and will have) in my bag as I work to be more prepared for the next unexpected curveball. My hope is that you and your household will be able to look at the various factors that might affect you unexpectedly and create a bag suited to your needs, should you have to use it. Additionally, the items here aren’t intended to keep you alive during the “apocalypse,” but to help simplify a number of decisions during a chaotic time you might be experiencing.
Bag
When I worked in manufacturing, there was a philosophy known as the “5S’”, most of which are irrelevant to this article except for one specific phrase: “A place for everything, and everything in its place”. Personally, I’ve chosen a small, Mystery Ranch One Day Assault Pack (AKA 1DAP) for my stuff, as it should work for a personal item on any flight and it’s not a part of my regular pack rotation. With that said, take a look around your home and see what you have that could fulfill this purpose, as any ole backpack or duffel bag could work well for your purpose.
Clothes
The first thing that I recommend you have in your pack is a change of clothes. While this seems pretty obvious, it’s amazing how adrenaline affects the mind and the odd things you might fixate on. As I was packing for this trip, I found myself grabbing multiple pairs of athletic shorts and polo shirts, while simultaneously grabbing 10 pairs of socks. Thankfully I realized what I was doing and made an adjustment to an appropriate number of core items that would allow me to be comfortable while sitting in the hospital, waiting with my family. I would personally recommend that you have an outfit you’ll be comfortable wearing, and that you pack a jacket or sweatshirt, just in case you find yourself in a room with exceptionally strong air conditioning. For this bag, I’ve chosen a lightweight pair of tech pants, an Icebreaker merino t-shirt, and a packable jacket from Nomatic, which doubles as a pillow if needed. This combination is light enough for summer wear, but would be a good base layer for cooler, fall weather.
Battery Bank
Arguably the second most important thing on this list would be a battery bank or phone charger, as so much of our lives are stored on our cell phones. When I travel, I follow the ABC theory, also known as “Always Be Charging,” as my phone is several generations old and the battery is rapidly failing. For all things charging, I prefer Anker products as they seem to be made to a high standard and function flawlessly when I need them. I’ve recently added a 24,000 Mah Anker 537 as it features USB-C in/out, and can even power my laptop in a pinch. USB-C has slowly taken over everything in my life (phone, headphones, camera, laptop, etc) which is great as I now need to carry fewer cables, and can easily find another USB-C cable if needed.
Documents
Take a second and think about the following question: at this moment, do you know where your ID, passport, and other forms of identification are? While I have dedicated storage spots for each form of ID, there have been times when I misplace something and have to go hunting for it. I’m ashamed to admit that I accidentally packed my passport during my recent move and couldn’t find it for almost a month. I’m still not sure how I managed to do this, but it’s made me be more aware of where these important documents are stored. If you have the space and ability to do so, getting a home safe is a wonderful idea, as they usually offer some level of fire resistance, and can be a great place to store your important documents, and a watch collection as well. If this isn’t in the cards for you, another great option is designating a discreet place to store these items, and make sure that you always return items to this place after you use them.
Toiletries
Next, I’d recommend packing a toiletry kit with personal hygiene items. For years, I only traveled occasionally and would just take the full-size containers of soap, toothpaste, and deodorant as I had a car and drove most of the time. However, the last year has seen multiple weekend trips to visit family, several week long trips for various work events, and there’s even more on the horizon. Having a small, TSA compliant pouch has allowed me to cut down on the weight and size of my luggage, leading to my first “one bag” trip earlier this year. I’m a huge fan of the Nite-ize runoff pouch series as they have a clear side, allowing you to see what’s inside. And they’re waterproof, preventing any spills from coating your clothes or other items. Inside of my toiletries pouch, I keep a foldable toothbrush, toothpaste, floss picks, a small comb, nail clippers, shower supplies, tweezers, and a small stick of deodorant.
Entertainment
Whether you’re taking a long flight, lost power due to a storm, or find yourself sitting in a hospital room like I did, having something to keep yourself (or your kids) entertained could be a proverbial life saver. As a start, I recommend having 1-2 games on your phone that don’t need a data connection, but it’s best to have something tangible. My go-to option is a deck of cards, as you can play a classic game of Solitaire, or any number of multiplayer games. If you’re not a fan of card games, other great options are a book for reading or a sketchbook if you have a creative mindset. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you choose, it just needs to keep your mind occupied.
Snacks & Water Bottle
These next items pair well so I’m going to group them together, and they are pretty self explanatory. Judging from the number of times I’ve been running errands and wanted a snack, or wished I had brought a water bottle because the subway was 100+ degrees, I know I’d want both of these if something was to happen and all I had was my backpack. Since the idea of this bag is to pack it and forget about it until you need it, I’d recommend a snack with a long shelf life, like jerky or granola. I also prefer a reusable bottle over a prefilled one as it’s easier to refill, and it’s better for the environment.
A Watch
Last but not least, I’m throwing in a watch to this kit, as I might forget to put one on as I’m getting ready, or I might have a watch on that I don’t bang around. I’m not one to baby my stuff, but I also like to be reasonable about what I’m wearing while moving, working on cars, or even traveling through unknown areas. For these reasons, I’m adding my Titanium Bertucci A-2T to the bag. This watch has already traveled the world once with its previous owner, and bears the scars to prove it. Since it’s titanium, this watch is super lightweight, feels great on a nylon pass through strap, and the quartz movement ensures that it’s always ticking, even if the date is off.
