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PAN? Yeah, PAN.

We’re still in Hastings and the weather is improving after two weeks of wind and rain. In this episode we look at personal security systems and the personal area network that Craig uses to keep track of his belongings.

The key idea is that the more important something is, the closer you keep it to you. The most important items are on your body, the next most important are on your desk, less important items are somewhere in your office, and the least important things are stored elsewhere. While we don’t have a desk or an office with us while travelling, the idea can be translated to the traveller’s lifestyle quite simply.

You still keep your most valuable possessions on your body – wallet, passport, camera and moneybelt should never leave your person. Keep them out of sight, especially your moneybelt – keep it secret, keep it safe.

The desk translates to daybag – important items or items for the day should be stored here or in a hotel safe if you’re heading out for the day. And the traveller’s office is his main bag – everything else you need should be here.

You can organise your personal space as well as your bag to make your valuables more secure and easier to find by using the personal area network system. If you keep the same item in the same pocket of your clothes all the time, it’s easy for you to find it when you need it, and also to check that it is secure if you think you might have lost it. For example, Craig keeps his wallet in his left trouser pocket, his keys and camera in his right trouser pocket, and his ipod in his breast pocket. A few haka-like slaps and he’s assured that he has his most valuable possessions.

This idea can be translated to your main bag as well – keep items that you need to access quickly in the same part of the bag at all times. We keep our torch in an outside pocket so that it’s easy to access when we need it.

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This article was written by Craig and Linda

Craig and Linda Martin have been living on the road since February 2006. Both born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand they are ... somewhere in the world! Craig and Linda host the Indie Travel Podcast - you can get in touch with them here.