After deciding my kids needed some minimal emergency "stuff" with them when they are at school or on their way to or from same, I found out it was a lot harder than I thought to equip them for several reasons:
1) If I get them really good quality stuff, with the high probability that it will be lost or loaned in short order, I will be reluctant to replace it right away like a good preparedness nut should.
2) If I get them junk, it may not work when they need it the most and I'm not there to help them.
3) Schools are getting almost as bad as airports with what they will and won't let kids keep in their backpacks.
4) Wearing a whistle around your neck is not "cool." It is very, very, very important to be perceived as "cool" when you are in school, so the emergency stuff has to be out of sight.
So - I compromised. Went to Lowe's Home Improvement and bought two plastic snap hooks with attached split rings and two Eveready disposable squeeze lights, no. SL240BP. Also placed an order for two Acme Tornado whistles from Ranger Rick's, because they glow in the dark and are therefor "cool."
Total cost - $5.50 for each unit, and they will be clipped to an inside key ring loop in each backpack, out of sight but available for instant use.
Still, I was yearning for Photon IIs and Fox 40s!

Hi,

The first step is always the hardest, you've taken it...Great Job!

Having a light is less likely to be questioned in most schools considering the events of the last several weeks. Nobody wants to be left in the dark. The whistles are also identified on other US gov. websites as suggested items so there is a strong justification already existing, the schools should not have much issue with these items. Presuming of course that nobody "cries wolf" or other unwarranted use occurs.

Re: Not PhotonII and Fox 40, let them start wearing their "school kits" for school...if lost/loaned/confiscated etc. they can let you know, they'll have learned a lesson. In the meantime, make a second "wear at home, traveling kit" with the better gear. This might tend to show them that you REALLY care, especially if the items are the same as Mom & Dad wear.

Please consider (if you haven't already) only using lanyards with "breakaways" on them. Hate to have the class clown/bully or innocent friend pull on the lanyard and choke the wearer.

Another point to try to make the wearer aware of is that even though they are not feeling choking, it is possible to have the blood cut off from their head by anything wrapped or pulled tightly around their neck, IRRC it takes about 5-7 seconds to occur. Don't let them sleep wearing their gear. Having a couple of kids myself, I know the fine line a parent has to walk to encourage safety and situational awareness in kids.

Regards,
Comanche7

Another idea for a breakaway system that I saw:

1) Burn the ends of (synthetic) cord to make them hard
2) Take a short (1 inch) piece of surgical tubing with a diameter just thinner than that of the cord.
3) insert each end of cord into each side of the tube to join the lanyard
4) test for the right tension, and fiddle to fine tune it

I havn't tested this method in the field, but it seems an effective idea.

For children though, why not try get hold of "dog tags" that they use in the army. they have identification tabs, a built in breakaway system (I think), and they have the whole """cool"" army/military/tough guy look.

my 2c

WOFT,

Great thoughts, thanks for sharing them.

Comanche7

Why not involve the school itself? When everyone has a kit peer approval is eliminated. One drill with the lights off is enought to show their validity. Given the popularity of chem lights at raver parties they should be readilly accepted.

That's a good idea, Chris. Since most of the local power base send their kids to our school, we have a lot more friends in the private sector who might be willing to donate or sell at low cost. I'm going to pursue this.
And BTW, the school dress code prohibits wearing anything around the neck other than a small charm, etc. ... although I personally think a glow in the dark Fox 40 makes an excellent fashion statement!

WOFT,

Dog tag chains dont have built in break away links, but are designed to break on their own to prevent choking if caught on something. NOT THAT IS WONT HURT IF THE CHAIN IS CAUGHT UP! Trust me on that one.

just my 2 cents

Garrett

Thanks for pointing that one out.

Re: break-away lanyards

The local office supply store (OK, Staples isn't all that local) sells break-away lanyards for corporate ID cards. Cheap but priced accordingly. I don't mind cheap lanyards because they're *supposed* to break.

Hi!
One of the things that got me into the survival thing as a kid was a childrens book by Usbourne. It was part of a series of essential skill books that included things like football (soccer)!!

This book covered survival skills in various wilderness climates as well as home safety (what to do in the event of fire etc.) and urban survival (self defence techniques, what not to do advice e.g. don't walk down a dark alley on your own at night and what to do advice e.g. tell someone where you're going, if in doubt stay at your friends house and get the bus in the morning). It also gave advice on what to include in survival kits (the infamous PSK) as well as larger car kits and hiking kits and FAKs.

I can't remember the exact title (I'll look it up when I get home) nor do I know if its still available. It had colourful illustrations in the way that all Usbourne books have and I thought it was great!

It might get your kids thinking about things and preparing from their own initiative.