I am going to Israel for about two weeks in late March and early April.

Deciding that I probably ought to carry a little more than the standard PSK, I bought a photographer's vest on the net. It has lots of pockets.

I am trying to figure out what I should add to the standard PSK load for the trip. The trip will be mostly urban, Jeruslam, Haifa, Mesada, Tel-Aviv and Galilee.

I know from experience that I need to have lots of water, I also know that I can't carry a gun. Besides, if you can't go into an area without a gun, you shouldn't go there at all unless you are getting paid for it (i.e. police, military, etc.)

I also can easily go bigger on some things, like a commercial traveler's sewing kit. A Blastmatch, full bottle of Port. Aqua, and space blanket/bag won't be a problem either.

I don't think that I can carry my SRK, should I carry my CS Land-Sea Rescue knife, or my Benchmade ATS-34? Both?

What about additional medical supplies?

Thanks to everyone in advance for your consideration and advise.

Seth

P.S. If there is active war at the time of the scheduled start of the trip, the trip's off.

Interesting question. I would be sure that I had two good sources light (three might be even better) - useful in first aid as well as more normal applications. At least one would be a headlamp.

Platypus makes several containers that might fit very well in some of your vest pockets. Very sturdy and they will "shrink as you drink."

Consider stashing a smallish prybar somewhere in your vest. I am thinking of the gadgets that are available in your local Home Center, anywhere from 5" to 15" in length - very good for heavy duty prying and scraping. I would also pack a pair of leather gloves - deerskin are the best, light, compact, and quite tough.

A good multitool, anything you like as long as it's a Wave, would be useful.

Additional FA items, oriented toward trauma, seem like a good idea.

Best of luck to you.

randy "schwert" from this forum has posted just about the best filled vest EDC I have seen yet . Check out the thread that post shows up in and search the forum on the word vest. (remember to set the search to look at all posts not just the last few weeks worth.)

Things I would want with me on a trip as you described:

First aid kit - a pretty extensive one in the suitcase and a basic one with me in the vest (with all the usual stuff).

Knife - I'd want a good fixed blade if possible. If not (for legal reasons), then I'd want a good size folder for self defense use (Spyderco Endura comes to mind). I'd also take a smaller folder for the everyday uses where you wouldn't want to pull out the bigger one. A SAK comes to mind for this one. I'd also have my multi-tool with me (mine's a Leatherman Wave). Yes...that's a lot, but I think they could all prove useful. I also believe in backups in case something happens to one. I'd never carry just one knife on a trip like this.

PSK - you've already got that covered.

Large Bandana or two. Several good uses for these.

Compass / Map. Just in case you get turned around. I'd want this to stay with me always...not just in the room.

Light - I'd want a good bright light with (at least) one extra set of batts with me. A small Streamlight Scorpion or Surefire E2 comes to mind. I'd also be sure to have a Photon or two thrown in. Use one as the zipper pull on your vest...it'll always be handy.

Water - as already mentioned, there are some containers that collapse as you use them to help save room. I'd also keep the aqua-tabs in the vest. This smaller "fall back" container would be used to supplement a larger canteen that I wouldn't be shy about carrying.

The space blanket is also a good idea. Little size and NO noticable weight.

A small dust mask might also prove handy in this part of the world. You could take a box and keep one or two in the vest folded up and utilizing very little room.

I also find a small pack of kleenex (the travel size) to be handy in far out places (blow your nose, TP, etc).

A small (travel size) bottle of hand sanitizer might be useful. I keep a .5 oz (15ml) bottle of Purell with me. Other than the obvious...it makes a great fire starter.

I'd also throw in an extra ink pen somewhere. The fisher space pen would be excellent.

Best of luck with your trip. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Will you be flying El Al? They have what has to be the most stringent security of any airline. I would give them the courtesy of an inquiry A. regarding bringing your gear in luggage B. what people carry daily in Israel. There is so much fretting about various official reaction to PSKs et al. I think we need to bring them out of the shadows of the unusual to something recognised as a non threatening assembly. You could even reference our site <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I recently repaired a Rabbi's car on the sabbath eve. Joining him for a prayer and kosher meal, I donned the coffee filter from my PSK. It made a great yamulka LOL. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seth,

I'd be sure to take:
1. Duct tape;
2. Cordage;
3. Whistle;
4. Eye protection -- Whether it's just the bright sun, or things unexpectedly go flying toward your face, eye protection is always comforting;
5. Ear plugs -- Noisy children, fighting neighbors, a blaring sound system/band, or in-your-face terrorists, ear plugs will help you keep your inner peace. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Have a good trip.

John

Hi Chris

You bet we're flying El Al! I was planning on taking most of my stuff in my checked bagage. I'll wear my flight jacket (nomex) on the AC, they're flying triple 7s now.

I'll contact a friend of mine in Israel to check on what people are carrying.

I'll always remember the guard at the gate of Ben Gurian University of the Negev. He always wore a black sweater and a matching black Uzi. It blended into the sweater pretty well. Then there was the young lady at Masada, she looked to be in her late teens with a baby on one hip, and a semi-automatic pistol on the other, but I digress... <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks everyone.

I forgot all about bandana's, probably would leave my sun glasses in my car, and remembered the ear plugs until we were on the plane.

The only suggestion that I have reservations about is the self-defense knife. That is because with my unbelievable knife-fighting skills, unbelievably bad that is. I would stand a better chance trying to run, and I am really slow. I would be far better off it I could get my attacker to meet me with rapiers. I fenced in college, thirty mumble years ago.

When I get this all compiled and digested, I'll post my carry decisions for comment. I will gladly take additional suggestions at any time.

Thanks again.

Seth