Packing Tips: How to Assemble a Travel Emergency Kit, AKA “Box of Awesome”

Do you carry an emergency kit when you travel? Tour guide Sarah Murdoch shares what goes into her “Box of Awesome” that has helped travelers on her tours for two decades.
Please comment with your favorite items!
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Sarah Murdoch is a tour guide, travel writer, and tour operator covering the globe, specializing in Italy. She worked for more than 20 years for Rick Steves as a tour guide and travel journalist, and co-authored the Rick Steves Sicily book. These days, Sarah is the Founder of Guide Collective (guide-collective.com), and runs Adventures with Sarah, a travel company offering tours around the world.
You can find information on packing, travel tips, and how to travel with Sarah on her website, Linktr.ee/adventures_with_Sarah
Enjoy these videos? Support Sarah's work and have access to special events, giveaways, and discounts by joining her Patreon, patreon.com/adventureswithsarah.
Thanks for watching, stay curious and keep exploring.
Andiamo!
Sarah
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[@k-chan766]

Thank you, some cool ideas there! My suggestion is to tape a piece of magnetic adhesive inside the lid, and you can keep your pin/needle/sim tool etc secure and easy to find.

[@scoutyd1885]

I made a BoA after watching this video a few months back, and made another more comprehensive one for the car/go-bag with sutures, antidiarrheal meds, AdvilPM (to help re-set sleep schedule upon arrival to new time zone), and Alka Seltzer. When it's a car trip I add a new razor blade (with the paper wrap), lighter, candle, twine and such. My BoA resides in my tech pouch. I follow another traveler who also travels light, and now I have a system of 4 pouches: Tech & BoA; Wet toiletries; Dry Toiletries and a Makeup & Hair bag. The best thing is, I know where my stuff is when I need it. I have watched some of your other packing videos and Sarah, you are the packing Queen. You are practical, stylish and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing.

[@kkbrew1854]

FINALLY, a travel channel with actually helpful ideas!!!! Thanks!

[@ashlyeg5034]

I have my travel BoA, but I ALWAYS make sure my daughter has her own BoA for violin performances and competition trips: safety pins, clear duct tape wrapped around a thin piece of cardboard, paper clip for fixing a zipper, tiny tweezers (tweezerman brand), mini sewing kit, dental floss, clear hair ties, bandaids, tiny binder clip, small amount of clothing tape wrapped around a piece of cardboard, and a few pieces of stitch witchery (iron-on tape) for emergency gem repairs. This stays either in her violin case, suitcase, or garment bag. If you are a woman, traveling with dressy clothing, I highly recommend making a dedicated BoA. AND… a foam earplug fits beautifully in a hotel room door’s peephole (we’ve also used a strip of post-it note). ❤👍🏻

[@lisastewart-hartsock661]

I Love this idea!!!! I always have a lil of everything and YES, in case of emergency, use it. Well I’ve used it. I am the one you want on a desert island. No joke.

[@marlavm]

I NEVER travel without a few each of Immodium / Advil or Tylenol (fever reducer) / Benadryl. Those three can so often alleviate a 2am emergency room visit. Bandaids that already have Neosporin on them are great too. I need to get some of that dental adhesive for crowns! Thanks for your great videos.

[@RainShineFilms]

I augmented my BOA kit with input from your previous video. I may have commented there too. In daily life, I’ve carried a little Swiss Army knife, bandana, and spork or chopsticks since high school (35+ yrs). For travel - In my current BOA, I use a clear pouch with a zipper that’s half size of the Tom Bihn toiletry bag. Typically I also pack 2 rubber bands (open jars, contain items such as bakery bag w half eaten butter 🥨), Swiss Army knife’s tweezers & toothpick, a few dog poo bags, mini sharpie pen, business card size magnifier, mini locking carabiner, hard candy (for low sugar), expandable fiber towel (size of thick sliced cuke), ginger candy (motion sickness), laundry detergent sheets, foam earplugs, waterproof post-its, & $50 bill. I keep mini nail clippers and eye glasses cleaner packets too. I always keep Benadryl in my purse - daily. Hmmm now I’m seeing how long my list is🙃 Yikes!!! Maybe I should weigh the contents, as I do everything else😆

[@GwenGreenberg]

I like to keep small zip ties of various colors with me. I often use it to lock the zipper on my bag when i am out of the hotel. It gives me a little extra security in case hotel staff is tempted to check inside.

