Before we decide what to take with us, we need to decide what luggage we are going to take. So unless you are a veteran trekker, it may be time to replace the ageing case under the bed, alternatively, maybe the designer bags have to be replaced with a more rugged counterpart.  Either way, as a durable, comfortable  and  occasional seat providing item, your travel bag  is an absolute essential, so let's consider the options:

Option 1 : The rucksack.

Option 2: The rucksack with combined day-pack.

Option 3: The rucksack with wheels.

Option 4: The hold-all \ case with wheels.

Option 5: The cargo bag. 
 

Option 1: The rucksack	Good Points	Bad Points
Option 1: The rucksack.	Keeps your hands free.   Handles obscure terrain. i.e. If you need to get off a boat and onto a sandy beach then a rucksack is perfect : feet may get wet, backpack will not and there's no wheels to get bogged in the sand.   Provides an even distribution of the weight which puts less strain on a single point of the body. Which basically means you can carry more for longer when compared with a bag with a traditional shoulder strap.	Many traditional varieties still provide the main point of access via the top.  i.e. Everything goes in via the top and if you want something at the bottom of the rucksack, then everything comes out via the top. However, more modern rucksacks now provide zip access via the middle. So you can access your belongs just like a suitcase.   Not as secure or durable as a suitcase with a hard surface.    No wheels for pulling along the ground.
Option 2: The rucksack with combined day-pack	Good Points	Bad Points
Option 2: The rucksack with combined day-pack.	You can of course remove the day-pack and wear it, as most people do, by attaching it to your chest. This way you have a perfectly good rucksack, and (depending on the brand) a perfectly good day-pack. If the day-pack is of good quality and the 2-bags-for-1 price is right, then this becomes a good option.	Despite seeming like a good idea, the whole balance and weight distribution benefits found with a normal rucksack go out the window when you attach a day pack to the back of it. Freedom and mobility are lost because the extra bit of weight in the day pack tips the scales, but not in your favour. The day pack is further away from your body's centre of gravity, so it takes less for you to loose your balance.  Not good.   The day-pack attached to a rucksack is quite poor from a personal safety point of view. Because the day-pack is attached to the rucksack and not to your body, it becomes difficult to have "bag awareness" .  If you were in a crowd would you be able to tell if someone was trying to tamper or access this bag? And this is your day-pack, it's were you tend to store your valuables!   Despite paying more for this type of bag (because you get 2 bags for 1 in essence) the quality of the day-pack is rarely as good as if bought separately.   Narrow corridors, train aisles and alike can be problematic with a standard rucksack. The extra width supplied with a day-pack bolted on just doesn't help in those situations.
Option 3: The rucksack with wheels	Good Points	Bad Points
Option 3: The rucksack with wheels.	Great on smooth surfaces.   Nice to use as a rucksack when your environment requires.	The wheels and surrounding plastic moulding add to the weight. This is fine when it's on the ground, but when in rucksack mode any extra weight is never good.   Despite having rucksack straps, they don't appear  with the same quality and padding as those found purely on a rucksack. Similarly, the wheels might not be as robust as those found only on cases. I fear that this could be a jack of all trades, but master of none.
Option 4: The hold-all with wheels	Good Points	Bad Points
Option 4: The hold-all with wheels.	Great on smooth surfaces.   Easy access to your belongings.	If you need to carry your bag for a prolonged amount of time then the lone shoulder strap isn't as comfortable as rucksack straps.
Option 5: The cargo bag.	Good Points	Bad Points
Option 5: The cargo bag.	Nice to use as a rucksack when needed.   Easy access to your belongings.	No wheels for pulling along the ground.   Despite having rucksack straps, they don't appear with the same quality and padding as those found purely on a rucksack.

And the winner is...

There are quite clearly two categories : bags with wheels and bags without wheels. Having the option to use  wheels and  the ability to be worn on your back seems like a win-win situation. At the airport :  use wheels . Getting off a boat :  stick it on your back. However, this design (option 3 from above) just isn't quite good enough because the wheels and handle add extra weight and reduce comfort when it's used like a rucksack. I want my cake and to eat it. I want a rucksack with wheels that I can hardly tell are there. I'm sure with time this design will get much better, but I wouldn't risk using it just yet.

