Here's a question for the ladies ( or the guys that have had any luck in the area ), how do I get my wife to show more interest in the preparedness mindset???

well I can tell you what I did. Se isnt on the same page as I am, but she is getting there. I woul buy her little gifts, not tied to any special days, just little surprises. I started in her car with a 2 D Cel maglite and some other traffic stuff. Then I got her a SAK compact and I am going to get her a photon this month. I alos showed her howed to use my stuff in case she ever needed it. I also tell her about the different things I read on here. Most of it she just rolls her eyes, but there are somethings that she takes to heart.

THats what I did. I hope it helps.

Garrett

I got my wife a photon and a mini fox 40 for her keychain. Her sister had some bad experiences in NYC during 9/11 and the blackout so she doesn't mind being a little prepared. I also take every opportunity to point things out when we are watching TV or hiking. In fact, she also has a small tiny BOB she keeps in case she needs to get out of the house, which is actually more than I can say for myself. She built it last year when we were having tornado warnings.

For me the situation is reversed. I'm the one interested in preparedness and my boyfriend isn't. I haven't got any specific advice beyond keeping it jargon free! Things like PSK's and BOB's mean something to you and I but to most people its off-putting- it can sound a bit like its just "boys and their toys"! <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

From my point of view, some level of preparedness is common sense, things like having a mobile phone when driving/ travelling alone (for if I breakdown or get stranded), plasters (bandaids) in my handbag for when I cut myself, lip balm, a pen and paper, tissues, attack alarm, aspirin etc. I started to acquire stuff as I needed it. In my experience, most women that carry handbags start to accrue this stuff overtime anyway.

Preparedness as discussed on this forum takes it up to the next stage of considering what you need BEFORE you need it. That was the mental shift I made. I started carrying a torch on my keyring so I could find the keyhole in the dark - I'd previously just fumbled around until I unlocked the door. (The many scratches around the lock attest to that!) Now I wouldn't be without it, and it has so many more uses than I thought of and makes life just that little bit easier.

Don't even get me started on the greatness of duct tape!! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And I've found that its a mindset that starts invading. Things like BOB's and PSK's are the next step and seem just as logical as having tissues for when my nose runs in the cold. Its a slippery slope!! <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hope my meandering thought's help,

I approach it from my wife's point of view. What does she think she needs. What would she carry every day. And she is a tough customer. Any gadget had better prove its worth on the spot.

I tried to promote the PrincetonTec Blast over the Photon II because I like the concentrated beam. No sale. She went with the Photon II because she can use it with one hand (one arm may be holding groceries) and it is very lightweight.

As a matter of fact, no woman I have discussed this with (mom, aunt, sister in law) has chosen the Blast. The Photon II wins every time.

Guys love the gimmick factor. If I have to put the groceries down to twist a bezel and turn a light on, I will. No problem. To the women, that's the deal-killer.

The differences between genders continue to fascinate me.

I have tried to get my wife and my friends into the mind-set of being prepared and with the exception of a couple of ex-boyscout types have had no luck. OTOH, if any of them borrow from my EDC then that item is their next gift on the next gift giving occasion. In this manner I have convinced my wife to carry a FAK, multi-tool, flashlight, whistle and water. ( in the bargain I no-longer find myself without my gear because it was left with the last person to borrow it.) Oddly enough the last thing that I lost in my wifes car because she borrowed it was my hair-brush. I have one of those that folds flat and fits nicely into a pocket - she had nothing.

wildcard163,

Welcome aboard ETS! Please enjoy your visits. Check out the search function on the site, be sure to use all dates and all threads as it will default to a much smaller search if left alone. By typing in key words and cruising around some of the older threads, one can dig up a bunch of information pretty quickly. To help out on your first search, key in the works shown in bold font below...

Check out this ETS forum thread from last summer [thread name is shown in bold font below and is dated 08/18/03 05:52 PM]. It is rather lengthy and provides several different insights on this subject towards the end of the thread. HTH

Why a WHISTLE is important.

Regards,
Comanche7

Thanks much for all the feedback everybody. The general idea seems to be to go SLOW, use a tack hammer, not dynamite. This has been my approach so far, I was just hoping someone might have "silver bullet" solution.

I know... inter-spouse/significant other... yea right.

Once again, thanks for the suggestions, and by the way, great thread, comanche7.

Till next time... keep smilin', they'll wonder what you're up to.

Troy

Well, I don't like to brag (Oh yes I do! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ) But, I put some emphasis on survival when searching for a girlfriend. I haven't quite come up with an ace, but she is really into archery, and camping and mountain biking. So, she really doesn't have a problem with even some of my more extreme or showy survivalist ways. So, there's my tip, although it doesn't really help all you "hooked" guys. But, perhaps keep it in consideration.

Also, try putting some 'cherries on top'. For example, when you buy them flowers, or chocolates, give them a knife so they can collect more flowers (You say, "I give you an infinite supply of flowers with this knife" or something like that.) or make it a small game of opening the box of candy with the knife. Perhaps you could make them a survival kit, and keep it with yours (which is with you) and if you ever get into some trouble, and you sig. oth. is there, then you can just hand it over, and get some well needed help.

You may want to use world events - like the N.E. blackouts. Talk with her about the blackout and what she would have done in the same situation. Then, as already mentioned, start slow. Like a Photon on her keychain. Or suggesting she keep a bottle of water around. Maybe keep a first-aid kit in the car and the house. Then build up from these small beginings. Don't start off telling her she needs a K-Bar! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />