I expected to hear at least one tale of a brave and prepared soul who led others to safety using nothing more than the Photon II he or she always carries.

Instead, all I hear is tale after tale of people walking through tunnels and down stairwells in complete darkness.

Does that mean that not one person in NYC carries a Photon II? Does that mean people are still as unprepared for emergencies as ever?

Please tell me I'm wrong.

I predict flashlights will replace gas masks as the new haute culture item for next season's fashion must haves. Photon 11 ear rings and tie tacks for that braided black evening paracord tie <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It simply amazes me how unprepared people are for the unexpected when it's inexpensive to take simple precautions.

Hah there is a lady in my office who wears an Arc light around her neck. Everyone asks questions about it and talks behind her back how crazy she is. Since it kind off stands out next to her id card. I asked her about it because I have the same one. So we chatted for a while, I showed her my psk, fak and set of lights (arc, m6 and inova). She became a superstar in the office after lights went out. People went thru two wtc bombings, snow storms, heat waves and they are still unprepared. What will it take, nuclear blast?

Hi Craig - from what I saw, most people still don't carry anything. My snippet was from an aboveground subway stop - it was daylight, but the stairwell down was pitch black (something like six stories high). If I was to guesstimate, about 1 out of 10 people had a keychain light, Photon-size or thereabouts. I had an Arc LSH, so I was shining my light from the bottom of one stairwell/escalator to the top of the next one, and another guy walked by me and posted himself at the top of next stairwell and guided people down with light. That was totally spontaneous, I have no idea who that guy was, but he took on the role to help out because he had a flashlight.
So yeah, at least some people have them - and soon a lot more will. I have several friends looking to add some flashlights to their purses/pockets now.
Dave

I think part of it stems from faulty reasoning. If you believe the lights could go out, then they will.

If you don't feel like carrying one, you rationalize your unpreparedness by thinking, ah, the lights won't go out but if they do, they'll be back on in a jiffy.

If you carry a flashlight, then you believe the lights may go out. If you don't carry one, then you don't think the lights will go out, but that person who is carrying one believes in the frailty of the system.

People don't like seeing the system's potential shakiness manifested by anyone's being prepared. To them, it seems as though they are unprepared and that makes them nervous, which they act upon by joking about or making light of the prepared person.

I don't know if I've explained my thoughts clearly here, but I sure have experience with that sort of mindset. Grin.

I love how people prepare AFTER something happens.

When I was in the Boy Scouts (a long time ago in a galaxy...well you know) the meaning of "Be Prepared" was drilled into us.

The concept of not being prepared was kind of humiliating. It showed a lack of planning and foresight on your part. I usually felt as though I had failed in some way.

The kid who did not plan was odd man out. Now that I'm an adult, that seems to have turned around.

people just think that nothing can happen to them. SO they are un-prepared. Uncle sam is gonna help us if something happends, in there mind.

It's funny on how being prepaired is so unfashionable.That is until the prepaired One comes through in a tight spot.I get the same jeers from friends or coworkers.But when I pull out exactly the thing they need most they are most apreciative. One time a coworker tore his pants open in a rather embarassing location. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> he was all smiles when I pulled from my wallet a needle and thread...

-Like buying a bike light, vest and helmet after crashing
-Like buying radar detector after speeding ticket (kinda)
-Like putting your seatbelts on after a ticket (kinda)
-Like buying the flashlight after the blackout
-Like buying a Personal Floatation device after near drowning
-Like getting a tetnus shot after you went tar surfing on your bike
-Like taking malaria pills after comming back from the trip
-Like putting sun screen lotion on after you got burned
-Like changing and checking engine oil after you got hit with overhaul bill
-Like using anti conception pills and condoms after you got pregnant


I'm too tired to write more...

Matt