So... I just turned my purse into what I like to call a MacGyver bag. I have my wallet with my ID, credit card, etc. in it. Double A batteries. I took an old gift card and wrapped a bunch of duct tape around it to make it portable duct tape, I have a note book, pens/pencil, hand sanitizer, different sized band-aids (*makes note to put the really big ones in there*), polysporin, a Worse Case Scenario book, hair ties, Listerine strips, a pocket knife, a whistle, my phone... and I think that's about it. I've managed to fit it all into this nice little bag that I have that I can carry anywhere.

Am I missing anything? I barely have anymore room, but if it's small, I might could fit it in. Things like aspirin or stuff like that... *makes a note to put aspirin in*

Do y'all have a bag like this? What do you put in your helpful bags? Why? How often do you use those things?

Now I feel like I'm about ready to MacGyver any situation I come across. What about you guys?

You have a lot of stuff I don't have...even still, of course you're missing stuff! You will never have enough...I think what you need to invest in is independence on stuff...(I'm not by any means saying that I've achieved this, but it's a dream of mine) Macgyver often didn't have a Macgyver bag...and there's a different guy, a real person, that doesn't need anything to survive in the wilderness (yes I know you're not exactly talking about that sort of "macgyvering", but the principle stands: ingenuity and other qualities that make you less dependent on stuff is more valuable than having a lot of survival tools).
Um...all that to say...I think you have enough. Confused yet? I 'm not meaning to say you shouldn't have any survival tools, just make sure you don't depend on them too much.
One thing you'd do well to have, a paracord bracelet. There are soo many things you could do with one of these after you unravel it: tie someone up, rappel down a slope, climb up a slope, etc etc etc etc....I could maybe make you one sometime...if you want.

I want one of those... They are very useful.

I need to make one of these... One person in my class and I always bring odd things, because, "You never know..." I'll be thinking on this.

Of course, if you are kidnapped and held for ransom, then they might take the bag away from you. But if it's just an avalanche that kidnaps you, all you have to do is hold on to it.

Haha. Well, of course I know Mac didn't have a MacGyver bag. And I know I shouldn't be too dependent on stuff. But, like the Worse Case Scenario book... it has so much knowledge in it that I wouldn't know... I could probably survive in the wilderness on my own if I had to without anything, but this is just in case. Plus... I'm not a scientist or engineer whatever like Mac was.

Plus, this is also more for just every-day emergencies. Especially with the traveling I do. I found it is especially useful to have a pocket knife on your person. This is just a lot of stuff that's there just in case, and in an organized way.

So, yes, I know I'll probably be always missing things... but that's the nice thing about what I have. A lot of the things could be used as multi-taskers. Duct tape, for instance, can be used for TONS of things... that bracelet sounds very useful, though... How much would it cost to get one?

That's what I'm looking for. Useful multi-taskers or medical supplies or things like that...

And I'm glad this is making others want to create MacGyver bags. Elly wants to make one, too.

A hatchet, if you have it, is a one-source solution. At least if you've read Hatchet.

Duct tape is always good.

When I go mountain climbing, I bring a flashlight, a hundred feet of heavy rope, a towel or two (never know when you'll have to cross an icy river in January up to your neck, like I did), plastic water bottles, crackers or some other light snack, a heavier metal water bottle I'd fill at my favorite spring, a good four inch Gerber folding knife, I'd be wearing waterproof combat boots and cut-off work gloves, and during the cold months I'd make sure to bring the nice huge scarf Noelle made for me, heavier gloves, and a jacket, just in case. Also, maps of the area, my wallet so they could ID my body, and my pocket New Testament.

Climbing after dark, after breaking into a state park, and in the snow, was amazing. x]

In my MacGyver bag, I have:
My wallet (library card [such a necessity ], a few dollars, and enough quarters to use a pay phone at least three times, ID)

My asthma inhaler for emergencies

Memo pad for jotting down phone numbers or whatnot

The Gospel of John in a small size that's about as big as the memo pad

One cosmetic bag that has a pair of mini-scissors, a glue stick, pen, pencil, napkins, post-its, a button (I don't know why I put that in there ), an eraser, paper clips, and bobby pins

One cosmetic bag that has three cough drops, lots of various band-aids, Q-tips, and paperclips

Okay. I think I've made a list of things I'm going to put in my MacGyver bag. (Once I get one of those nice big messenger bags like this).

