Hey there everyone,

I've been putting together my very first survival kit, with necessary items to take care of myself and (I'm trying) for my college friends in case we're together in a survival situation (as would be most likely). The thing is, whenever people see my survival items (the FAK, the knives, the water purification tablets, etc.), they look at me funny and ask why I would need such things. When I tell them it is all for "possible survival situations" they act like I'm crazy. I try explaining preparedness to them but it makes things worse, like they think I'm being paranoid. While I don't mind the responsibility of putting together a kit that could help us out in a bad time, they do make me feel a little self-conscious. Is there any better way of handling this?

Thanks - I know you guys would understand me.

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="" />

Cristina,

I am surrounded by people who thought I was crazy but have asked me for things so many times that they no longer make comments.

How about these...

"I don't like to feel helpless when I see someone who needs help."

"I used to carry an AK-47 in the trunk of my car but I've gotten slack in my level of preparedness. Now I'm only able to handle those things which come up on a DAILY basis."

"I carry all this stuff because you have no foresight of your own."

Back in PA I have a carry permit. I get lots of abuse about it from certain people. The best come-back I ever heard was this.

"Miss, have YOU ever been bound hand and foot, beaten uncounscious and left to die in a ditch?"

"No."

"Well, I haven't either but I'd imagine it would suck."

Be creative,

Mac

IMHO just don't expose your survival items and keep a low profile about it. Show them only when there is a need. Everybody will think they are invaluable then.

Being prepared is rational but not many of the people around.

Burak

print this or something similar from here and hand it out to anyone who asks then point them them to this site for further detailed conversation. You may have some converts but atleast you will be able to show that Big Brother wants us to take care of ourselves since He can't do it for us. Sometimes when you are dealing with people who think "that can't / won't happen / happen to me" the most scary thing you can tell them is that the government doesn't think that they can prevent it from happening and publishes information for them to take care of themselves.

one thing i learned at is school: don't tell them !
been there, done that, seen it....
after awile i just kept a low profile and folks begin to forget about mine stuff... but some folks still knows it and still makes fun out of it <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> also the fact that they sometimes say "we who to follow if something happends" doesnt really sounds good to me...

Keep your preparations to yourself, whether we're we're talking your PSK/FAK or the backup generator behind the garage. Peer pressure is a funny thing, it might even tempt you to leave your equipment behind to avoid ridicule or questions. The only time anyone else needs to be aware of your readiness is when there is an actual need for your readiness. Until then discretion should be the watchword. At least that's what experience has taught me and it's the rule that I now live by.

Ed

Wow, special thanks to everyone who replied! That was a real morale booster for me.

I will take to heart all of the valuable advice given here, and remember what my Pops (ex-military who knows, understands, and supports what I'm doing) has said as well about keeping a low-profile. I'm doing what I can considering the close-quarters lifestyle of college dormatories.

Thanks again!

I don't know what you're doing, but I generally side with the folks who just say not to talk about it.

I get into awkward situations when someone comes by and says "do you have a knife?", or "is there a pair of pliers around?".

This seems ridiculous (and I've mentioned it here before), but I find people react noticably better when I refer to it as an "emergency kit" rather than a "survival kit". Silly, and just semantics, but survivalism has been demonized to the extent that people react that way. In explaining an "emergency" kit I can just mention that I've gone through long power outages, or been stranded with a broken-down vehicle, both true.

Hi Christina,

Sometimes it is as easy as using the right words. The word "Survival" has gotten a bad rap and to some has connotations of fatigue wearing survivalists held up in the woods, armed to the teeth in defense of their stash of beans & rice.

Try "Emergency Kit". That will sound much more “normal” to many people and also may get you thinking about items useful for the kind of emergencies you are likely to encounter. After all, how may of us often get stranded on a desert island? But earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods, power outages, and Backstreet Boys concerts happen with frightening frequency. How well are you prepared for these survival … whoops, I mean, these emergency situation?

Now if you will excuse me, my beans & rice are getting cold.

Dave