Now with option 3 removed, we are left to choose if we want a bag with wheels or not. On a round the world trip there will be times when having a wheels-only case will be awkward. It could be fine for 80% of the trip, but not for the entirety. However, if you are considering 3 weeks across a developed country, then having a wheeled variety case is likely to be ideal.

But we are planning for a round the world trip, so a rucksack is best suited. It may be an obvious winner, but there are reasons why the masses use a rucksack. The rucksacks good points mentioned above are key to surviving a round the world trip.

The only situation in which the standard hold-all triumphs is by having a pair of wheels. But the world is not smooth and flat, so you are better off with a rucksack. And most airports and many train stations have trolleys, so if your ruck sack does get too much, you can always throw it on a trolley. 

Accessing the contents of a rucksack can be considered awkward too, but modern designs provide access to the innards via a zip in the middle of the bag. This is great and makes it just as easy as a regular bag to find your belongings - I'd have to insist on having this variety of rucksack.

The durability of a rucksack may be questioned? But this too can be overcome as additional protector bags can be purchased.  They act as a kind of sack (many people actually use farmers' sacks)  for your rucksack and prevent straps from getting ripped off and other damage when going through airports. 

So, considering the above add-ons and improvements, the rucksacks negative points are wiped out. Hence we have a winner, the people's choice: the rucksack. 

Buyers Tip :

If you can, don't buy a rucksack online, buy it from your local outdoors store. Why? Well it really makes a difference being able to try a rucksack on. You may have all sorts of ideas of what you want, but it's the fit that has to be right. Many packs have complicated ergonomic back support systems. Some are too complicated and offer too many fitting options when all you want is to adjust and go. You may find a simpler, cheaper model that fits you perfect. Try a few on, adjust them,  maybe you have a long \ short \ wide back and brand X is better suited? Rucksack sizes vary and are measured in litres, but there's no conversion chart for clothes carried to litres, so at least this way you get idea of what size to get and what size you can carry. Hopefully you'll "bag" a bargain and there will be no hidden surprises, plus it really gets you in the trekking mood and is a lot more fun than just clicking a "buy me" button.

All packed and the rucksack is virtually empty! 

Copyright Notice : This image features the legendary Joey Tribbiani from the
television show Friends. Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane
Productions and is a copyright of Warner Bros. Television.

OK, so you have your bag, now it's time to fill it. Let's assume you are travelling for more than a month and will hit all weather climates except Arctic conditions! Let's keep it simple and make a list of clothes to take.

The Clothes List

1. Underwear X7 (quantity 7)

   As much as you can carry! Seriously, you can wear other items more than once, but doing so with underwear is not nice. So, including the pair you are wearing, aim for 7 or more days worth. Of course, this means that you should only need to do a clothes wash once a week, which is always good. And remember to  have a couple of pairs of the warmer thicker variety, don't just pack your skimpies, pack some winter woollies too!

2. Socks X7

   It's the same rules that apply for the underwear: 7 pairs, a couple of thick pairs, a couple of thin pairs, and the rest regular.

3. Fleece \ Hoodie X2

   Two of these ideally. One to wear when ones in the wash or needs washing. One to use as a pillow \ blanket while you wear one. Or maybe it's cold, so you need to wear both.

4. T-Shirts \ Vests X7

   You can buy inexpensive T-shirts all over the world and they make great souvenirs, so don't worry too much about packing lots of these. Plus, in some places it's almost cheaper to buy T-shirts then it is to get them washed! 

   Buyers Tip : 

   Your specialist outdoors shop can charge a lot for "special" travel t-shirts or "base layers" that don't crease and promise to keep you cool\warm etc. These can be a bit of a con as it's basically just a t-shirt that is made with polyester. A typical brand "X" travellers T-shirt will simply be a 100% polyester, which is fine, but not anything special. Similarly, sports-wear is often high in polyester, so try your sports shop first as it may have some cheaper shirts with better designs.

   You're going to need a few T'-shirts to get you going so take a good mix.  A couple of polyester travel-style T's and a couple of cotton based T's should do the trick. And you can always wear them as layers if it gets cold. Don't take all traveller T's  unless you want to look like you've continuously just stepped out of the local hiking store. A couple is fine, but take a couple of your good old favourites T's too, as it's are always nice to wear them whilst away from home.

