It is ironic that urban survival section just started days before this nation's worst tragedy. One distinction I'd hope the forum makes in this new direction is that it focus upon "survival in an urban environment" vs. "Survivalists." As has been mentioned in the past, there are other sites better suited for the latter’s topic.<br><br>I work in a tall building downtown Chicago. It's about a half-mile south of the Hancock Center and a mile north of the Sears Tower. The Aon building, formally the Standard Oil Building is about a half-mile east and little south of me. While I doubt that my building would have been a viable target for a terrorist attack, such as Tuesday's, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities. <br><br>There are several lessons I have learned as a result of Tuesday's event.<br><br>While our building was not closed, most folks left for home anyway. I filled up my water bottle and grabbed a small juice bottle from a conference room where a scheduled meeting never took place. I put both in my backpack and kept it nearby in case I had to "bug out" in a hurry.<br><br>I have a few other items in my backpack, such as spare meds and small penknife (key chain type). I also have screwdriver with interchangeable tips , spare keys and glasses (I wear contacts). I also keep my key ring and train pass in there. Finally, there are misc. work related items (mail, pens, paper, etc.)<br><br>Tuesday I realized how vulnerable I am. I was not in any danger, but we never know how or when we may be put into a situation of danger, and I am not properly prepared.<br><br>I am going to prepare a small kit for storage here at work. In an emergency situation, I'll swap out my laptop for the emergency kit (easy choice <s>). So I'm thinking of getting a plastic storage box, like a Plano fish tackle box that’s roughly the same size and shape. That way it will fit into the backpack, which is designed for laptops, in the same compartment.<br><br>I usually fill up my water bottle from the fountain (bubbler for those in WI.) right before I leave so it's nice and cold. I will now leave it full at all times. Then I will water my plants at the end of the day and refill it so it's nice and cold for the train ride home.<br><br>Among the items in the kit I will include several paper respirator masks. The images of folks fleeing the WTC and of the rescue crews gasping from the dust and smoke are enough to convince me that it's a necessity. (BTW, which organization in NYC had the foresight to stock thousands of them, available within minutes of the tragedy?). I think a pair of eye goggles are also in order.<br><br>I am also reconsidering getting a cell phone. My wife has one but I don't since I'm usually near a phone all day long. At home I grab her's when needed. But I now see it as a real valuable communication device in an emergency.<br><br>A whistle, Photon light, and candy bars will also see their way in the kit or on my person. I'm going to scan through the list of survival kit items to see what makes sense for this type of kit. Some items I will not keep in the plastic container as they should be in the pack or on my person at all times, like the photon and the whistle.<br><br>As a subset kit, I'm also going to give some though to what I should have that's more portable. It's quite conceivable that I may be in a meeting on a different floor than my kit and may have to evacuate in an emergency, such as a fire. I am not going to make my way back to my office in such a circumstance, I am going to exit the building. So I have my pockets to consider and my little leather case I carry my Palm in, that's usually with me at every meeting. Maybe it's time to start a new fashion trend, a smart looking leather fanny pack for business dress!<br><br>Anyway, sorry for the long message. I'll stop now and go fill up my water bottle.<br><br><br><br><br>Willie Vannerson<br>McHenry, IL