Peer disapproval of emergency gear is a real, if odd fact of the effort. People want to believe our society will take care of them in any natural or human catastrophy. Remember that Cassandra was gifted with seeing the future and cursed by nobody believing her. You are saying "We may have to care for ourselves" and people do not like that. Many of us become silent survivalists, preparing for that unkown clamity when we emerge from the mist like a ancient hero to save the day. This is a big part of the Militia mindset; hide and cache the #10 lima beans while boasting online about the gun collection <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> The other option is to slowly explain your motivation while giving an equally healthy dose of everyday life interests. Hopefully something simple like a power failure will win them over. Years ago I was in a archaeological survey in the Northwest. I carried an elegant Mauser rifle with no rational need. The bears left me alone and I returned the complement. Bigfoot was nowhere to be seen and it was to powerfull for tree squirrels. I was ostracized by the entire team. Suddenly we blundered onto a marijuana crop complete with boobytraps and a gun toting grower. We made a rapid egress as he came roaring down in a Jeep. One shot flattened his tire. Our indian monitor grabbed the rifle and reloaded. I didn't have time to explain the double set triggers as his shot went high and into the gas line <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I was a VERY popular person to walk with the rest of the season. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />