critical

code/modules/mob/living/carbon/inventory.dm

@@ -14,10 +14,29 @@
 			return legcuffed
 	return null
 
-/mob/living/carbon/proc/equip_in_one_of_slots(obj/item/I, list/slots, qdel_on_fail = 1)
+/mob/living/carbon/proc/equip_in_one_of_slots(obj/item/I, list/slots, qdel_on_fail = 1, critical = FALSE)
 	for(var/slot in slots)
 		if(equip_to_slot_if_possible(I, slots[slot], qdel_on_fail = 0, disable_warning = TRUE))
 			return slot
+	if(critical) //it is CRITICAL they get this item, no matter what
+		//do they have a backpack?
+		var/obj/item/backpack = get_item_by_slot(SLOT_BACK)
+		if(!backpack)
+			//nothing on their back
+			backpack = new /obj/item/storage/backpack(get_turf(src))
+			if(equip_to_slot(backpack, SLOT_BACK)) //worst-case-scenario, something that shouldnt wear a backpack gets one
+				I.forceMove(backpack)
+				return SLOT_BACK
+		else if(istype(backpack) && SEND_SIGNAL(backpack, COMSIG_CONTAINS_STORAGE))
+			//place it in here, regardless of storage capacity
+			I.forceMove(backpack)
+			return SLOT_BACK
+		else
+			//this should NEVER happen, but if it does, report it with the appropriate information
+			var/conclusion = qdel_on_fail ? "deleted" : "not moved, staying at current position [I.x], [I.y], [I.z]"
+			message_admins("User [src] failed to get item of critical importance: [I]. Result: item is [conclusion]")
+			//it's not dropped at their turf as this is generally un-safe for midround antags and we don't know their status
+
 	if(qdel_on_fail)
 		qdel(I)
 	return null