Most problems are delays. Train is late, show is late getting started, having to overnight at the office. So much of my 'gear' is comfort items, rather than strictly survival.

Snacks, water bottle jacket, headache meds, phone charger, clean work shirt.

Most things? I can wait it out.




YMMV

Comfort leads to better rest and improved mental state. It's worth investing in.

As a parent, comfort and wait it out items, are high on the priority list. Amusing kids is tough on a good day, never mind when in a situation where the stress level are high, and the environment potentially unfamiliar.

We spent a few days at a rented cottage with my inlaws last week, and it was a like the preview of a bug-out horror movie. LOL! It's encouraged me to make a few changes in our family bug-out plans and equipment.

Teddy bear, picture of my "internet girlfriend," chocolate, & facial wipes (a surprising morale boost when you can refresh yourself).

Recently put together a 7-day SIP "kit" for an urban family with option to move out if needed. They thought my questions and solutions (including a LOT of batteries and alternate charging solutions) regarding kids activities were a bit overdone until they got stuck on vacation and ran out of power for the kids' gaming devices. No more issues there. :-)

I've posted this elsewhere, but after the 3 hurricanes in a month during 2004, I did a debrief of my students (high school)... most had been without power and hot water for at least 7 days... right after the lack of hot water and a shower, the need to recharge electronics was their top priority, additionally the lack of cell phone coverage at about day 5 due to the loss of service by several providers (a lot of families did not have a traditional land line phone)...that is when I decided to convert to standardized batteries and appliances... then to rechargeable Sanyo Eneloops ...the 12v cigarette sockets and cables inclusion with my hurricane supplies was an outcome

The thing I find more and more problematic is BATTERY POWER.

When I'm stuck at an airport, I have found that the simple extension cord I bring is a must-carry.

D'oh!! Great idea, I'm going to add one to the family bugout bag right now.
-Blast

And: if you add one of those "triple tap" adapters that plug directly into an outlet and turn it into three, you'll be an instant hero to all the other folks who are also vying for a charge. Electronics don't draw a lot of juice compared to motors/heaters, so it's quite safe.

Two thoughts on comfort items while being delayed:

1. Bring something to do that you wanted to do anyway. This is a psychological head-space to go to, and it flips dead time into non-wasted time. Dip into that book, even if it's only on your phone. Or, for me, rough out a story (I've been tapping out some kids' stories lately, and kids actually seem to like them.)

2. Bring as much hand sanitizer as you can get away with. With wet wipes, rough paper towels, TP, you can really freshen yourself up and feel a little more human. It's the ultimate multipurpose "instant shower." Some people don't like the glycerin residue but note that it's water soluble. You can even use the stuff on your hair. I make full use of this when camping rough for a couple of days and then popping into a nice little restaurant or meeting friends enroute.

At least some brands of sanitizer (Purell is 62% ethanol) also work as stove fuel or fire starter/enhancer.

I went for months in Afghanistan using baby wipes and water bottles for bathing. We did get some strange looks from locals at times. For the water bottles, half cold water and half heated water, and be careful not to use it up too quickly or you will be standing in the snow half covered in soap!

I actually used to carry one of these:



But I found - repeatedly - that I'd run into outlets like this:


At airports and outlets like this at client locations:



And the right angle plug would be problematic.

So then I started carrying this:



But the 8' length was too much so I cut it to 4' and put this male plug on the cord:



(Yes, I cut the ground off - I know, I know, shocking)

It's great BUT now I'm looking at this gadget:


And I figure with one of these and that, I'm in great shape:
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-6991-Liberator-Extension/dp/B001GLWL0O/ref=pd_sim_hi_5

Except if you travel to Europe (as is most of my travel). Then you might need more adaptors, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Conair-M-50...+power+adaptors

Nicely, all of the chargers for my devices (phone, tablet, e-reader, laptop) will handle the 220 50 cycle European standard; you just need to be able to get it to plug in. . .

I carry the Belkin and a simple extension cord.

I have the Belkin unit at home primarily for the USB ports. Very handy.

I find a computer bag with a few bits and things makes my day much more comfortable, especially when traveling. The will always be delays, mistakes, lost luggage and changes; its how you deal with them...

The "comfort" items I carry are a small toothbrush & paste, floss, face wipes, lotion, hand sanitizer, emery board etc. I agree that a little hygiene freshen up can go a long ways if you're stuck or just traveling a long while.

I also carry a phone charger and small extension cord as well. Now that we're digital and rely upon phones and computers it really makes sense.

I added a cell phone external battery - thanks

tro