I''ve learned so much from this forum in the past, I'm hoping you all can give me some advice on how to be prepared when you have to travel for business.

I'm currently on a business trip in Louisville. I received an alert on my phone an hour or so ago indicating there was an immediate evacuation/shelter-in-place order just outside of town due to an explosion at a train derailment site. The train was transporting toxic chemicals. This got me thinking and I'm curious how those of you who travel stay prepared.

My question has two parts: 1) in general, how do you prepare and what do you carry while traveling and 2) what game plans do you have in place if you have to evacuate an area when you're far from home?

FYI the alert came from NOAA via my Weatherbug app. Not the type of alerts I usually receive on that app. Is there something better to use for non-weather related emergencies?

I recently changed jobs and find myself traveling by air significantly more often than before. I'd already developed (what I think is) a pretty good commuter kit for public transit with some great input in this thread: http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=237263 . I had to strip it down for TSA-compliance, weight and bulk to fly with it, so here's what I have with me now:

• Bottle of water, purchased locally
• snack bars
• spare CR123A battery in a plastic wrapper, suitable for my primary EDC flashlight (which is a 4Sevens Quark 123 R5)
• 4Sevens Prism kit to turn the Quark into a headlamp
• iTP A3 EOS Upgrade 1xAAA flashlight on a neck lanyard
• mini-Bic
• A couple of large paperclips
• 4Sevens titanium key ring whistle
• A small amount of duct tape
• Sawyer sunblock with bug repellant spray
• bandanna
• Heatsheets 2 person emergency blanket
• rain shell
• Countycommm "ETFR" small radio with earbuds
• Leatherman Wave (pre-2004) (in checked bag, moved to laptop bag aft flight, left at home when not checking bags on shorter trips)
• Preon 2 S3 Ti
• small FAK including Patrol Officer's Pocket Trauma Kit
• sync/charge cables and AC power cube for my iPhone and iPad
• 10 Ah lithium polymer battery with cables to charge my iThings or many other devices
• earplugs
• facial tissue
• small Leatherman multi without knife blade, marked as TSA-compliant and successfully carried through airport security many times
• appropriate outerwear, including boots when I can bring them
• spare contact lenses, glasses
• international outlet adapters if appropriate

All kits are a compromise. I've compromised here rather more than I might have liked, but for less than my coworkers traveling with me -- I've been able to help with many small travel challenges as a consequence.

Most of my business travel has involved situations where field work was on the agenda, so I was in good shape for a good many potential emergencies in terms of FAKs, etc. I found that a small, minimalist backpack of the type that do double duty as a stuff sack for a sleeping bag made for a very versatile carry on bag that was quite useful in a variety of situations. I always try to have shoes or boot with me in which I can walk a significant distance, if necessary. This can be tricky if your work involves more formal environments.

I think it is hard to bear Chaosmagnet's basic list.

I travel for a living, and the answer to your question would be based on how and where you travel. If by car, it is pretty easy to have what you need with you in a tote in the trunk. Be sure to equip for the expected extremes of the climate you are driving into. Always have a way to carry the most critical gear if you have to walk. Even if you car pool, don't be afraid to toss in a small extra backpack with your survival gear in it.

If you go by air, it is a little more challenging, but still do-able. In my checked luggage, I always have walking shoes, some heavier casual clothing, a hat, a large swiss army knife, mini BIC, whistle, AA cell LED flashlight, small FAK, water purification tabs, button compass, and local maps.

You won't be walking back to Utah from Louisville, so bring what you think you will need if you have to walk to a public shelter for a few days. Consider if pepper spray is right for you.

I also carry a few basics in my computer bag, as the SHTF event might happen while I am sitting in a meeting room somewhere... a small LED flashlight, a small swiss army knife (classic), a bandanna, a mini BIC, a whistle, a button compass, phone charger. Also, I have a little cash stashed.

Lastly, I always dress as comfortably as the situation allows. I can usually get by with Dockers and long sleeve Eddie Bauer shirts. I always consider if this is the set of clothes that I would want to wear for three or four days in a sudden emergency where my checked bag is back at the hotel, and I am sitting in the gym at the local YMCA. If you are a person who wears spike heels and micro-minis to work, you need to have your emergency backpack with you at the place of business.

There is no one perfect list, as it depends on your personal needs, your mode of transportation, and your environment along the way and at your destination.

