The more I learn, the more it’s clear; being a survivor is a way of life, a state of mind. I see the world around me a bit differently and I think that’s the point. I notice where the exits are, where the fire extinguishers are and I find myself figuring out different “escape” routs should “something” happen. Hurray for me, I woke up a little! So it’s not just an emergency thing, it’s a constant awareness. My daydreaming is now all about the “What if?” game. I now carry the ETS kit with me. I carry a pocketknife, a bandana, and a flashlight. I don’t think it should (or can) stop there.
Now the point…sort of.
Many years ago I heard an expert talking about a recent plane crash. He was giving advice as to what an ordinary passenger can do to up their chances of surviving a crash. As you might expect it involved keeping your seatbelt fastened and knowing where the closest exit was. Surprising to me at the time, it also involved wardrobe. Leather shoes with full rubber soles (no nylon with plastic) no heel, natural fiber cloths long sleeves and long pants, no skirts for the ladies. The expert said, if you survive the crash itself you much more likely to get out alive if you’re wearing the right cloths and know where and how to get out. I took this message to heart and always consider it before flying. Isn’t this something we should think of all the time? Even for everyday fires (if there is such a thing) the proper cloths can mean the difference between lost body hair and plastic melted to the skin causing scaring burns.
In your opinion, what should the “everyday survivor” wear everyday? I know it’s different depending on the climate and type of work, but in light of some of the new “fashion” that’s out there (some of it looks down right dangerous), there has to be clothing that is more or less safe.
Thoughts, comments…smart remarks?

Doug talks about fire resistant cloting at http://www.equipped.org/shelter.htm He points out that wool and silk have natural flame resistant capabilities but not as good as Nomex and PBI fabric and links to http://www.bulwark.com/default.asp

I have found this:

http://www.polartec.com/movies/THERMALM.MOV
http://www.polartec.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/220

I don't know if they are easy to find (at surplus and in the auto racing industry according to Doug) or if they are affordable or if they have a nice look. But as far as fashion goes, the most important is the underwear anyway.

I guess a lambskin leather jacket is nice since it's also good for insulating.

François

We've had a series of hard rain and electrical storms here in Southern California with @ 4" average so far. I have my first cold of the season, which hardly seems fair. People are running from their cars in flip flops and gymn sweats only to pause at this wierdo in a flectarn poncho. But, these are people that solemnly explain this rain is from the tsunami in Asia. The wave reached our shores yesterday at a recorded hieght of 8" above normal. I always carry at minimum a wool watch cap and mittens in a jacket of some sort. There is a suprising amount of insulation in both the urban and natural world- as long as you have a system to stuff it in. I like wool and leather. Even summer wieght woolen clothing works well if the layering principle is remembered and silk or woolen light longjohns are very flexible. We can't always have the perfect wardrobe for every scenario. But we can give ourselves the vital edge to function long enough to escape immediate danger and then construct a shelter or fire.

I think flying on a comercial plane and every day wear are pretty different situations.

I tend to avoid *wearing* synthetics on planes for the reasons you mention, but have fleece and stuff in my pack with me (carry on). I also have a good light in my pocket with fresh batteries (typically a Surefire E2e). Consider the most likely situation is you are going to be stranded in some airport somewhere for a day or two with only the stuff in your carry on. My carry on reflects what I would need in that situation, including enough to keep me warm, something to nibble on, water, spare batteries, a little radio, GPS, first aid kit (razor removed!) including "comfort" meds like asprin and Tums, etc etc. While I don't have one, a heavy duty leather bomber jacket seems like it would be good on an airplane.

Normally, I would be inclined to wear fleece and other synthetics as weather dictates.

I tend to *always* wear good, sturdy boots. Everywhere. Here in the northwest, you don't even look out of place! :-) My Vasque Sundowners pretty much never leave my feet. Fairly light, decent ankle support, metal shank, semi-agressive soles and smooth leather to accept waterproofing (Snoseal or Nikiwax). Personally I tend to wear heavy cotton pants and a brushed cotton shirt. While these aren't the best when it comes to wet performance, they are fairly durable and socially acceptable. I temper that with clothes in my pack to make up the difference, including a Capeline expidition wt. top, silk wt., lt. fleece jacket, hats (Columbia Kazoo + OR Seattle Sombrero), gloves, hard shell, gloves, etc. Again, assume you are going to get stuck somewhere and all you have is what you have on you. Or assume you have to hoof it home from wherever you might be.

At least that is my approach to clothing. The upside is I can dress the same way pretty much all the time and I don't look too odd. At least until I open my backpack... :-O

-john

I don’t fly, but I hadn’t thought about fabrics other than insulation or how well they wear. I’m going to have to go back and check. Mostly I wear dockers or cargo pants and polo shirts. I do wear good boots and replace the laces with 550 cord. I carry at least two knives, one a Leatherman, Surefire, bandanas, string and wire in my pocket. Plus my PSK and a space blanket wrapped in a trash bag with more cordage in my belt. Vehicle has extra clothes plus seasonal BOB.

For flying, keep it simple: wear natural fibers that won't melt & shoes you can run in.

For a real-life survival scenario (Ma Nature + Mr. Murphy), I am firmly convinced that the SWHTF when you are wearing the most inappropriate clothing possible. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Like the hippies used to say, "It's just bad Karma, Man!"

Sue

If you go out in hot and humid weather in tee-shirt and flip-flops you should at least have a securely closed pocket to store your PSK. It could be a shirt front pocket with flaps and button closures or zippered pocket or cargo shorts.

I would even go so far as to say that you should have a secure pocket to store your PSK in your sleepwear. Yes you even have to sleep with your PSK if you want it to be justified! I mean a disaster could strike in the middle of the night. But I must be honest, I don't do that yet.

François

I'm beginning to wonder if there are Nomex sheets, pillows and pyjamas available...

I have taken to wearing boots most of the time I'm outdoors. I recently bought a pair of Cabela's "Gentleman's Upland Hunting Boots," at their store in PA (I have given up on buying boots from catalogs; I need to actually try them on before buying). The Cabela's are not just the most comfortable boots I've ever worn - they're the most comfortable shoe of any kind. Walking around work with all the other bureaucrats and minor functionaries tends to draw funny looks in a suit and hunting boots, so I keep street shoes at the office.

P.S. - This is my 1st post. Thanx to Mr. Ritter and company for maintaining this forum

When I got to bed, I fish my EDC keyring out of my pocket and plonk it on the bedside table. I don't think I could sleep with it actually in the bed.

I need it ready to hand, because it has the house keys. I need the keys in case someone rings the front doorbell at some unearthly hour (eg the postman at 8am). This happens fairly often, once a month or so. I don't want to have go hunting through my pockets when I'm half asleep and/or it's dark, and it's a bad idea to keep a spare key on a hook next to the front-door.

My EDC includes a torch, which I think is essential to have to hand during the night. Especially during the night! Also my mobile phone, again so I can find it if someone calls at an unearly hour. I am not so bothered about the rest of it; no knife. I do have a bug-out bag which hopefully I'd have time to grab.