What To Include In Your School Backpack or Daypack

This article is intended to provide some ideas of things that can be included in any backpack or daypack that may help the owner increase their odds of survival in an emergency. We will primarily focus on schools since they are primarily Gun Free Zones (Gun Free School Zone Act) but broadly speaking this can apply to many of us.

A large number of us leave the house with a bag of some sort each day. Be it your backpack, purse, briefcase, portfolio bag, etc. It is growing increasingly common for us to transport a laptop to and from school/work and it makes sense to have a bag to protect it. Millions of children and college enrolled young adults use a backpack every day to transport books and other school supplies.

It makes sense to include some simple things in those bags that increase our odds of surviving any sort of disaster or crime. While this article is focused on school backpacks I would encourage you to not tune out if you are not a student because:

  1. You probably have family members who are students. Kids, grandkids, nieces/nephews, etc.
  2. A lot of the below ideas very easily apply to whatever bag you use regularly in your vocation or daily activity.
  3. Since the things you are allowed to take on a plane are comparable to things kids can take to school these days you could at very least apply this to your carry-on next time you fly.

The Two Things I Think Are Most Paramount

First Aid and Trauma Kit

In life, there are a lot of things we want to be prepared for. Crime, natural disaster, etc but of all the things that I can think of the most likely to occur is some sort of medical emergency. Every day people get cuts, get into car accidents, have heart attacks, and need medical attention. Having a first aid kit of some form makes complete sense. In my 8-year-old kid's backpack that first aid kit is going to be fairly simple mostly made up of band-aids.

In my own daypack, my kit is more comprehensive and includes chest seals and a tourniquet. Decide what is appropriate for you! (Shop: Amazon | Our Store)

[hr]Ballistic Soft Panel Insert

There are a lot of places where my children and I may not be able to have a firearm but something I can take anywhere is a ballistic “bulletproof” panel. There is a large market for these things these days because it is such an easy way to add a layer of protection. Just insert the panel into a backpack and you now have something that will stop all handgun ammunition. Add a textbook or 2 to the bag and you may be able to stop rifle rounds also.

These are not inexpensive, with quality inserts running close to $100 each but it is a one time purchase that will last many years (and arguably forever). My young children can very easily understand the concept and practice of hiding behind their backpack or putting it between them and the shooter should they ever be involved in an Active Shooter situation. For me, it is an easy and effective solution that can be universally applied anywhere.

Recently I took ballistic soft panel inserts from 6 different competitors to the range and did some testing. While we sell several of them in our online store the one I personally recommend, based both on performance, convenience, and cost, is from Citizen Armor (Click Here to see it). (Shop All Body Armor Products)

Here are Other Things to Consider:

Things that are TSA Approved and Would Be Allowed in Any School

Things that May or May Not Be Allowed Depending on the School or Local Laws

  1. Pepper Spray / Mace / Stun-gun
  2. Knife / Multi-Tool

What are other things you put into your child's backpack or you find are useful or valuable in being prepared for a worst case scenario? Let us know in the comments below.

About Mitch Goerdt

Mitch Goerdt, the Social Media Director and Marketing Guru at ConcealedCarry.com, is not your average marketing professional. With a background as rugged as his homeland of Minnesota's Iron Range and a personality as vibrant as the California sunshine, Mitch brings a unique blend of authenticity, wit, and expertise to the world of digital marketing.

Hailing from the land of hockey, Mitch's childhood was a playground for athletic adventures. Whether he was hitting home runs, making tackles, sinking three-pointers, or skating on frozen ponds, Mitch's competitive spirit and love for sports shone through. But his outdoor escapades didn't end there. He spent countless hours exploring the wilderness, honing his firearms, hunting, and fishing skills in the thick woods and on the seemingly endless lakes of Minnesota.

Mitch's journey led him to pursue a diverse range of experiences, both in the wild and the professional realm. Originally he followed in the family footsteps at the taconite mines of NE Minnesota, taking on various roles as a laborer, Millwright, Iron Worker, and Fabrication Welder. Yet, his adventurous spirit pushed him to explore new horizons beyond the familiar comforts of home.

A turning point in Mitch's life came when he made the audacious decision to uproot himself and embark on a transformative journey. He traded the northern chill for the warm California sun, then embraced the majestic mountains of Colorado, and eventually found solace near the sandy beaches of South Carolina. Along the way, he transformed his career path, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Communications, combining his passion for effective messaging with his innate talent for connecting with people.

As ConcealedCarry.com's resident Marketing Guru, Mitch infuses his creative strategies with an engaging blend of humor and insight. He knows how to captivate an audience, weaving compelling narratives and gripping visuals that leave a lasting impression. Behind his mischievous smile and quick wit lies a wealth of knowledge, derived from his voracious appetite for learning. Psychology and philosophy are his intellectual playgrounds, where he continually expands his understanding of the human psyche and the intricacies of the human experience.

While Mitch thrives in the digital realm, he knows the importance of balance and keeping the body as sharp as the mind. During much of his downtime, you'll find him swinging for the fences on the slowpitch softball field. When he's not perfecting his swing, Mitch can be found roaming the great outdoors, exploring hidden trails and soaking in the natural beauty of this great nation.

So, whether he's crafting clever marketing campaigns, delving into the depths of the human mind, or swinging for the fences, Mitch Goerdt brings a vibrant energy and an infectious passion to everything he does.

6 Comments

  1. christopher on August 20, 2018 at 2:21 am

    Emergency food and baby wipes

  2. James on August 25, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    Beanie cap for warmth or disguise. Yard size garbage bag for rain coat or multipurpose.

  3. Mikial on August 25, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Good article. Always teach your family how to be prepared and then set the example yourself.

    It’s too bad that schools are such snake pits and that kids have to be so careful about everything they do and say. You really have to be careful what you let them take to school, but as the author points out there are things you can equip them with. But the most important thing you can do is to train them to have a plan in the event of an emergency and how to carry it out. That’s something no school rule can take away from them.

  4. Charlie Liberto on August 26, 2018 at 6:02 am

    In Louisiana it is illegal to wear body armor on school property!!

  5. Scott on August 26, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Spare your child the extremes and dangers of every day life SIMPLY by learning school ONLINE, like a K-12 school

  6. Scott Quick on August 28, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Great article. I have all of the items listed in my edc carry bag. Keep up all the great work.

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