Why even carry a survival kit everyday?

The reason for carrying pocket gear is three fold.

First is time.
Sure I can start a fire by rubbing 2 Boy Scouts together. Standard primitive skills training. Scenario I just fell through the ice. I'm soaking wet and my cloths are freezing stiff. The seconds or minutes between using a match or lighter versus constructing a bow drill and getting the fire going. That little bit of time could mean the difference. So gear buys you the time it takes to make the tool to make the tool you need.

Second is quality.
Sure I can make a cutting implement from the things I could find around me. But a steel knife blade works a lot better and lasts longer.

Third is confidence.
If TSHTF tell me you will not feel more self assured just knowing that the gear is available. That alone may make the problem smaller. At least in your mind and therefore easier to over come. Remember panic can kill you quicker than just about anything else. Just the time of breaking open a kit puts your mind in survival mode thinking. It keys your thinking from the situation back to your training.

By this do I mean forget learning primitive skills HE Double hockey sticks NO!!!

The skills are a great back up if your gear is lost, damaged or inadequate. Also if things last longer than expected they can improve your lot in the situation. Is gear the end all be all. No. You can only carry so much. How you use it, the skills to use it and the ability to make what you need from what is available is how you survive.

To City dwellers that think Pocket survival kits are only for country people. I can give you at least 2 easily foreseeable scenarios for daily carry pocket kits. If you are in a city office 1 A major storm or earthquake comes about without warning. 2 A race riot. Remember Rodney King?

In either case your car is destroyed so no equipment other than what you have on you is available. Yes you have had the fore thought to stash a kit in your office. To bad you where at lunch down the street when the problem started and can’t get back All power lines are down so no electricity. This means no lights, no heat, and no phones. Cell phones don't work if there's no power to run the system or the system is just completely overloaded. And water main has broken and no pressure because the power to the pumping stations is out so you have no guaranteed clean water. Do to the problems even if you could reach them the authorities have more problems than just worry about you. Wouldn't be nice to be able to take care of yourself at least until they can get around to you be it several hours or days.

To start off with how do you get out of the office or the restaurant you were in with no lights? Reach into your pocket and pull out your flashlight of choice [Photon Microlight, Sapphire light, Mag Lite, Infinity ETC.] and find your way out. You are now one step ahead of the riot mobs or the displaced mobs from the storm or earthquake.

How do you get home? Answer: Walk. Taxicabs, busses and trains are probably not working at this time. Hopefully the shoes that you are wearing look dressy for your work but are comfortable for walking. Now what you need on your walk home. How long is this going to take. Remember you may have detour around areas that were affected by the original problem or other people that may be unfriendly to you. Which may cause it to take up to several days. Since the water supply has been damaged or contaminated you might need to purify some water to get a healthy drink. if you drink contaminated water you can now have a major case of diarrhea. This can cause serious dehydration to your system. So yes you can die thirst in the middle of a city.

On your long trek home wouldn't it be nice to start a fire at least for comfort and warmth. You could also cook the pond fish or park squirrel you caught with the supplies in your kit. Remember that daytime and nighttime temperatures can vary 30 to 40 degrees with a 10 or 20-degree wind chill factor. To make matters worse is now raining you are soaked. So that nice 70 degree day you started out with is now the equivalent of ten degrees. Have you ever heard of hypothermia.

The large plastic bags can serve as shelter or a poncho It will block the rain and wind And help hold in your body heat. Smaller bags can carry the water you purified.

The first aid portion of a kit can clean that cut you managed to acquire somewhere in your wanderings. It could develop into a life threatening infection in a short time. Remember if we are talking a major disaster. What medical services that are available are going to be more concerned with far more seriously injured people.

Most components of in a kit can be used in many ways. Fishing line can also be used as thread to repair damage clothing.
Snare wire can be used for so many things it would take too long to list.
Multi-tools and pocket knives, how many things may need cut, bent, screwed, filed, or open that can of beans you just found.

True after a disaster you could probably pick up many odds and ends on your trip. With luck it might even be a fairly complete kit. But these things are something you can’t count on. A daily pocket carry kit gives you a minimum start on the essentials.

This is not meant to insult those that live in the city. It’s just that due to their normal work environment [Offices] and normal dress mode find kit carrying somewhat more awkward. Because of this start to think do I really need to carry equipment on me. The answer to that as you can see is a resounding YES.

