Editor’s Note: This article was generously contributed by Orlando Wilson. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter the Prepper Writing Contest today!
I am always being asked for my advice about what equipment should be taken on trips to out-of-the-way places. My initial response is to take as little as possible. The more you know, the less you need right? With the below items you should be able to operate for extended periods of time. The below items should fit into a medium size day sack that should be able to carried onto a plane.
Items like pocket knives etc. would need to go checked or found at location. This is a guide and not all these items will be required on all trips, do your threat assessments and plan all trips properly before you travel.
Operational Deployment Equipment List – Personal kit
- $500.00 USD minimum in cash, small bills, to be split up, water proofed and concealed in various locations on your person. Same for credit and bank cards.
- Communications, will cell phones work, can you get local phones/chips? Remember chargers!
- Day Pack and fanny pack/belt pouch
- Watch
- Pocket knife & multi-tool (unable to take as carry-on luggage)
- Personal first aid kit: tampons, gauze, duct tape, bobby/safety pins and antiseptic cream.
- Water bottles + purification tabs (water can be boiled in steel alloy bottles!)
- Bug juice + sun block
- Maps (water proofed) and compass (Make sure you know how to use them together)
- At least one Flashlight + spare batteries (headlamps are great alternatives)
- Lighter
- Personal water filter
- Bogota lock picks, lock shims & diamond/needle files
- Para cord
- Duct tape
- Wash kit: tooth-brush + paste, soap, razor
- Sewing kit
- Smoke signals + flares (unable to take as carry-on luggage)
- Blanket (poncho liner)
- Poncho (for shelter and use as a rain coat)
- Note book and pens and post-it notes
- Laptop
- Camera/Video
- Emergency power, batteries or solar etc.
- 2 X extra pants (quick drying) and long sleeve t-shirts (under-armor type, Wal-Mart brand works, consider colors, do you want to be seen or not!)
- At least 2 X pairs of extra socks
- Boots (broken-in), flip-flops
- Gloves and Balaclava (if tactical)
- Weapons if legal and required
- Local laws on use of force
Additional Considerations
- Sources of food and water
- Accommodation and electricity
- Laundry service
- Where can you change currency
- Additional operational equipment
Emergency Vehicle Kit
- Gas containers
- Tube to siphon gas
- Fix-a-Flat X 2 and/or tire plugs
- Tire plug kit
- Portable air compressor (Tire inflator)
- Jump leads (Jumper cables)
- Tow rope
Orlando,
A communications alternative could be a pair of multi-band handheld radios that include FMRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies. Whether traveling in the U.S. or overseas for recreation or adventure, you may find yourself in areas where there is no cell phone coverage (especially 3rd world locations). If you get separated from your group (intentionally or otherwise) this device can be an important safety tool. I always carry a pair of Baofeng radios (BF-F9V2+) with spare 3800 mAh batteries, spare antennas and mics. They are inexpensive but highly reliable and provide good transmit range. Good article!
Bolofia,
Make sure the radios are legal where you travel to outside of the U.S. In some countries radios are restricted. For example, I bet most people do not know that it is illegal in Mexico for civilians to possess camo clothing!
Orlando,
Good tips overall!!
Good point! If you plan to use radios outside of the U.S., look up the frequency allocations of the country you are traveling to. It may be advisable to purchase a set of walky-talkies once you arrive that have appropriate channel assignments, but don’t expect a transmit range of greater than two miles. U.S. FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies may be allocated as government bands in another country. In other words, do you homework.
Regarding the camo ban in Mexico, I would estimate that 80+% of the illegal aliens and drug smugglers crossing into my home state are wearing camo these days.
That’s the Mexican Army, haha!!! I guess if your in the illegal drug trade and breaking other countries immigration law, what’s a little camo.
You could get very rich selling camo, backpacks, carpet shoes and black water jugs in Mexico. Your only competition would be drug cartels. But, hey, what’s life without a little excitement?
Life on the edge.
Roger that!! We all need a little spice in our lives!
All good points. Make sure in your vehicle that you have extra ammunition as well. If cordage is an issue, replace all of your shoelaces with paracord.
Nice piece and list.
As for the ‘as little as possible’, I agree. Those traveling with dependent others (spouse, children, etc..) need to account for those dependents in their preps.