[@amandagunnarson813]

I created a bigger version for traveling with a toddler. It has outlet covers, a thing that holds cabinet doors closed, a drain stopper, extra sound machine, Velcro cord stripes and an simple baby monitor. It all stays in his suitcase, we always have those things if we need them. I have used most of the items, got the idea from your box of awesome.

[@alisonshanahan9529]

Put an elastic band around the green tin, keeps it closed. As a poor traveller (ear problems), I always take ginger tablets (organic). Thank you very much for all the tips 😀.

[@carolinagirl3110]

Great tips!….Thanks for sharing!

[@Brandon-0028]

I've really enjoyed assembling my own kit for our family when we travel. I purchased some very thin credit card aluminum cards which I wrap some with Gaffers tape ro cover annoying blinks lights in the places we stay as it leaves no residue, and Kevlar miceo cordage to replace my son's shoe laces on the go. Though I always have a full first aid kit. I like to arrange my kits in ultra light dyneema micro pouches which all go into a slightly larger waterproof pouch. They range from medicines and cough drops and ginger chews to sachets of tea ro sooth tummies and some of the items you have here among other things! Waving hello to you in my old home of Seattle from Portland!

[@jenniferhuedepohl5451]

Great reminder to refill my box! I’ve been carrying one since viewing your first Box of Awesome video and it has been indispensable. I even have a modified version that I keep in a tiny pouch in my purse for everyday. I have found the tiny tubes of glue-and many other items for my kit-at Dollar stores. I think the only thing I think you could add are Shout wipes for stains. Haven’t found anything they won’t clean up (yet). And they don’t take up as much space as the Tide pen.

[@LunarEclipse-xv8jx]

I have made a smaller version of this using tiny zip lock pill bags. I keep a couple of alcohol swabs, bandages, pepto chewables, ibuprofen, Benadryl. This bag lives in my bag I carry every day.

[@NothingToNoOneInParticular]

When getting the crown repair from your Dentist,see if they have a little bobbin of floss. Great box of Awesome.A fresnel lens for seeing the splinters to get out.

[@christineshields1714]

In the past I've purchased individual tubes at the Dollar Tree. A clothespin is a good idea as well. My husband tends to get occasional splits on his earlobe that bleed profusely. I use the clothespin and tissue to clamp it until it stops bleeding then seal split with super glue. I don't recommend this for large, deep wounds but it word great for small cuts. Also, in a pinch a tampon can be inserted in the nostril to stop a nosebleed.

[@seastarbutterfly]

A binder clip comes on every trip! small but very effective and helpful.

[@pamsheets2939]

Dollar Tree has a ton of travel size items to rock in the box of awesome! They have tiny vials of eyedrops that I have 1 or 2 in my version; the little pot of dental filling paste & multi-pak of tiny super glue are at DT too 👍🏼

[@shelly-annwatson8133]

I use a 4"x5" mesh pouch I got from a pack on Amazon. It packs really flat and it's lighter than the boxes.

[@debrasams2362]

Thanks. I also carry a little kit. You never know what you might need.

[@jessiehawks3555]

Dollar tree carries mini nail files I've even seen the tiny tweezers

[@user-bp8sq7lr2t]

I wrap a longer piece of dental floss around a flat embroidery thread spindle, which has a small cut in it to trap the loose end.

[@lynneeie5226]

I started carrying this box in my purse and pulled something out, impressed my Norwegian husband, but "McGyver eske" was the closest I came to Box of Awesome in Norwegian 😂.

[@loridoyle3591]

This was such a help. I’m going to assemble one for myself and one for my son, who does a lot of travel!

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I wear down a lot. How have I never heard of Tenacious Tape? Thanks for all these great ideas!

[@cindacarlson9897]

I love this idea!

[@MrShanebizzle]

Great suggestions! Thanks!

[@mrswilliamstoyou3325]

You have GOT to have a small nail clipper. I cannot go anywhere without my nail clippers. I use them so much that I keep them in my car, in my purse, in my go bag, in my own lil "box of awesome."

