This season, long-distance trip or travel is routine, and even though the world hasn’t returned to normal, the economy has reopened in most areas. Some countries are continuing to lockdown due to new variants, while a few are turning into police states despite what true science indicates about the virus and its variations.
Despite the growing number of non-vaccinated people, many areas are now inaccessible to them. Restrictions and laws are making it difficult or even impossible for unvaccinated individuals to visit certain locations, but travel and vacations are once again becoming popular.
How can you be ready on the road with this trip? How do long-distance travel and prepping work together? Let’s have a look…
What’s achievable vs. What’s feasible?
I’ve been advising that we stay as close to our roots and resources as possible until things calm down. If we think rationally and analyze the situation objectively, this might still take a long time. Everything is both volatile and unstable enough to necessitate caution and conservation. Patience and attention are required; we must preserve our resources.
However, I accept that for many of us, staying grounded is not realistic or even feasible. Some individuals must travel long distances for work, treatment, to see and help friends and relatives, or even to clean up mentally. For those who feel that way, it’s also acceptable. Who are we to say? Some people prefer long-distance trips.
Time still goes on.
Finally, life continues. It’s critical to keep investing in staying prepared, but it’s also vital to attempt and lead a normal life as much as possible. If things relax a bit, that’s great. If the situation deteriorates rapidly, we must be prepared. It is important to alter the sails if necessary. This up-and-down pattern of close and open may continue for some time. So why not make the most of each moment while we have it?
We are always prepared.
Whatever the case, being prepared when we’re away from home is usually a good idea and a sound strategy. Prepping is more than just a state of mind; it’s a way of thinking.
We know how important it is to have a few preps in place if we want to increase our chances of escaping Dodge when we realize that it might go wrong at any time (on a personal, local, or international level) and from anyplace.
If you’re traveling by automobile, you may bring a lot more emergency supplies on your long-distance trip. Because of the many constraints and guidelines that are imposed on air travel, mainly personal safety items (knives, guns, pepper spray, etc.) are not permitted to be carried aboard airplanes.
Consider the local laws.
This is particularly crucial in the case of weapons and other self-defense goods such as knives, batons, pepper spray, or tasers. Many locations have strict limitations on guns. Carrying a concealed weapon may be difficult or even impossible in some situations. Getting discovered with your pistol hand might result in being incarcerated or deported. A small mini-SHTF can ensue if you are caught red-handed, and you could even be imprisoned or deported as a result of it.
The best strategy is to stay on the lookout, which we should follow at home as well: be vigilant. Avoiding problems is still the greatest option, especially so when we’re in a foreign country and cut off from our resources during your long-distance trip.
Many countries prohibit food items, particularly seeds and plants, in their country. If you want to bring anything with you, be sure to check for these rules.
Knowledge is a powerful tool.
If you’re traveling to a new country, get informed about the situation there. Do some research and find out how safe or dangerous a country is (or is). Read up on the crime rate of the nation(s), state(s) and town(s). Take some notes on things that you believe are important or anything you might need in an emergency (such as police stations, hospitals, and so on).
During a holiday or long-distance trip, most travelers like to conduct research and take notes on attractions, restaurants, and other locations they want to visit. Of course, if you’re visiting Rome, you’d want to see the Colosseum, the Vatican City State. But preppers go one step further by researching additional vital information. So please do yourself a favor and explore everything that might be essential before going.
Do a Google Maps search for crucial installations near your hotel or destination. Look for police stations, hospitals, and other important locations such as prisons, diplomatic and foreign affairs offices, and others.
Also, make a note of your country’s embassy or consulate in the cities and regions you’ll be staying/visiting. Keep a list of everything you need to do online and any crucial information so that if you can’t get on the internet, you’ll have alternatives.
Keep a long-distance trip travel kit on hand.
I have a small travel kit that’s essentially an EDC with a few upgrades (Everyday Carry). It’s still tiny, simple, and handy enough. Even before the epidemic, this has helped me many times while traveling. We can never anticipate when a storm will strike, the lights will go out, or we’ll lose our luggage. For whatever reason, we may get separated from our hotel or residence.
As a method to have these items with me all the time, I try to keep them basic, small, and lightweight. Even when I’m walking about at some beach or sightseeing spot, my EDC is simply sitting in my pack along with extra clothes, a rain jacket, and my wallet.
