OPS Survival Kit: What should it contain?

[vakkotaur]

At almost every convention at which Orvan has done ACME deliveries, he has delivered an OPS Survival Kit.

This started as a joke. And it was meant as only a joke, but it's turned out more than once that this joke was surprisingly practical. If it was just a joke, I'd probably retire the bit as "it's been done" and part of good comedy is not running the same gag into the ground through excess repetition. Since it has moved from humor to practicality, I have different concerns. One is that I really hope this whole thing really does become redundant and that folks working Ops and such at a convention manage to be properly prepared for the things this sort of kit covers. It's not that I want to bail out of it. It's that I would rather people be prepared. If they start depending on this showing up, it'll be a bit awkward if something happens and I (and therefore Orvan) can't make it, and this doesn't show up. Not a disaster, but it'll be one more nuisance for them then.

Beyond that, there is the matter of what items belong in the kit. I think I have the basics covered, but I'm not the one using the kit. For all I know there is something there I simply should not bother with. Or worse, there is a blatant omission of "D'oh!" proportions that would be trivial to take care of.

Some of these items have been common to every OPS/REGS Survival Kit. Others have only been in some and not in others due to ready availability (These are generally dollar store specials - ACME is cheap.) or to differences in the nature of a convention. For example, including caffeine in something going to Penguicon seems horribly redundant.

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Naproxen (Aleve)
Antacid
Pepto or equivalent
Throat drops
Bandages / mini first-aid kit
Handi-wipes
Tissues
Caffeine
Candy
Duc{k,t} tape

Is anything there that should not be? Anything that makes you think, "What the blazes is that there for?" Or that, after a convention, has not been opened at all? The various analgesics will stay as people have different preferences and tolerances, and even if one kind goes unused at convention X, I expect it will be used at convention Y.

Is anything obviously missing? Any item where you reach for the kit, look through it, and wonder why that thing isn't there?

I'd especially like to hear from anyone who worked Ops/Regs at a con and made use of one of these survival kits.

Comments

[thepita.livejournal.com]

i know at RCFM the different 'aspirin' products came in real handy...they were well used and needed and appreciated.....throat lozenges came in real handy for KO sunday am....
i think what's in there is great....i can't think of anything reasonable to add...although i have some preferences...LOL....but my doctor keeps me in those....

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I know I've told someone that I can't and won't include hydrocodone and I won't include liquor.

[thepita.livejournal.com]

well...damn it.....actually, mints and/or gum might not be a bad idea....and what jcw_da_dmg said too.....

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

Breath strips? Purell?

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I think I did include some Listerine product one, or maybe it was just Penguin mints and there were some comments about that. Comments of "Are you trying to tell me something?" variety.

(Cue "Hi-ho, the Radio"...

Your best friend wouldn't tell you...

But some announcer will!)

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

I was thinking it was something the volunteer (recipient) could OFFER to attendees.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Endbac (http://www.uclean.com/catalog/productInfo/chemicals/disinfectants/sc_johnson_endbac_ii_spray_disinfectant.html), or an equivalent, seems a tempting thing at times.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a nose-worthy clothespin.

Great Idea!

[evilbitch316.livejournal.com]

Maybe a sharpie, pen, or pencil and a small pad of paper. Those are items that always seem to be missing when you need them the most but, are readily found around the hotel. a puzzle book for those who end up working the wee hours of Con. Also, you may also want to include blue painter's tape. A lot of hotels won't allow anything but that kind of tape to be used for signs.

[doodlesthegreat.livejournal.com]

Mints
mouthwash
sewing kit
deck of cards (that and a bag of Skittles is a poker tourney during slow nights)

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Mascot? So it has to fit the con, or the theme?

[trebor1415.livejournal.com]

Small notepad and pen

Sanitary napkin and/or tampons

Condoms

(Both of the above labeled, "Please take if needed"