[@habituallinestepper8839]

This is awesome. Great ideas thank you

[@paddlegal3097]

You are my travel geru!❤

[@Fledglingcrafter987]

I made one of these after your last video and it has been indispensable! Thank you for the update. I have been able to fit a small tide pen in, but it does take room. I do recommend a small set of nail clippers and an earring back. Safe travels!

[@colleenmarin8907]

This can double for everyday carry (EDC) purposes as well - great examples!

[@lori2169]

I would recommend putting like things together in tiny bags, i.e. paper clip, super glue, binder clip, etc. That way it would be easier to find things.

[@chalchaneldmaking]

Waooo amazing is beautiful my friend

[@gailcostantini2894]

Diphenhydramine is Benadryl

[@lisastewart-hartsock661]

Wouldn’t you like the Tide pen?? I’ve used it many times.

[@sarahschrock3511]

My dentist offers credit card sized dental floss containers as a sort of business card. I always grab a couple. They are super handy.

[@comics360]

Is it a good idea to carry medications without labels or wrappers? When I went to Dubai, the stopped me getting off the plane because I had diabetes medication in a bag and insulin syringes…

[@lisasilverman6038]

This is so helpful. Anyway to make a list of everything, so we can access quickly ?

[@SarahMurdochadventures]

Yes! I’ll take any extra suggestions and compile them into a blog later this week

[@JennCampbell]

Put hair ties around the box. The indents on the sides should help them stay in place well. 😊

[@lisamarinelli6263]

Zip ties

[@lonelobohikes]

Benadryl is also dyphenhydromine

[@paolaandreu4191]

Can you share a full list in your blog?

[@lorideming7237]

I wear contacts so I like to bring those individual eye drops that you can break apart.

[@soniaschweis542]

Great clip. Can you please send me the links video you made please

[@esbs3268]

Don’t the creams have to go into your TDSA liquids bag? I have always found that to be annoying. I like to put things into various small pouches according to category. But, then I have to take out all of the liquids to put them into the TSA liquids bag.

[@hkmatsumoto6870]

Sarah, do you have links to these products or an affiliate with Amazon link? I would like to purchase some of the items and get exactly what you show in this video. I have purchased products from Amazon, which were identical looking (packaging, wording, color but Not the correct product and didn’t function/work). Particularly interested in the dental filling “Temparin” (sp?). Also would be good if you got credit for purchasing from Amazon. Thank you. Your “box of awesome”. Is AWESOME

[@SarahMurdochadventures]

www.amazon.com/shop/sarahmurdoch?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_aipsfsarahmurdoch_77XJ87QRB6A7ZXB3VKW2

[@annkan526]

Safety pin

[@lindapindabelinda3570]

Please note that any loose pills can be a significant issue if you are officially searched

[@wavamy]

OK. Challenge accepted! I created an emergency box which I called my box of awesome for a 3+ week epic cruise and trip to Europe. We ended up using a number of things in it and thanks for the great ideas! I have all of my items broken down and flattened and am amazed at how much I can fit in a small zippered clear pouch about the size of my hand. I knew it was a success when the first question from family was, "is there something/ do you have ___ in the box of awesome? Here is my list of stuff I crammed in: bandaids, alcohol wipes, saniwipes, cough drops, glasses repair kit tweezers, safety pins, hair ties, rubber bands, bobby pins, aleve/Naprosyn, excedrine, immodium, benedryl, Coricidin HBP, liquid IV powder, protein bar, fixodent, dental repair kit, eyedrops, tactical hair clip, off! Wipes, screenwipe, pen, duct tape, ear plugs, sewing kit with scissors, sunscreen, n95 mask, sim card tool, tampon, magnifying glass (like a credit card size) tiny flashlight. I found that I took some of it out rather than carry it around. Work in progress and thanks for the ideas!!

[@SarahMurdochadventures]

That sounds awesome! It always feels good to be prepared.

[@heatherkembel1190]

I have also heard that tampons are great to staunch the bleeding from a bullet hole.

[@RainShineFilms]

Wilderness emergency training recommends tampons to apply to large wounds /deep gashes, and contain blood.

[@marilynm5024]

You can use a hair tie or rubber band to keep that case closed