25 Things Updated

You may have read this post http://codenameinsight.blogspot.com/2008/05/dpt-25-things-to-always-have-with-you.html where I outlined the 25 things you should always carry with you. While I was revamping my go bag, I took a look at the contents of my smaller daily carry pouch and added a few things. Here's an explanation:

30 Things You Should Always Have With You (and a couple other items):

1. A pouch to put everything I (I use a LeSportsac lightweight nylon pouch)


2. $100 in cash (depending on where you are you may want to carry five $20s)


3. $2 in quarters (quarters always seem to come in handy)


4. Pocket knife (I've had this knife for about thirty years and use it all the time)


5. Laminated list of people I can call on in an emergency (this list contains about eight phone numbers of people I can count on for anything; if my cell phone dies I can at least have these numbers available)


6. Cell phone (this is a must have)


7. Credit/debit card with at least $1,000 on it (you never know when an emergency will happen and you need to pay for something that costs more than $100 immediately)


8. Small flashlight (I have used this to find my way out of dark buildings, look at people's swollen throats, etc)


9. Lighter or matches (while I don't smoke, a lighter is useful for melting ends of nylon cord, etc)


10. Pen and paper (to take a note or leave a note)


11. Mirror (this is a tiny mirror found at WalMart; can be used for signalling or getting the spinach out of your teeth after a business lunch)


12. Aspirin (people always seem to need aspirin for headaches, etc)


13. Firearm and ammo (one of the best life insurance policies you can have)


14. Calling card (If my cell dies I can still call from a payphone although they are getting harder to find; can also be used to call long distance from a friends house; sometimes calling cards work during a disaster when cells don't)


15. Passport (I use this for definitive ID; my driver's license has my address on in which I don't want people to know and my military ID has my social security number on it which I also don't want people to know)


16. Digital camera (a digital camera is included in my cell phone, above)


17. Necessary medications (I don't take any medications, however for those who do, having a spare nitro or diabetes medications with you, should you be away from home unexpectedly is good insurance)


18. Medical info--allergies, medical history, current medications, doctor's name and phone number (this info was included on the phone number list above, printed out in 9 point font and laminated to the back of the copy of my ID below)


19. USB drive (this is a micro thumb drive which I use often to transfer files from place to place; also includes files with my most important information--copy of passport, copy of birth certificate, passwords, etc)


20. Spare house key (if I ever lose my keys at lease I can get into my home without breaking a window or setting off the alarm)


21. Rubber band (this item comes in handy for various things from time to time)


22. Safety pin (ditto)


23. ID of some sort (I made a copy of my drivers license--reduced to 70%--and laminated it to the back of my emergency phone number list. It's also good for the paramedics/police to be able to identify you in an emergency)


24. Floss (for obvious purposes, also can be used in place of string)


25. Food (a granola bar of some sort comes in handy when I'm away from home for a period of time, am hungry, and don't want to go to a restaurant)


26. Bandana (surprisingly I use this for everything from wiping sweat off my brow in locations where it is hot to a head covering to a washcloth. It's a good idea to keep this in a ziploc bag so you can easily store it when it is wet).


27. Ziploc bag (see above)


28. Wet wipe (good for a quick wash up; change this out often as they deteriorate quickly)


29. OB (the feminine hygiene kind. Is an excellent wound compress)


30. Condom (aside from the obvious purpose, can be used to carry water or as a tourniquet. Get the unlubricated kind)


31. Bandaids (a couple of small bandaids can be useful for a variety of things)


32. Alcohol wipe (to disinfect the needle, below, and wounds. Is also a good fire starter)
    
33. Needle (can be used to sew--use the floss above or reuse thread from the garment you are working on; also to take out splinters, pop blisters, etc)


34. Bottle of water (it's too big to carry in an emergency pack but if you have room in your go bag it's good to have on hand)

All of the items above, except for the cell phone and gun, fit into the pouch which measures 3" x 4" x 1". This pouch can be carried in your go bag, in your briefcase, or in a large pocket.