Now I admit that most of the people that post on any survival type board tend to live in more rural settings and see a greater need for carrying a little more equipment on our person. Also probably most of us have been in situations were without what we carried have been seriously instead of an inconvenient happening. And by the same token have thought it would've been nice to have, fill in the blank, and added a few more things to our kits.

Also being a gadget person I like my toys and to have them with me.

I've always worked on the conclusion from the great prophet Murphy himself:"If it can go wrong, it will go wrong" coupled with hard earned findings that "the day you really need something is the day you've left it at home." Carrying everyday means you've never left it at home.

Johno

Has this happened to you? I find myself setting out without my EDC. It's just a quick jaunt to take out the trash, or I'm only driving up the street a few blocks to get gas. I don't really need to go back and get my gear, do I?

Then I wonder how I'd feel if an emergency arose and I had to report to the list that I didn't have my EDC with me and had to improvise.

Inevitably, I go back and get my gear.

In other words, being a member of this group, feeling somewhat accountable to the group to demonstrate the value of what I've learned here, makes me more determined not to "fail" -- or at least not to miss the opportunity to test my kit and make a good post.

Bear

And to think most New Yorkers still walk around without so much as a Photon II, even after last summer's blackout. I just don't know. What do you have to do other than blackout a city to get people's attention? A microlight and a tiny folding knife can be carried inobtrusivley, but they simply don't bother.

I have ceased referring to my EDC as a survival kit. The word "survival" has become threatening and somehow means you have a bowie knife stashed on your person. I use the phrase "convenience kit" or "comfort kit."

If you say "survival," someone is apt to become frightened and say, you mean you've got a KNIFE on you?

If you say "convenience," and mention your first aid kit, floss, and flashlight, no one feels threatened and no one says anything.

I just refer to my EDC as my EDC. By the time you explain thet this means every day carry the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. have forgotten what the problem is and the "survival" vs "comfort" arguement never comes up <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Usually you get asked why you bother carrying a torch and knife (I usually omit mentioning most of my EDC) and you explain how useful they are in an emergency (re blackout) then the other person usually responds with that sounds like a good idea. They still never bother getting up off their fat behinds and actually carrying anything useful though. <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

what survival kit ? i just got a EDC !
a PSK is to impractical for me, i carry most componses anyways.

I usually don't even say EDC. I have been asked what does that mean. I usually simply say "convenience kit," and no one says a word.

thats as good an explanation as I have ever heard. I get a razzing from everyone who sees me with my gear but if I doint have it with me, I feel absolutley naked. I have actaully used mine a few times, not in survival scenarios, but as a convience or repair type situation while I was in the yard or out hunting!

god thread,

Garrett

PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER.! I love that. I have always thought that most people go around life doing what everyone else is doing and thinking what they are told to think. Like sheep. PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER.. Thanks for the word. Hope you don't mind if I use it. I promise to give you credit.

As for me personally, I carry a bit more than most would. I too like to have my gadgets with me. I carry a shoulder bag, and have my PSK, my FAK, Surefire, Cell phone, book, power bar, MP3 player as well as some other goodies in it. The bag is fairly small and unobtrusive. My work and home are 33 miles apart and I feel much safer knowing I have my stuff. My fiance' refers to the bag as my "man purse", but she is quick to ask for my fingernail clippers, or lip balm when she is with me. I also think about the recent fire in Chicago that killed over 6 people. These people were stuck in a stairwell, no lights. Scared. Perhaps if they had had a small flashlight they could have gotten out.

Bear,
I know the feeling. My wife would be all over me if I left my kit at home, after all of my preaching about being prepared, not to mention the money spent on my gear fetish. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As someone new to this fourm who happens to live in a large city, I appreciate you taking the time to note a couple of good reasons why EDC items and a PSK are essential even in the city.

I had zero interest in being prepared for "survival" prior to 9/11, but after I experienced all the chaos and confusion first hand (from a few miles distance), my thinking changed. In general, for my work in sales I need to be prepared for a variety of different situations, from responding to hospitals with product questions to consulting with doctors in the operating room. I always carried what I needed: brochures, demo items, charts, scientific papers and so on. If I could be prepared for work, why shouldn't I be prepared for really important things - like me and my family staying alive and well? I realized that I should be prepared in the same way to manage unexpected survival issues at home, in my car and on my person.

In the weeks following 9/11 I did extensive research on the subject and was lucky enough to find this website. I put together a 72 hour kit at home, developed a car kit and created PSKs for both me and my wife. The home kit was the easiest since space and weight were not such big issues, I just had to decide what to include. I must say, Doug's extensive work in this area made my life much easier.

