Incidentally, I did a little study on the term “knapsack” and learned that it is associated with a capacity of under 30 liters. A backpack has a capacity typically of 50 liters or more, and a rucksack has a capacity of 60 liters. The knapsack capacity may be limited but it certainly is an asset when you have provisions to transport, and it’s certainly larger than a bandana on the end of a hiking staff.

I wear a double D ring style belt and used it to tie the ends of the legs together. At first they slipped out of the cinched belt loop but then I rolled back each leg’s hem to form a cuff, then slid one cuff over the other, much like some folks fold their socks together for storage. This created a slight knob shape that helped to prevent slippage through the belt’s closed loop. Next, positioning the pant legs on the closed zipper side of the pants, I threaded the remaining belt strap through the pant’s belt loops and fastened the end of the strap through the D rings. The belt strap can be tightened to close the waist over the top of your load. To mount the knapsack I lifted it up behind my head and inserted my arms into the loops that were created by the legs, then I let it slide down my arms and onto my back.

There’s no substitute for the proper tools for a job but when you improvise, it’s amazing what can be accomplished. This is one possibility that could be a real benefit in an emergency situation.

– For water proof storage: Packing clothes and other items inside plastic bags within your backpack or luggage will help sort and retrieve things more easily. The contents will stay dry if you drop your pack or bag in water or are caught in the rain for an extended period of time.

– To expedite travel bag inspections: When traveling by public transporation where security inspections take place your luguage contents can be easily inspected by security personnel and will remain intact. I keep non-approved items in a separate bag so that it can be easily removed and left behind before-hand, however, it remains in my bag if I travel privately.

– As a clothes washer: A large bag can be partially filled with water with a bit of soap. Next, insert a few clothes items that need washing. Gently toss the bag from hand to hand to agitate. Clothes can be rinsed the same way with plain water.

– As a canteen: Water can be carried in a sealable plastic bag that when opened at the corner provides a spout from which to drink. It can be placed inside a second plastic bag for an extra measure of protection against leaks. For transport it can then be kept inside a cloth bag or pocket, providing it with support and added insulation.

– As a cooler: A bag filled with ice can keep it’s contents cool for many hours. This works best with sealed items like cans or bottles.

– As an ice pack: A bag can be partially filled with water and frozen around an object or instead you can just fill it with ice.

– As a funnel: You can cut a tip off of the bottom corner and pour contents into the top. This has worked successfully for adding gasoline into a car tank in a pinch.

– As a tinder carrier: Keeping tinder dry could prove to be critical when traveling in a survival situation.

– As a water lens for making solar fire: By filling the bag with water, squeezing out the air, and forming it into a ball, you can focus light on a sunny day well enough to start a solar method fire (yes, I’ve done this…).

– As a fishing float or buoy: You can attach a fishing line or anchored line to an inflated bag to either fish or mark a spot for submerged items.

Perhaps you have used sealable plastic bags in other travel or emergency situations. Please leave a comment from your experiences.