Thursday 05/04/18
Whether you stay at home or get as far away from your regular routine as possible, holidays are a great opportunity to forget about your troubles for a week or two. But don’t get too relaxed, you’re only on holiday from your job, not everyday life. Have you ever given much thought to what would happen if disaster struck during your vacation? Of course you haven’t; I doubt many people have.
If you’re holidaying at home when disaster strikes; no problem. You grab your Bug Out Bag (or BOB) and go. If you’re enjoying a camping trip when disaster strikes, then you’re way ahead of everyone else. You’ve already got all the gear, food, and supplies you need, and you’re miles away from any major population centre. But what do you do if disaster strikes while you’re stuck in a strange city or country?
Obviously, you can’t travel with your BOB if you’re not driving to your holiday destination. In fact, the security team at the airport may be less than impressed if you try to bring your BOB onto the plane (especially if you have included a hunting knife or other similar items in your kit).
If the resort/suburb/city your staying is ordered to evacuate due to an impending disaster, you’ll have to do so very quickly. You won't have time to pack your suitcases before you leave; remember how long it took you to pack them in the first place? And you sure as hell aren’t going to be able to lug them very far – especially if you are stuck with hundreds, or thousands, of panicky tourists. So; what is the solution?
A fold-up backpack.
“A what?” I hear you ask.
A fold-up backpack is a lightweight nylon sack with thin shoulder straps that can be rolled or folded down to the size of a pencil case. They are inexpensive, don’t take up much room, and can be used as an emergency BOB.
What goes into the bag? Essentials only. A change of underwear, a couple of pairs of socks, your medicines, hygiene supplies, sunscreen, bug repellent, your phone’s charging cable and plug, a roll of toilet paper, and as many bottles of water as you can find. Don’t forget a jumper or jacket. If it is hot, tie the arms around your waist (this will save room in your emergency BOB).
Leave your laptop, expensive camera, and souvenirs in your hotel room. This stuff will only slow you down (and you will probably abandon it anyway). You can go back and claim your gear when the danger is gone.
Don’t forget; every person in your party needs their own fold-up backpack. Due to their size they can’t hold much gear, so each person needs their own bag. The good news is the price; they only cost $5 - $10 each, and they’re available at just about every chain department store.
If you benefited from the information in tonight’s blog, please share it with your friends and family on social media.