My wallet (library card, a few dollars, and enough quarters to use a pay phone at least three times, ID)

Mini-flashlight + batteries

My asthma inhaler for emergencies

Memo pad for jotting down phone numbers or whatnot

Pocket-size Gospel of John

Mini-screwdriver

Whistle

Duct tape

Small umbrella

Pocket knife

Well, he didn't call it that. But I remember seeing him with a duffle bag when he knew he'd need it...or something...

I had forgotten about the book, I can see how that would be very useful.
Yeah...what was Macgyver anyway?



I think it's a good idea, though my first post didn't sound like it that much...
I have a pocket knife that I carry. =D



From me? Well...if I had money, I'd do it free, but since I don't, I would want enough money to buy a side-release buckle (if you're interested PM me, I'll look up about how much that costs). I already have the paracord, so that's free. Otherwise I think they are several dollars online. Oh, and I guess I'd have to mail it to you as well, and would want reimbursement for that...so yeah, PM me if you want to figure it out more!



Cool!



Cool! I've been interested in stuff like this ever since I was introduced to above-mentioned survival bracelets...plus I go backpacking every year and so there's a chance I'd need one for that, too. Though I'm not sure I'd go so far as a macgyver bag...

If only I had a mini-gospel... and if only it was small enough to fit into my bag... but mine is a very small bag... But very organized. Maybe when I get a larger bag (but not too large... I don't like big purses...)

Items I was missing and am planning on including:

Flashlight
Butterfly Band-Aids
Chocolate

My phone could double as a flashlight for now... but when I find a nice mini one, that would be good.

Butterfly Band-Aids for major cuts.

Chocolate. Because chocolate is very useful. *nodnod*

Screwdriver should be included in my pocket knife...

Umbrella would also be nice... though it wouldn't fit in my current bag...

Bobby pins and paperclips could be useful... but I'm afraid they would just clutter up my bag. Cough drops and Q tips are good ideas... Not sure if I have space for Q tips, though... and I don't think I would need a glue stick for my personal needs... and post its just won't fit.

Eli, that's awesome. Your MacGyver pack sounds a lot bigger than mine.

Maybe I could fit those extra things I want if I got a bag like this. *nudges Elly*

That raises another question. What is the ideal bag for a MacGyver bag? I personally would want a smaller, easy to carry, very portable bag that I could take nearly anywhere, like my purse. A duffel bag is nice because it's not super bulky, but it is bigger than a purse.

By the way, MacGyver was a character from an old TV show. He had a knack for creating tons of stuff out of duct tape or other stuff just lying around.

I have never heard of a MacGyver bag, but it sounds very...interesting.

That's probably because I made it up. I'm a MacGyver fan. *nodnod*

Who is MacGyver?

Here's the Wikipedia page for the show. I don't think there's anything bad on there, but look at your own risk.

Nemo, I'm always forgetting you're a gal, this is killing me. xD

YES! Chocolate is good! So says Professor Remus Lupin...

Aah ok. Thanks for the link!

OH! Right. I forgot. Elly mentioned money for a pay phone. I must get that change, too... From watching the Incredible Hulk TV show, I know pay phone money is very important. *nodnod*



Hahah. Yes. I am a girl. But I get that.

Chocolate is very good. and is in my pack now. *nodnod*

I hope the link is useful, Elanor!

Oh, I know who he is, as in from the show, I meant I also have no idea what he is in the show.

No! Really?!

OOoh. Right. Got it.

*admires* I like it. Though I think a messenger bag would work better for my needs. But a duffel bag would be really cool!


I have a small purse right now that works. (My dad is constantly amazed at how much stuff I can pack in there... )


Indeed.

Eli...that's just awesome.

Duffel bags are awesome. Especially for layovers and flight delays. They tend to be comfortable.

Wait... breaking into a state park? Never mind. Let's not derail.

Anyone else have input into awesome bags we can use? Or other useful items?

A pocket lighter (like the kind typically sold for cigarettes) is very handy, and probably more durable than the standard cardboard pack of matches. * should get one *

Agreed... you don't really have to worry about it getting damp, it shouldn't get crushed, and you don't have to worry about accidentally striking it as much... *has that on her to-get list*

I wuv duffel bags from the bottom of my heart. They are very comfortable furniture for layovers indeed.

I prefer a backpack.