I travel by very often, and never go without my kit. The only things I do not carry on are the knives. I do carry the pocket survival saw from Survival Resources; and EMT Shears. These two cutting tools will suffice for most cutting needs and they are TSA friendly.

This is something I find tricky at times as well...I don't fly that often, usually my traveling is within car or train range, but flying makes it a lot harder to feel prepared especially if you're like me and only travel with carry-on luggage if at all possible. Not being able to bring a SAK and a can of pepper spray is less than optimal. I like the tip about EMT shears...will have to add a pair to my packing next time. In response to the above comment about dressing comfortably, I completely agree and would add that it's preferable to stick with natural fibers wherever possible--in the event of a fire, they won't melt and stick to skin like synthetics can. Wool is best for flame resistance and there is a decent amount of washable wool clothing available (since anything dry clean only is pretty impractical IMHO). Cotton will burn pretty easily but at least won't melt.

I travel by airline a lot, typically 35 weeks a year, sometimes overnight, sometimes all week or more. Always travel with a checked bag as I need my knives. Threw this list together from memory, probably left a few items off.

Except as noted, this is what I carry on in my Rollerboard and Rolling Computer Case and on my person
* = Checked Baggage
# = Carry-on and Checked baggage

Tools and such:

Verizon Droid Razr MAX Smart Phone (will last 2 days standby regular, 3 days when set to economy)
ToughBook computer (7 hrs battery life)
6 ft. extension cord w/ 3 receptacle, three way plug, and Charge Cables for devices
Sidewinder Charger for cell phone *
TSA Compliant Leatherman Knifeless Fuse
3.5" Scissors
Assortment of flashlights (varies, but typically about 4-6 ranging from PICO/Photon to 100+ lumen)
Spare batteries for flashlights #
Various Multi-use pens :-)
BIC Lighter, vacuum packed
Book Matches, vacuum packed *
RSK Mk1 and Mini-RSK Mk1 Knives *
Leatherman Charge *
Leatherman Juice S2 *

(I carry 2 sets knives and tools for both less formal and business dress)

Supplies:

4 x 26" rolls duct tape
48" roll fluorescent pink gaffer tape
48" roll 3/4" fiberglass reinforced strapping tape
AMK PSP (with scalpel blade removed)
2 x X-Large Binder Clips (keep drapes closed) *
Howard Leight MAX Earplugs (lots) #
50 ft. Parachute Cord *

Food & Water:

Water (purchased at airport and local upon arrival)
Various LaraBars and "Granola" Bars #
3 x Starkist Lemon Pepper Tuna (retort packaged) & Primus Folding Spoon/Fork (NOT a spork!) #
Jerky or similar

Environmental Protection:

Emergency Poncho
Compact Umbrella
6 x Sperian Fold Flat N95 Masks w/ Exhalation Valve #
6 pair Nitrile gloves (vacuum packed)#
1pr. Nylon Work Gloves with Coated Palms/Fingers, vacuum packed *
30 x Chlorine Dioxide water purification tablets

First Aid:

LOTS! #
Assortment of OTC and prescription meds to cover typical on-the-road maladies
Personal Meds (adequate for 1 week beyond planned trip length) w/ copies of current prescriptions

Misc:

Emergency Cash, Spare Credit Card, Prepaid Phone Card (well hidden)
Spare Drivers License (just report lost/stolen and get a replacement, keep old one - AZ are good for damn near forever, YMMV)
ACR ResQLink PLB
Lightweight Backpack (folds into its own pocket), vacuum packed

my read on TSA allowed (carry on) for sharp pointy scissors with under a 4" blade would be something like these WISS 175E electrician's scissors...I did cut a copper penny in half with them...

i've only ever had one problem on business travel. however - it was a big problem when it happened. i left home with a cold ... and it was getting worse. in the middle of the night in my hotel room - I could hardly breathe. that's the only time when I've had my lungs filled with so much fluid that I really couldn't get enough oxygen. i called the front desk ... but for "legal reasons" they could not give me any cold meds. Ridiculous.

Make sure you have your normal meds ... plus a few extra meds in case you come down with a very bad cold.

Pete2

Arney made a great suggestion in Chaosmagnet's Commuter Kit thread: some sort of padding to sit on. If you get stuck inpn an airport overnight it could make things a bit more comfortable.

