Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the plunge and finally embark on that adventure traveling solo. What fun it will be to see and do the things that you want to do on your vacation without having to accommodate everyone else. You’ve chosen your destination, confirmed your reservations, made your itinerary, and now you just need to pack your bag and you’re off.

But wait… not quite so fast! Here are five essential items you need when you are traveling solo.

1. Backpack with padded straps: Whether you are walking through a city, hiking in a forest, or sightseeing, a backpack is a must. Essential to the backpack are padded straps and using a backpack instead of a shoulder bag helps with spreading the weight of your items. Being hands-free when you are traveling solo is a must as you’ll have no one to hold items for you while you root through your backpack pockets. You can keep everything you need in one spot as you tour the area, including water bottles, your money, ID, medication, snacks, and sunscreen or an extra hat or socks.

2. Medical ID Card:. If you find yourself sick or injured when doing a solo trip having a medical ID card is critical. There won’t be anyone with you to speak on your behalf. You might also consider wearing a medical bracelet or necklace with important health conditions and consider buying travel medical insurance. It’s also a good idea to store important family contacts with your medical card in case of emergency.

3. Wearing a Whistle: Carrying pepper spray when you are in travel may sound like a good idea but did you know that it is illegal in some countries? A good alternative to a can of pepper spray is a whistle or some other noise maker that can attract the attention of bystanders, should you find yourself in a compromising situation.

4. A Rubber Doorstop: Confused? No, you won’t be using it to prop doors open, but to secure them from the inside. If your hotel has somewhat questionable locks or seedy looking staff with access to room pass keys, nobody is getting past a rubber doorstop placed on the inside to keep the door from opening. Just be sure you have an escape route in case of fire, as that means any rescue attempts are out of the question without taking an ax to the door.

5. Extra Passport Photo: The biggest fear of first-time travelers is losing their passport. Although it can be scary when you find an empty pocket instead of a passport, it is not the end of the world and you won’t be stuck in the country you are visiting. The fastest way to replace your passport is to bring an extra picture with you. If you must apply for a replacement while abroad having the extra picture will make things much easier.

The idea is to have a great time while you travel to your destination. You are going on vacation to unwind and reboot and not worry about what you didn’t pack These five essentials items will get you started in the right direction for that first-time solo vacation.