Backpacks are wonderful things. Comfortable, too. Great pillows on bus and plane rides. A backpack would be good. * nod nod *

I love your sense of finding uses for random objects to aid in sleeping.

Haha. So there! Even the bag is a multi-tasker, which is what this is about. Using items for more than their sole purpose. Being resourceful.

So... what are some of the most resourceful things you can think of that could be used in such a pack?

Rubber bands should be added to your list.

I thought about that, but the hair ties kind of fall into that category, and they're multi-taskers. They can be a hair accessory, or function as a rubber band. My only thought is that they might not be as strong as a rubber band, but I don't know...

Mine isn't a bag so much as a vest. I have a khaki army vest with 37 pockets that I wear hiking. *thinks about what she keeps in there*

Pocket knife, first aid kit, mentos (in case someone is hypoglycemic), bandanas (wrapping wounds and such), flashlight, cellphone, glow sticks, poncho, wet wipes... I can't remember what else... I should find some rations to put in there though.

Dude... that sounds awesome...

It is. I always wear my pith helmet with it.

That's. O.O Amazing. Woooow. *wants a really cool vest* I like vests.

Another item to put in the pack! STRING/ROPE!

Vests are cool. Especially with bowties. And the helmet sounds amazing too... I usually wear an Atlanta Braves or Nike baseball cap though. I do own a WWII helmet...

Don't forget a pen.

I have a very shnazzy pen in my pack.

So... what would make the ideal pack? Best-case-scenario, what would you want the bag to look like (feel free to link to pictures), feel like, etc.? What would be the ideal items? What would be the ideal location to use it in? Etc.

Ooh, one of those long little chain thingies that are like what are sometimes used on little keychains! *is being vague but doesn't know what to do about it* They can be very useful for strangling someone. *nodnod*

I would probably want a backpack that could be easily carried in one hand when I want to, so that if I'm climbing down something or something I can carry it and/or throw it down/over or whatever.

I think I'd want a hunting knife, large folding gerber-type knife, a large pocket knife, paracord (you can make straps out of it, too, or a belt), some of those metal ring thingies, a Nalgene, um....really there's too many variables. What I have listed above is what I'd want to have in the woods if I didn't need to worry about food.

I love throwing my backpack. Throwing it up over a rock ledge. Over a swift creek. It ensures I have to follow.

There is something satisfying about the action...sometimes I think it's pure " I have power over you now!!!" Sorta revenge, like.

Oh, a needle! That would be useful, especially if you have a paracord with you.

For me, that awesome duffel bag I mentioned before, I would want that. I think it has the same throwing capacity as backpacks. The only thing I wouldn't like about it is its lack of pockets... so there I think a backpack would work. I like smaller bags, though.

Paracord, definitely. (It has SO many uses. O.O) Duct tape, a must. Some kind of way to light stuff on fire. A whistle, flashlight, basically everything in my current bag... a book on how to tie knots and weave, my Worse Case Scenario book... um... Water bottles would be good, too. And an extra change of clothes. A blanket, too. And making the bag waterproof would be a good thing, too.

And this would be for any location, I suppose. Maybe one of those repellor clicky thingies, too? *can't think of the name* I don't know how to repel, or climb, with those things, but in an emergency, I could probably figure out someway to do so...

OH! And a poncho or tarp would be a good thing, too.

Right, stuff for starting fire would be good, and a poncho...and a needle, like you said. ;-)



Eggzacktally! ^

Duct tape is actually a fantastic fire starter.

OH, oooh! Another question: What do you think Mac would put in a bag like this?

BTW, feel free to answer any of the questions in this thread at any time. I just like coming up with new ones.



Oh, you can survive on a deserted island with just duct tape. Mythbusters proved it with another duct tape special. That is a must in a MacGyver bag. Plus, how could it be a MacGyver bag without duct tape?

Haha! My purse/bag/pack thing has already come into use today! My dad was without a pen and needed to pay a check at a restaurant, and guess what I had? A pen! This thing is very practical. *nodnod*

Cool, Nemo! If we're ever in the same vicinity, I will probably refer to you if I need anything...

Sounds good. Or you could just make your own pack. But you'd probably be less likely to carry it everywhere like a girl is...

Exactly...though I usually try not to go completely unprepared...

Yes, don't forget a pen. I was at church and needed a pen. I had everything else besides the kitchen sink, but I didn't have a pen. *adds several pens to her MacGyver bag*