I had a dream of a cool urban survival item. A briefcase designed to function as a first aid kit. It was not an ordinary briefcase, modified or otherwise, it had compartments designed to hold first aid supplies. On the outside it looked like any executive quality, hard leather bound briefcase which would blend in perfectly in any business district. There was even some room for additional survival gear you wish to add.

Jeanette Isabelle

What would stop you from using a plain old briefcase and add in a first aid kit and survival supplies? I actually carry a briefcase to work everday as I actually need it for documents and such.

I carry my lunch, umbrella, some first aid supplies, water, and other things that I generally can't carry on my person in a corporate environment such as my Leatherman Wave.

I guess my question is, what added benefits would your design be? And would people want to carry a briefcase that is just full of those things and served no other practical purpose?

I like the idea of a bag that you are bugging out with as seeming to be something plain, instead of hoolding worthwhile supplies. Maybe something that looked like this https://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/Laptop-Bags/Commuter-Laptop/259
But was fitted out to work like http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_...kitNO=0100-0465

Something specific to bug out with is one thing, but for an EDC, I can't see it.

A briefcase by itself, empty, packs a hefty amount of weight. I wouldn't see that as an optimal approach. A backpack is more ideal as it provides a method for carrying it without taking up one of your hands, which would be crucial.

Briefcases also imply something of value in them by their very nature. Backpacks, not so much.

IMHO

Compartments in a first aid kit keep first aid supplies organized and in place. Rather than having everything thrown together, which is a wasteful use of space, specific purpose compartmentalizing saves space.

Jeanette Isabelle

Once again, what is the overall benefit... I can put an organized first aid kit into my briefcase now and still use it as a useful briefcase. Very organized and noth "thrown together". A typical briefcase has organizational pockets.

Why would a business person lug around a briefcase that only contained first aid supplies and survival gear?

Just looking for a good justification for it...

If you are in a survival situation, no one will care that you are carrying a P.D.A. and some documents. When they see your briefcase, that is what they will think.

Jeanette Isabelle

Again... in a survival situation, I sure don't want one of my hands full with a briefcase... The briefcase is only usefull if I have it with me the day the survival situation happens and is not practical to carry on a day to day basis.

Briefcases equate to money equate to something worthwhile. In panic situations, a lot of the populous degrade into looting. Here I am in business attire carrying a briefcase. You can bet that the mob would want it.

Those pockets, if not used for their intended purpose, would only take up valuable space. This is not meant as EDC as you normally won't use its contents on a daily basis. If you have any bug out plans which involves a city, it would be a good item to have access to.

Jeanette Isabelle

Good point. However I think a back pack just screams "survival gear."

Jeanette Isabelle