   Women & Vests : 

   Some countries disapprove of women showing the tops of their arms. In some countries it's just at temples, but in others its everywhere. So if you respect the locals, don't take just vests, take some T's too.

5. Long Trekking Zip-off Trousers X2

   This is something the outdoor shops got right. The legs usually zip off at intervals at around the calf, the thigh or both. These trouser are just great. Great in all weathers, light weight, hardly crease, lots of secure pockets with zips. Get a couple of pairs of these and you won't regret it.

6. Jeans X1 (Luxury Item No. 1)

   Hard core traveller types will frown over the concept of taking a pair of jeans. Denim is heavy to carry and when wet, it stays wet. However, I like jeans. Jeans can be smart, casual, comfy, hard-wearing etc. There will be times when you get fed up of your dowdy, practical trekking clothes. At that point you can don a pair of jeans and a favourite top (see luxury item no. 2  below), go to the local pub and feel good about yourself : you are no longer a tourist, you are just you.

7. Waterproof Jacket X1

   The different types of jacket available can vary in thickness. One too thin offers little wind-break protection and one too thick takes up too much room in your rucksack. You don't need the thickest for warmth, as you can always add layers under the jacket, so just make sure it's waterproof and contains a reasonable lining.

8. Swimwear X1

   You will probably have a dip at some point or if jungle trekking, you may need them to shower in as the shower might not be too private!

9. Sleepwear X1

   You may have a bathroom at the end of the corridor, so something concealing is probably best.

10. A Favourite Item X1 (Luxury Item No. 2)

    You will meet people whilst travelling, you will bond with them and then you will go your separate ways. Usually before you go your separate ways a night out is planned.  Now nobody really cares who's wearing what, but on such occasions, if you want to rid the dull trekking gear and put on some party clothes, you will of course need such clothes in your pack. This is your luxury item: a fancy skirt or dress that is best worn in a club and not up the side of a mountain.  Or maybe a shirt that's a bit trendier than the rest you're carrying. What ever your super cool item is, I say take it. You're allowed 2 luxuries in my pack list and I believe this is a good one to have in there. 

11. Walking Shoes \ Trainers X1

    Depending on your trip and it's weather conditions trainers may suffice, however, walking shoes are really the better option. Either way, don't take new shoes away with you. Buy them before you depart and wear them in before you go.

    You can buy inexpensive T-shirts all over the world and they make great souvenirs, so don't worry too much about packing lots of these.

12. Flip Flops \ Sandals \ Crocs X1 *Hostel Essential*

    A light weight alternative to your walking shoes is a must. When you've had your walking shoes on all  day you will need an alternative to let your feet breath. Plus, these shoes are ideal for walks to communal bathrooms and other general hostel lounging areas, think of them as your travel slippers!

13. Sun Hat \ Cap X1

    Bad-hair day? Wear a hat. Hair needs a wash, but don't have the time? Wear a hat. Mid-day sun? Wear a hat.  Sleeping en-route, but its too bright? Wear a hat. Small and essential, so don't leave without one. 

14. Sarong

    There isn't a female traveller in the land who wouldn't have one of these in her bag. As these are often cheap to buy and readily available, I'd recommend buying them in the country you are visiting. That way you'll get a funky design and it will make a great souvenir too.

15. Woolly Hat and Gloves

    Only really needed if you know it's going to be cold. If you are camping you might need these to sleep in too. Remember, the temperature in deserts can drop quickly at night, so don't be fooled by mid-day heat.  Come the evening you may just need some woollies to keep the extremities warm.

16. Money Belt X2

    

    The normal money belt.

    There are 2 kinds of money belt and I recommend that you take both. The more common variety goes around the waist and is placed under your shirt and trousers, next to your skin, often against your stomach. If you get robbed, thieves will find it. However, it keeps your valuables close, and prevents valuables from being in your bag, which can always be snatched.  Also,  if using sleeper trains they provide a good way to sleep with your valuables.

    Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

    

    Secret agent money belt.