I see what you did there!



Smooth move, great idea; gotta do that.

Loved all your replies. You're giving me some great ideas, especially the EMT shears. I did a quick inventory of what I brought with me and realized I was more prepared than I initially thought. Most of what I list here comes from ideas I've slowly been incorporating while lurking here in the past, so you can consider yourselves great teachers.  

What I have on me:
In pockets: Fenix E05, Fox 40 whistle, Leatherman Micra (moved from checked luggage), wallet, room key.

In bookbag: a water bottle, lumbar pillow, lightweight sweatshirt, granola bar and sunflower seeds, notepad, conference handouts, Galaxy Note Tab, power cords for tablet and phone (Motorola Droid Razr), Eneloop battery charger for charging my phone if I can't find a plug, compact umbrella, bandana, Buff, writing utensils, comb, prescription medication, very small FAK.  

For this conference I could get away with wearing business casual slacks and I just bought new Doc Martins. More practical for evacuating than heels and a skirt. (And more my style.) Just wish I'd had time to break in my shoes beforehand.

What I wish I had in my bookbag right now:
Heavier sweatshirt/sweater
Favorite multitool (Leatherman Wave)
Extra pair of contacts or my glasses
Extra pair Thorlos hiking socks
Poncho or garbage bag  

I know there are other things to consider and I'll be rethinking how I pack and making some changes based on your suggestions for my next conference. I'm very glad the toxic train derailment didn't force me to learn the hard way, but it sure got me thinking about other possibilities. Will be looking at more preparation for next time in regards to learning about the geography and climate of my destination, including locations of important buildings.

  Thanks!

Medical- first aid kit, identification
Shelter- rain gear
Fire- lighter, matches
Hydration- bottle of water, straw, water treatment method
Communication- cell phone, whistle, pencil/paper
Navigation- compass, gps (smart phone), headlamp
Nutrition- extra food
Insulation- jacket, hat, leather gloves
Sun Protection- use clothing to cover up
Tools- swiss army knife, p38, money, walking shoes

I like 3-4 ways to keep my phone charged.

Speaking of keeping your phone charged and multi-use devices, I've carried one of these 12v batteries for years. Add the cigarette lighter plug charger of your choice and you can charge anything you want. Many times.

Its sealed lead acid which is specifically authorized for carry-on in the TSA rules. Getting to the multi-use facet, its quite heavy for its size and has a nice long shoulder carry strap.

Plan ahead if you intend to carry it on as almost every TSA agent feels compelled to swipe this thing and run it though their fancy explosives detector, but it passes every time.

I like to think of these things in terms of categories, before the specific gear. This is a great breakdown of categories of equipment to consider. For the stuck in an airport/train station/hotel scenario, I'd add the categories of Light and Hygiene, probably at a higher priority than fire. Comfort might also be a category to consider. (i.e. pillow, ear plugs, etc.)

On the subject of Navigation, having contact info and maps for the local area you'll be traveling to is a good idea. Which reminds me - cash is king. Shelter, food, navigation, water, communications.... they can all be enhanced by cash most of time.

I also always try to have an extra change of climate appropriate clothes.

I really like Doug's list. I already carry small duct tape that can be sourced at almost any camping/outdoor store. But I never see gaffers tape or fiberglass strapping tape in small sizes. Anyone know a source for such things, or is Doug "rolling his own"?

Rolling my own. Just use a "card key" from any hotel, or defunct credit card, and wrap around it. Works great. Then I seal it in plastic. (DO NOT vacuum pack it, that can suck the adhesive out, which is not optimal...)

Perfect, compact, and cheap. Thank you Doug.

Doug Ritter...you mentioned the Sidewinder...how does it hold up?..... is there an all metal version, especially the crank arm?

I have used it in testing and it worked okay. I was careful not to abuse it. Biggest issue is that after a short while your hands cramp up! Far as I know, there's no heavier duty option that size or close. Other options are all too big, IMHO. The new Eton BoostTurbine 2000 http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=1869045 looks promising, not too big, battery for an initial charge and storage, but isn't yet available to test. I have asked for a sample when they start shipping, but...

The Eaton Boost Turbine 2000 definitely looks promising. I will look forward to your review. I checked the specs and looks like a 1 amp output at 5 volts which should make most smartphones happy, but would not get into the tablet range.