Condoms and dental floss
 

Just a quickie, sorry if it's been said before. Two items I like to pack, for more than the obvious use. Condoms are great if you need to waterproof something fast. This may be a sudden downpour or an imminent water crossing. Air filters, black boxes and tailpipes for example. Personal electrical stuff like cameras, ipods and notebooks too. The possibilities are endless and you'd be surprised how quick you can get them on when you need to!

Dental floss is ace if you need to affect a temporary repair. You'll be surprised how strong this stuff is, it's easy to work with and can be used to secure many things. Both items are cheap, easy to pack/store away and can indeed be a lifesaver, please forgive the unintentional ambiguity!

During my army days, I was half asleep during a lecture and missed the original explanation of why you should carry condoms on exercise (put in spare socks and use as emergency water carriers). I could never work out why my instructors were reminding everyone to carry condoms everywhere. Did they seriously think, I wondered, I was going to get a shag opportunity in the Beacons?

And they also make good helmets !

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/6508/con51bo.jpg

Remember to buy the one's without gel - it's not likely your camera is going to get pregnant and it may well appreciate not getting covered with goo...

Nitrile medical gloves are handy for some of the same jobs and aren't lubed so can be taped on to things. They also aren't effected by mineral oils.
Bonus, if you've got a tiny tool, cut the fingers off and you get five condoms !

i'd also recommend telling your partner (if you have one) about them before packing them as that way if they find them its not an awkward conversation as to why you are packing condoms.

when you come out with the line - "emergency water-proofing" i would not be surprised if you get a very suspicious look! Better to tell 'em in advance to avoid this situation!

Very sound advice. i can just imagine the look on the missus' face when she finds a pack of condoms and some rubber gloves in the luggage!! :)

Funny you should say that because i heard the camera-phone is the result of a drunken one night stand between a digital camera and a mobile phone!

That camera obviously did not pack condoms! :eek3: lol

Apparently it was a similar story with the teas-maid! A drunken one night stand between a kettle and an alarm clock! According to reports the alarm clock is quite a livewire after a few drinks!