    The second kind is a normal looking belt , like one that holds up your trousers, except on the inside is a zip.  Basically,  you open the zip and place folded money (notes) in the concealed pocket. It's very secret agent, not recognisable, and most importantly gives you a place to store emergency cash, cash that thieves are less likely to find.

    Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

    
    

    And Finally...

17. Sunglasses

    It's your world trip, you will be taking lots of photos and you want to look good in those pictures right? Sunglasses can of course be bought from every country in the world, so if you are worried about your designer shades not making it back in one piece (they won't ) then you can always get a pair en-route. Obviously if you need prescription sunglasses you're best to take those with you. So take a pair of shades, as well as protecting your eyes, they provide you with a cool traveller image!

For an abridged printer friendly version of this list please visit The Check Lists .

Travel Accessories : Is no object safe from conversion into
 a smaller, smarter travel counterpart?

Take an everyday object, miniaturise  it, sprinkle in some protective plastic and then it becomes the ultra-portable, super-handy, travel accessory. It's original use may no longer work (as happened with a travel iron I once had) but that's besides the point.  So let's look at what will be genuinely handy on a round the world trip, but also, and just as important, let us look at what not to take too.

If you're wondering where all the electronic gadget accessories are, then take a look at the Technology Helper .

Travel Pillow

Leave it at home! If you are on a flight, just ask, and they will provide you with a pillow. If you are on a coach, is it really that much better than a rolled up jumper? Still not convinced?  Consider this : How much time will it actually be in use compared to the amount of time in your bag? I suspect it will hardly ever be in use, so I'd recommend leaving this item at home.

Mosquito Nets

If you know you are going to be in the jungle or other rural areas of risk for a considerable amount of time then it's worth taking one.  If you are one of those people that always get bit or maybe has an allergy to the bites, then take one as a precaution. However, having said that, many hotels, hostels and even jungle camps provide mozzie nets for their guests. So again, in most situations you will probably not need it. Which is great because having pre-installed netting is far more convenient than attaching your own nets.

Travel Iron

No! Don't waste your money. In hot weather creases fall out. In cold weather you wear jumpers that hide creases. Too heavy and just a hassle really. Yes, it's great for 2 weeks sunshine and drinking holidays, just not needed for a round the world trip.

Sleeping Bag

If you are going to be camping for the majority of your trip, i.e. it's a camping trip,  then you need one. If not, then don't bother. Sleeping bags are bulky even when rolled and even though you can attach them to the outside of your rucksack, it will still add weight. You will more than likely still have situations on your trip where you will require a bag, maybe for a weeks camping here and there. However, in this situation you nearly always have an option to rent a sleeping bag.  Renting a bag provides your hostel or the camp organisers with a chance to make a quick buck, and it's far more convenient for you to rent one for a few dollars a day. Renting off these people also means you should get a sleeping bag that is the right tog or thickness for your environment. If you don't want to rent one because of the cleanliness factor then take a sleeping bag liner instead (see below).

Sleeping Bag Liner  (aka Sleepsacks)

"No" to a sleeping bag, but a big "Yes" to a sleeping bag liner! Now I know this may sound mad, but let me explain. If you are sleeping somewhere and the bedding isn't looking the cleanest, then not to worry, as you can hop in your liner and then get into bed.  Your liner will protect you from the grime.  Similarly, if you rent a sleeping bag, you now have your own liner to use between you and the sleeping bag. And if you are a bit chilly, well it can always act as an extra sheet. Plus, they take up very little room, so are ideal to squeeze in your rucksack. Liners usually come in cotton or, the slightly more expensive, silk. They are just far superior and more practical than lugging a sleeping bag around, so do not leave home without one.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Journal

Even if you are not a diary type of person it's still important to take a journal. Trips often happen at a whirlwind pace and you are going to see and do things that you will probably never do again. So while the blur happens, have a journal and makes some notes of the days activities. In a few years time, when you look back at it, all the forgotten quips will provide great belly laughs.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

If you use it [Swiss Army Knife] for nothing else but to open bottles of wine or beer then it will have served its purpose well.