The car kit wasn't too bad, but I had to develop a security method since I couldn't just leave it in my trunk. Let me elaborate: for my work I drive around NYC and call on hospitals and doctors. When you park in the city, you park in parking garages that are staffed by attendants that park your car for you and retain your keys. You just pull in and they take it from there. I probably park in 3-5 garages a day. Right after I stocked my first car kit with several items in the glove box, and in the trunk, I came back one time and the Leatherman Juice that was on my keychain was missing. The attendant claimed there wasn't one there. To say I was angry would be a huge understatement. The manager said they couldn't be responsible and I was out my Leatherman. No less than a week later, I went to use my Surefire from the glove box and what a surprise, it was missing. Since I park in so many places who would I even call? (disclaimer: I think most of the attendants are honest hard working guys and my experiences are hopefully not typical) I was really disheartened by these thefts and resolved not to let them deter my stocking a car kit.

To solve these issues, I got a split key ring on a small carabiner and now only leave the ignition key. My car kit is in a backpack and duffel bag chained in the trunk with a combo lock with the zippers closed with even smaller combo locks. I haven't had anything taken since then.

Since I carry a soft nylon briefcase with me everywhere, I am able to carry my PSK easily. My EDC items are on my keychain or in my pockets all the time. Let me say the Photon was very convenient during the blackout. It takes time for hospital secondary power to kick in.

The next challenge I faced was equipping my wife. She also works in the city, but in an office setting, traveling to and from work on the subway. I convinced her that the office kit would be completely unobtrusive, she could just keep it under her desk. The EDC items were a bigger deal since she wasn't about to stuff her pockets. We compromised and now carries everything in her purse which goes with her everywhere. I also stocked her keychain with additional items, (Photon, Fox40 mini, Leatherman Juice) for good measure. She is not nearly as "into" this as me but she does recognize the value of being prepared. She has actually used a few of the items for repair.

So with all that said, I think you always need to be prepared regardless of your rural, suburban or city location. If you are not carrying it with you, it won't do you any good. Thanks for your thoughtful post.

Jeez !! (as you guys might say) Glad I don't live in N.Y.!!!

here's my 2cents worth. one night at the terminal i work at a car crashed into a transformer and power was compromised to half the terminal well out came the old "aurora light" and well it provided eyes when there was none

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> are you my long-lost brother?

I carry everything you do in a Fatboy "man purse". My PSK is a mutated Penrith kit with the fishhooks and a couple of other "country" things removed. Instead I put in $20 in bills, a real signaling mirror, and some Gerber plastic bags.

I am seriously thinking of a small CPR kit. Last time I had to give CPR, I had to clean a great deal of vomit out the guy's mouth.

Feel free to use the word PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER.. Can't take credit for it myself though. Its in common use on the British Blades forums (populated by mainly hobbyist knife makers and collectors/users) which is where I picked it up. If you think carrrying an EDC gets you funny looks in the US try being in the UK where most people view carrying any sort of knife except a leatherman or SAK as being roughly equivalent to carrying an assault rifle. And I'm not exagerating either.

Your right the term PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. has been around a LONG time - the Knife and gun groups have used the term for what seems like forever

Well if things keep going the way they have been around here, it seems as if it won't be long until our country is a lot like yours. I get pissed that I can't carry my gun. I think I would freak if I couldn't carry a knife longer than 3 inches. At least I don't live in the City of Chicago which has outlawed gun ownership completely. Seems as if the Second Ammendment means nothing anymore. Well, you can apply for a permit to have one in your home, they just haven't issued any permits in about 15 years. (ok I am getting off my soap-box now)

A Maxpedition Fat-Boy is what I carry as well. I attach a M-2 small pouch when I need to carry extra stuff. Maybe we could be long lost brothers, I was born in Aurora, CO.

DBAGuy,
My wife is slowly coming around to my "preparedness thing", although she uses the orange mini-fox 40 whistle as a visual "key finder". She's still not convinced about carrying a SAK or a multitool. BTW, I think "Office Space" could have been based on my last job. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

iljeepguy,

Come on back home. CO is a "shall issue" state. As long as you dont mind getting fingerprinted and photographed (and MUST take a gun course), you can get a CCW (standard disclamers apply). I also have an M2 for the same reason.

Joegreen,

I think many of us techies can relate to "Office Space" <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
My wife expects me to take care of everything survival-related. However, I expect her to tell me when I am going too far (so far so good)