Urban Survival Bag: Things I Carry Around the City

You've Got it in the Bag - or at Least You Should

By Bartleby, published Jan 20, 2006
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No, I don’t roam around Milwaukee hoping that Monty Hall will stop and offer $1000 for an unusual item in my bag (though I’d be happy to make such a deal). I do, however, carry what you might call an urban survival bag, a messenger bag full of useful things for the city-roamer. Inspired by memories of the resourceful abyss my mother called a purse and some hard-learned lessons from my own urban experience, I’ve assembled a basic survival bag that everyone who spends time in the city should carry with him or her. It’s not out of classic American fear that I suggest these items; rather, it’s for convenience and comfort. If you, like many urban dwellers, take public transit or walk between your destinations, consider carrying these things with you around the city. The goal is not to tote a fifty-pound knapsack crammed with crap for every imaginable contingency – it’s to carry a basic urban survival bag with just enough resources to make your daily travels comfortable.

First, make sure you have a bag that you dig. Whether it’s a knapsack, messenger bag, or conventional purse, choose something that is sturdy, weather-resistant, and well-appointed with pockets inside and out. The reason I prefer my messenger bag is that it slings easily on and off my shoulder but also has a small handle for hand-toting if desired. Think about your commute or other urban routines, and select a bag that you can envision yourself using on a daily basis. Questions to ask yourself:

- Can I easily access the bag while it’s “on” me?
- How easily can I take it on and off?
- Do I hate the sound of velcro?
- Will I annoy others with loud, obnoxious velcro?
- What kinds of compartments does it have?
- Can it handle getting wet?
- Are the shoulder straps comfortable / adjustable?
- Is the bag ugly?
- Is it big enough / small enough?
- What is the padding situation like?
- Overall, wow well-constructed is the bag?
- What will it look like when it’s dusty or dirty? (Light-colored bags can get pretty nasty!)
- Is it my style?

 
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Urban Survival Bag: Things I Carry Around the City

Zippers are better than velcro if you hate that scratchy sound like I do.

Credit: Ana Labate

Copyright: www.sxc.hu

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Takeaways
  • Select a bag that fits your needs and style.
  • Think multi-purpose convenience.
  • Don't tote everything -- just make sure you have enough to be comfortable.
Did You Know?
Completed retail punch cards are great items for the persistent panhandler.
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ho yea! MOTHERFUCKERS muslims don´t have swiss knifes yet they survive Suckers America is doomed and theres no way to run

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Posted on 06/07/2008 at 5:06:23 PM

 
Hey, if anyone has some time to kill, here's sort of a funny take on urban survival: http://www.voont.com/survival4 For a riot: "When in doubt, join in. If you find yourself being eyed suspiciously by a group of rioters, don't be afraid to damage some property. Little things like kicking in the front door of an ethnic bakery or heaving a heavy mailbox through the windshield of a parked car are usually enough make rioters think you're on their side."

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 2:05:04 PM

 
You limit random acts of kindness to liberals? That kind of attitude ensures that we are going to need much hardier survival skills.

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Posted on 05/02/2008 at 6:05:02 AM

 
Bob is a great commando name. Bob will have chapped lips and be crouching in an alley with a knife and some sticks trying to start a fire while dreaming of snaring some pidgeons to roast on it. All joking asside, most urban survival situations could greatly benefit from a multi-tool and roll of duct or gaffer tape. The urban environment is full of resources if need be. Real emergencies in urban environments call for things like compact water filters and bottles, some sort of medical kit, cell phones and radios with charged batteries and a light source that doesn't rely on diposable battery or wall outlet power. Personally, I go for armed and nasty but if you pick up a weapon be it pepper spray, Louisville slugger or firearm, you make yourself a combatant and invite a fight by agression or resistance. Running and staying in groups is still the better plan. If you want to really be prepared for a disaster situation along with your survival essentials stash away alcohol, tabac

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Posted on 10/19/2007 at 5:10:00 PM

 
Bob is a great commando name. Bob will have chapped lips and be crouching in an alley with a knife and some sticks trying to start a fire while dreaming of snaring some pidgeons to roast on it. All joking asside, most urban survival situations could greatly benefit from a multi-tool and roll of duct or gaffer tape. The urban environment is full of resources if need be. Real emergencies in urban environments call for things like compact water filters and bottles, some sort of medical kit, cell phones and radios with charged batteries and a light source that doesn't rely on diposable battery or wall outlet power. Personally, I go for armed and nasty but if you pick up a weapon be it pepper spray, Louisville slugger or firearm, you make yourself a combatant and invite a fight by agression or resistance. Running and staying in groups is still the better plan. If you want to really be prepared for a disaster situation along with your survival essentials stash away alcohol, tabac

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Posted on 10/19/2007 at 5:10:00 PM

 
Carrying a non-lubricated condom is a must. Slip it over your cell phone in the rain for protection. Also makes a great emergency water bottle that will hold more than a gallon. Slip it inside a sock to carry water and it will hold its shape. Tie it in a loop and it's a rubber band.

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Posted on 08/17/2007 at 2:08:00 AM

 
Chap stick works great as a zipper lubricant. It will stop bleeding cuts like a styptic pencil. It will give your shoes a quick shine. You can also write messages on car windows and bathroom mirrors.

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Posted on 08/16/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

 
How about a pint of water and a super bright & tiny led flashlight. I am from India & here power cuts are common. So negotiating the stairs in the inky darkness after returning from work is really amusing- to say the least. The water in the bag will also help.

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Posted on 06/20/2007 at 4:06:00 AM

 
Thans, Brian. I'm actually looking for a list of suggestions to go into the bag I need for providing disaster mental health care, and you've listed some things that I hadn't thought of.

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Posted on 05/02/2007 at 2:05:00 PM

 
hand sanitizerr for those sticky situations

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Posted on 03/23/2007 at 5:03:00 PM

 
Add a small Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, there are a million or more uses for these in the city.

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Posted on 03/18/2007 at 7:03:00 AM

 
You forgot to put a handgun in your bag. It will come in very handy if an urban animal ,of the 2 leg variety, should decide to prey on you. All sorts of uses come to mind: The LA riots, Rape prevention, Stoping Islamic Fanatics that are dead set on killing anyone that does not share their beliefs, protecting your co-workers from disgruntled ex-employees that returned to go postal and many, many other uses. Always remember the United States Supreme court ruled back in 1976 that the police are under no obligation to help you. The police mean well and have the best of intentions but, they can't be everywhere all the time. Much like the fire department they are primarily reactive. It is up to the individual to provide his or her own personal means of self protection. There is no safer way to defend yourself from a viloent assault than with a firearm. A hangun ,like your cars seatbelt and air bags, your smoke detector and fire extinguisher, provides you with insurance you hope you will nev

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Posted on 09/23/2006 at 9:09:00 AM

 
Sorry Brian, didn't mean to offend. Good luck in the city.

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Posted on 06/10/2006 at 6:06:00 AM

 
Well, Tattoo Bob...we're talking about URBAN survival here -- for people who live in CITIES. And it's survival in the loose sense of the term. Don't you get it?

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Posted on 06/08/2006 at 7:06:00 PM

 
What kind of survivalist are you? You couldn't survive anything with this crap. Where's your basics? ie: fire, knife, shelter,food, protection? You can't survive much with Chap-Stik.

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Posted on 06/08/2006 at 6:06:00 PM

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