Book

One of the enjoyable consequences of time spent in motion is the lack of things to do. One action that most will settle into is the reading of a good book. So pick wisely and pick lengthy - yes, I know it will add weight, but it's going in your day pack, so shouldn't be too bad.  And you don't need a library with you, because as soon as you have finished reading it, the book will get swapped, traded or borrowed and passed on to another traveller, hostel or shop.

Travel Guide

Lonely Planet guides are the bible and I'm not affiliated to them, they are just good. There are of  course many alternatives too, so find a good guide that suites you. When picking one I usually test the book by looking up a place I've been to. Hostels will occasionally have second hand guide books of the country they are in, so check there before you go and buy new.

And don't always assume that the guide will be cheaper in the country you are going to. Take New Zealand for example, books there are expensive. The books aren't always produced on the islands and as such importing them increases the price.

You don't need a library of these on your back either, simply take one or two of places towards the beginning of your trip. You will then try to swap and trade as you leave the countries and hopefully get copies of places you are going to next.

Lonely Planet guides are available to buy from their online shop.

Swiss Army Knife \ Pocket Knife (with corkscrew) \ Miss Army Knife (for the ladies)

The Miss Army Knife

You don't have to be living off the land and catching your own food to use one of these. If you use it for nothing else but to open bottles of wine or beer then it will have served it's purpose well.

The Miss Army Knife is available to buy from Firebox*

A regular knife is available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*
 

Eating Utensils

A plastic fork (or a half-spoon, half-fork, "spork") and knife will suffice for those food emergencies. The hostel may have run out of clean cutlery or you may just fancy a yogurt from the shop, either way you are able to tuck in with your own utensils. Note, seeing someone eat yogurt with a folded piece of A4 paper just isn't nice. And these also allow for early morning,  simple in-room breakfasts (bought the night before from the 7-11) . 

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Alarm Clock \ Watch

Not every room you stop in will have an alarm clock, so just take your own. You've got planes to catch and places to be, so timekeeping is a must. 

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Ear Plugs *Hostel Essential*

Maybe you are sharing a dorm with a snorer?  Maybe your hostel is on the same street as the loudest dance club in town? Either way it's not good if you need to sleep, so get some ear plugs to assist.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Water Bottle

The Platypus Water Bottle.

You can always buy a plastic bottle of water, so it's not a trip stopper if this gets forgotten. However, this type of bottle is extremely handy.  It's called a Platypus and has 5 major benefits:

1. It's not a fixed size. i.e. You drink some and then roll the bottle up.  It then gets smaller and only takes up the space needed.

2. You can buy larger, cheaper bottles of water from the supermarket and then top up your Platypus as needed. No need to carry huge, heavy bottles around.

3. You can fill it from the tap.

4. When it's empty it's takes up very little room in your bag. A normal bottle will still occupy the same space full or empty.

5. Fewer plastic bottles bought is better for the environment.

Remember that water is heavy to carry around, so you don't need a huge bottle. Think of the bottles that soft drinks come in and pick something of similar size to what you'd normally buy. I personally have a 1 litre bottle. Full, it's not heavy and will last me a day. If I have a half day outing then I can alway half fill it. Note, I am not affiliated to the product, I just like it. For more information visit the Platypus website http://www.platy.com/ .

Platypus bottles are available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Duct Tape

Not the first thing you might think of taking, but still useful nonetheless. If a mosquito net has a hole, you can fix it. If your bag gets a tear, you can fix it.  Camping with a holey roof, you can patch it. If an accident happens then duct tape will patch most things, so that makes it a nice-to-have.

Torch

If camping, then a torch is a must. But even if you are not it's always very useful. Now despite the "I'll look silly wearing that" feeling, the head torch (as worn by miners) really is the best to get. If you've ever, whilst camping,  used the toilet during the night, then you will know how much you need the head torch variety.  And as for that "look silly" feeling, that will soon vanish because the head torch is extremely common at most campsites and quite often campers without it will be queueing up to borrow yours to assist in those night time walks.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Plastic Bags

There are of course varying grades in plastic bags and I'm suggesting to take a few of your strongest and finest. The main use is to contain dirty washing. You can fill a bag, sit on it and tie a knot in it and then your washing will take up less space. They also help in generally partitioning your rucksack. I.e.  If you're not needing your warmer clothes stick them in a bag and forget about them.

