(SurvivalDaily.com) – Many people in the United States travel the skies for business or recreation. No matter the reason we’re traveling, we can’t take for granted our personal safety or the items that’ll help ensure it. You won’t be able to take a standard bug-out bag (BOB) as carry-on luggage due to the TSA’s rules, so you’ll need to make a survival kit that will.
Most of the items that you would have in a traditional BOB are permitted in checked bags, however, what happens if the plane goes down and you can’t get to your suitcase? What if there is an emergency mid-flight on the plane?
Disclaimer – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations are subject to change at any time, and the final determination if any item can pass through security rests with the TSA officer on duty.
What Can Carry On The Plane?
Here is a list of items that you can pack in a carry on bag:
Flashlight – Useful for signaling help, or seeing in the dark, flashlights are a great addition to any survival kit. Additionally, the lens from the flashlight can be used as a magnification device to assist in fire-making.
Spare batteries – Check your spares to ensure they’re still good often. Try to test your spare batteries every six months and replace them as needed.
Water purification tablets – These take up very little space, and could be the difference between having water or running the risk of dehydration in a survival situation.
Space blankets – Can assist in maintaining body temperature. If you can’t make a fire, space blankets can aid in preventing hypothermia — and they can double as a reflector to signal for help.
An emergency whistle – Another useful signal device that people often overlook. The noise these produce travels long distances, and can help others pinpoint your location.
Water bottles – You can choose stainless steel or plastic, just make sure they’re empty when you go through security. TSA regulations won’t allow you to travel with a carry-on bag containing liquids greater than 3.4 ounces. The plastic option is lighter and easier to carry, but the stainless bottles can boil water. Once you are through security, you can fill these up in the airport.
Snack food – The same rules apply here as would for a standard survival kit — high-protein, high-calorie foods that will keep you going in an emergency.
Lighter – Surprisingly, lighters are on the list of acceptable carry-on items. Having a good firestarter is always a benefit in a survival situation.
Hand sanitizer – So long as it is 3.4 ounces or less, hand sanitizer is a permitted carry-on item.
Medication – This is one item that should go with you everywhere. If you are on prescription medication, you need to have it on hand at all times.
Mirror – Useful in a survival situation to signal for help or even to start a fire.
Multi-tool – So long as it doesn’t have a blade, multi-tools are permitted as a carry on item.
Tarp – One of the most useful tools you can have in a survival kit.
Paracord – TSA approved and useful for a variety of tasks such as shelter creation, tourniquets, and even flossing your teeth.
Bandages – Just in case.
Bandana – Another survival tool with a thousand and one uses.
These items are currently approved by the TSA, but it’s a good idea to check their website before leaving on a trip to ensure they are still okay to travel with. Just because you are traveling, doesn’t mean you should go unprepared.
Do you have any stories about the TSA or airport that you would like to share? Reply to your email and fill us in, we would love to hear from you!
Copyright 2021, SurvivalDaily.com
