This really is a "to each his own" kind of question, but I do think it is legitimate. Each of us can imagine the differences among the different forum participants -- for example, someone might find it more relaxing to whittle, and wouldn't know what to do with a Playstation 2 if their life depended on it. Us city slickers are more accustomed to external entertainment than using our imaginations. So the need to be prepared for any emergency should include the need for reducing stress at opportune moments. To that end, I will add my $.02 to Benjamin's question.

I think that dual-use things are quite appropriate here. The survival playing cards is a great example, as is the radio, as they both provide information and entertainment. I would also include (and I know this will get some snickers) extra condoms if your emergency situation will include a significant other. If anyone has ever seen the episode of MASH where Hawkeye and Hotlips are trapped in the shelter while the bombs are falling, you'll know what I mean. Close proximity when sharing warmth, stressful situations, and/or fear of losing loved ones are great for generating a need for distraction, and passion fits the bill quite nicely. You might as well prepare for it. Those with kids should have small travel games and books ready to go.

People who enjoy the "bushcraft" activities described in other responses ought to include the items necessary for that activity. Why not? If braiding cord helps you relax enough to refocus, then go for it. If knitting works for you, then include a small pair of needles and a ball of yarn (BTW, I can think of dual uses for those, too).

Bottom line: do what you need to get through the situation. If you need toys, hobby items, whatever, to keep from going crazy in a crisis, then include them in your preparations.

I totally agree with dBu24

One of the disasters I was in was an earthquake. 20k people died.
The house was well constructed and suffered only moderate damage.

I can tell you that SURVIVAL was on my mind, not some silly game.

Ever try to play cards while the ground is shaking due to aftershocks? Ever hear really LOUD aftershocks?

(yes, I also lived in L.A. ... if thats the worst, I aint impressed)

Very well said...we need to hear more from you, thanks.

Troy

That's like arguing that, because you once got stranded on the shores of an Alaskan lake, that you don't understand why finding water has anything to do with survival. Or because you once got shipwrecked on a desert island on the equator, you don't see what starting a fire or building a shelter has to do with survival.

In some types of survival situation, being bored is not a problem; in others, it could be life-threatening. (Never heard of "Cabin Fever"?)

Okay, maybe one more anecdote might make some sense here...

I left elk camp well prepared. I had all the right gear, and was ready for anything. Anything is what happened, and 10 miles from camp at 3:00pm on a snowy November day, I broke my leg. Thus disabled for the night, I got my leg splinted okay. I managed to pitch my shelter in a suitable windbreak where an abundance of twigs and branches quickly became a cookfire for some water and soupfixins. Laying at the mouth of my tent, I had little else to do but be bothered by the pain in my leg. I took my meds and pulled out my harmonica and proceeded to learn how to play yet another tune (Emmylou Harris' "Away beyond the Blue"). An hour later, I was able to fall asleep after putting a few more branches into the fire. The next morning, I awoke, turned my radio back on, and within about an hour heard my hunting buddy calling for me on it.

I was lucky in a lot of ways. The harmonica did not take the pain away, but it got my mind off the pain and thinking about something other than my sad state. I stayed calm while I was dealing with my survival issues, and I remained calm after there was nothing else left to do for the night thanks to the harmonica. I am sure if I had playing cards, it would've been about as distracting, although there really wasn't enough light to play by, and I didn't want to overuse my flashlight batteries.

Anyways, survival isn't always about facing life or death actions each and every moment. You take care of what you have to, and if you can't extricate, then you may have some time on your hands with nothing really to do for a bit. It may not be all the time, or even some of the time, but it can occur. It is nice to have something to do that isn't based on do or die mentality. If you think survival is only when you are in a grotto full of gators and snakes with no way out, you may have missed the point. I would agree, nontheless, that situation is also a survival one. A rather immediate, extreme one at that, and I wouldn't think of pulling my harmonica out then, unless it was to play tapps as I went down in the pile for the last time.

I'm rather stunned that none of you employ a time-tested technique for passing time while surviving: you paint a face on a soccer ball and you then have a friend to talk to.

Wilson!!!!!!!!!!!

I've Read Previous Posts which Talked of Using Condoms for Carrying Water. So there is a Dual Use there, too. Though I'm Not one to Exactly Encourage it, -I Know that "Houlihan and Hawkeye" Situations in the Ways you've Described, -Can Occur.

And Oh Yeah!, -If one could Take Along a Small Something, -to Keep any Kids Present Contented and Occupied!, -That would be Great too! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Getting There[/email]

i got to agree here, assuming the emergency part of your situatuation is passed, (you bandaged any wounds built a shelter, got some food etc).

then mostly what you have to do is WAIT, and then the mind wanders and thats usually not good, we all know the psychology of survival is as important as anything else if not more so.

so for those who suggested bringing cards or something (maybe in your b.o.b or emergency pack if its a small item).
its not about them camping comfortably, its more about them trying to do something in the downtime of a situation if there is any, to keep from going stir crazy or depressed with negativie thoughts they are bound to have.

I agree, too. I feel it's important to have these "distractions", especially in a scenario where you have kids involved. Anyone who's endured a long car ride with kids has probably played "Are we there yet?" When the batteries die in their Gameboys, it won't take long for them to get bored, and having a deck of cards might kill some time.