Water Proof Wallet \ Bag

One look at the documents trip helper and you will realise how important the documentation is that you are taking with you. It's important documentation that you want to stay dry, so invest in a water proof wallet to store it in. Note, trying to cross borders with a beer soaked passport just doesn't bode well.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Clothes Line & Sink Plug

To cut down on the big washes, why not rinse items out in the sink? Underwear and those quick drying travel T-shirts are ideal to wash in the sink. This will then keep you going until you reach washing machine civilisation.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Security Accessory 1 : Combination Padlocks *Hostel Essential*

To lock those zips on your backpack together or maybe to secure your items in a locker. Don't bother with the key variety, keys will just get lost.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Security Accessory 2 : Rucksack Lock *Hostel Essential*

Security Accessory 2 : A combination cable
lock makes a great lock for securing your
rucksack to something more solid.

There are a variety of locks on the market, but basically all that's required is someway to secure your rucksack to something more solid, i.e. a  chair or some other heavy furniture. Large hostels can often be quite busy places with people coming and going and all carrying luggage. So if someone wanted to walk out with someones else's luggage, well, no one is going to notice. You can only do so much, but if your pack is locked to something, then it's not going to walk off by itself. So, if you are leaving it in a store room or just having a sleep whilst waiting for your lift, it's best to have a lock that secures your bag. 

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Security Accessory 3 : Door Locks

Security Accessory 3 : Door wedge alarm

Maybe the hostel looks dodgy, maybe the staff look shifty or maybe the hostel is just in the wrong part of town. Whatever it is, sometimes you will get to your room and just not feel safe or comfortable. So to help you relax, your own door lock should help. I'm not suggesting anything complicated,  a simple wedge or chair at the room door maybe enough. However,  I'd recommend one of these alarmed door wedges (see picture). They wedge themselves under the door (from the inside) then if someone tries to enter, the door is stopped (because of the wedge) and an alarm goes off triggered by the force of the door on the wedge. They are small and light, so fit easily in a rucksack and they only take a couple of batteries to power the alarm.  It's a very simple idea, but one that stops you worrying about wrongful entry.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

And Finally...

A Compass

It doesn't need to be flash - although some watches have a built in digital compass which is nice - and it doesn't need to be swish as toy shops often provide the most fun ones. So go, get a cheap, funky compass. It's not so much an essential, but just good fun. Of course, if navigating city maps isn't your strong point, then you can always actually use it and it may even help you to find your way home. 

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

 For an abridged printer friendly version of this list please visit The Check Lists .

With so many people seeing either myopically or hyperopically, and as a fellow spectacle and contacts wearer, I thought some tips in this area might help. So here are some extra items that a spectacle wearer may want to include in their bag.

A Spare Pair Of Glasses

If your only pair of glasses get broken then getting another pair could be tough. So take a spare pair for that emergency situation

A Few Contact Lenses

You don't need to be a full time contact lens wearer to have a some pairs of lenses with you. Some things just can't be done with glasses on, but are fine with contact lenses . For example, you can't bungee jump in glasses, but if you want to actually see the experience, then it's OK to wear contact lenses. Also, if you find yourself having a football match with the locals then you might want contacts for that too. So take a few pairs with you just in case you need them for that random, crazy experience on your trip.

Prescription Sunglasses

You'll need some sun glasses at some point and if you need prescription sun glasses then it's best to take them with you. Don't even think you can get them made whilst travelling as this isn't always the case.

Prescription Goggles

If swimming, water sports or generally getting wet are your thing then some prescription goggles might want to be considered too.

Sports Band

These generally consist of a band of elastic that goes around your head, this attaches to the arms of your glasses and thus prevents them from falling from your face. So again, if you end up on some crazy adrenalin fuelled experience then a sports band might help.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Tiny Screwdriver

If the arm falls off your specs or they get  loose, then having this at hand will solve the situation and avoid any embarrassment in having to use a plaster to stick the arm back in place.

Available to buy from Walkabout Travel Gear*

Your Prescription

If the worst comes to the  worst and you have to get some glasses made whilst you are travelling, then having this will help the situation immensely.