Flashlight
This is one of the most essential (and most utilized) items in my kit. We can’t do much when it’s dark. I always have a tiny, powerful and rechargeable LED flashlight with me. A headlight, as well as a couple of chemical light batons, are available depending on the occasion. However, in most cases, a small flashlight is sufficient for long-distance trips.
Water filter
While I can’t say that having my Sawyer kit and a Lifestraw has kept me alive on camping excursions, they’ve certainly come in handy more often than not. During my street training exercises and outdoor adventures, I’m accustomed to less-than-ideal water. However, there’s a limit to this, of course, and when I’m geographically separated from home, I become more cautious for obvious reasons.
Emergency blanket
This is a versatile gadget that has several applications in a tiny, lightweight device. It can be used in cold, heat, and all sorts of conditions.
Folding knife
A good quality Swiss Army or tactical folding knife has so many applications and possibilities during a long-distance trip, especially if it contains a few tools like flat and Philips screwdrivers, bottle and can openers, glass breakers, a file, etc. If you’re going by air, be sure to include it in your luggage. It’s acceptable to bring it with you if you travel by train, bus or automobile. I do most of the time.
Connection kit
Here are a few of the cables and connectors you’ll need (USB, USB-C, micro USB, etc.) as well as wall chargers that work with your devices. Check and double-check everything before use.
Medical kit
If you suffer from any illness, you understand that this is a must-have, so keep your medications (and some extras) on hand just in case. I usually take a little travel pack on long-distance trips containing several pain and sinus medications, various bandages in different sizes, a few cleaning swabs, and a few gauzes.
Also, don’t forget your lip balm and a tiny container of Vaseline (which has a thousand applications – from moisturizer to rash treatment and even fire starting). I also bring a tiny soap bar with me because it’s useful for cleaning cuts and bruises, as well as taking an emergency shower if my convenience kit is lost for any reason.
Sun and insect protection
It can be hellish to suffer from sunburns or insect bites. This is only a bother in normal situations and most tourist locations. It may make us ill or at the very least extremely uncomfortable after a storm, landslide, or another calamity has passed. Get some ointment for stings or bites as well since no matter what, some bugs will not leave you alone.
Solar kit
I always carry my tiny 25W solar panel with two USB ports around for long-distance trips. It has saved me numerous times on vacation trips while I’m away from home. Also, my 20.000mAh battery bank, which includes a small LED light (very useful).
Firestarter kit
My EDC fire-making kit consists of a small torch lighter and an ordinary lighter, which is all I need. Take some stormproof matches and a flint if you want to be completely prepared (or anticipate a more serious emergency). Just remember that you must know how to use them.
Money
Cash may get us out of a bind, regardless of the circumstance. It’s impossible to be prepared for every contingency with gear or goods. Carrying a complete bug-out or emergency bag on every journey, holiday, and non is just not practical or feasible. Cash is the most adaptable prepping resource. Always keep some cash, cryptocurrency, and silver on hand.
Documents
I’ve got a color copy of my paperwork in an airtight sealed envelope. I also have a password-protected pen drive with images, as well as a password-protected file application on my smartphone.
long-distance trip travel kit Extras
I have a pair of reading glasses and impact-resistant sunglasses to protect my eyes from the sun. Some rope may also be quite useful. Not just for survival, but also for making a clothesline, wrapping, or anything else. Paracord is a popular option; however, there’s no need to be tactical here, so whatever works is fine.
A lightweight rain poncho may also be utilized for a variety of applications (packing, tarp, ground liner, etc.) during various scenarios. I keep a few packs of Ready Hour’s Case pack foods with me everywhere I go, just in case.
Long-distance trip travel Gear VS carried gear
Yes, things are pretty nuts right now, so if there ever was a time to take extra precautions for yourself and your family, maybe it’s not too late to consider some of the more “extreme” preps. Again, this is a rather personal decision.
If you want to go prepared, for whatever reason (use your discretion – if you have children or elders with you, for example), it’s a good idea to include a few alternatives. A compact stove (spirit or solid fuel), gummy bears, multivitamins — these are all optional items that you might want to think about if you’re traveling with others who need to be prepped for.
And don’t forget to have a good time while you’re there. Live in the moment while keeping your situational awareness and appropriate level of preparedness high.
Have a nice trip, everyone!
