I think that the biggest advantage that backpackers have is they are not as likely to panic. They realize that it is possible to survive without tap water, three course meals. hot showers etc because they have done it and survived just fine. The reaction of many urban dwellers is that they are in immediate danger whereas the average backpacker realizes that this is survivable at least in the short term because they have survived for a week or two with nothing but the stuff on their back.