Are You Prepared for Emergencies When Traveling and Photographing?

S-Curves; Yellowstone National Park, USA

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When I go out wandering or traveling, either alone or with other photographers, I take what I think are some essential items for photographic, weather, and or personal emergencies.  I like to be well prepared for something unanticipated that may occur.  You may think I am overly cautious, but in my years of experience, I have witnessed or read about many photographers who have not been prepared and paid the consequences.  I rather be over prepared than not prepared when an emergency strikes.

I have compiled a list of things that I suggest you should consider having with you when a) you are out with your camera bag walking around and can't easily get back to your vehicle or a town and b) other things that you may want to keep in your vehicle.

To Carry in the Field With You

I will assume that in your camera bag you have at least one lens cleaning cloth, extra CF and SD cards, spare camera batteries, a cloth to dry or wipe gear and an air blower (I use the small Rocket brand).

You may want to also consider taking all or some of the following.  They really don't take up much room and, if you need one of the items, you will be thankful you have it. 

1) Small, waterproof box or a zippered waterproof nylon case in which to keep everything

2) Business cards (can be used for white balance also)
3) Very small digital gray card (Whi Bal brand has small ones)
4) Rubber bands, different size and thicknesses (get some nice strong, thick ones that wrap broccoli or asparagus stalks at the market); good for getting stuck filters off your lens also
5) Very small screwdriver set for glasses or screws on gear; have both flat blade and Phillips head
6) A few different sized coins to act like a plain, larger screwdriver (works well with attachments that use your camera’s tripod socket) as well as if you need coinage
7) Tylenol®, ibuprofen or NSAID painkillers (if you have allergies, maybe an antihistamine also)
8) LED flashlight (check batteries or take extras before leaving on your journey)
9) Long twist ties
10) Band Aids®
11) A moistened Lens Cleaning Pad or two (I use Zeiss)
12) Survival blanket (silver- works as a reflector as well as for warmth and keeping you dry
13) Victorinox Swiss Card  (scissors, small blade, lamp, magnifying glass, pliers, small pen, screwdrivers  (or a multi-tool from Gerber/Leatherman, etc. but the knife may not meet your state’s law for concealed weapon, so do some research) and/or a small Swiss Army Knife with screwdriver, blade, scissors, tweezers and toothpick
14) Cheap plastic poncho (a large one can double as an emergency shelter from bad weather)
15) Waterproof matches
16) Insect repellent and sunscreen
17) Compass (GPS if you have lots of money!)
18) Extra cash in the form of paper money for emergencies
19) Pocket notebook and mechanical pencil
20) Some sort of power bar or other food to give you some energy, protein and complex carbs
21) Water; amount depends upon how far and how long you are going

In Your Vehicle

Here are additional items you may want to keep in your vehicle for the times you return to it or at the end of the day.

1) Power inverter for use in your car/truck (nice to have AC to charge batteries (cell phone, tablet, MP3 player, camera, etc.) in an emergency;  (I have needed to do this several times now)

2) Extra camera strap
3) Sensor cleaning kit
4) More cloths for wiping or cleaning gear
5) Monopod (Again, I assume you have your tripod with you)
6) Battery chargers for all gear that use batteries
7) Partial roll of toilet paper (funny? Not!—this can make a HUGE difference to you!)
8) Extra hat--waterproof
9) Battery powered hand held radio--with weather band and alerts!
10) Gloves
11) Food
12) More water

I bet you can think of additional items I may have forgotten.  Please tell me in the comments section or email me at dennismook [at] gee mail  daht calm, so we can pass them on to others.

My thanks to my friend George Gotschalk for his input in creating this post.

UPDATE:  a viewer suggested also bringing some triple anti-biotic ointment.  Great idea!  Thank you.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook


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