To me it's just a matter of knowing that in a disaster/emergency, I can fend for myself at least for a period of time until rescue. Having been in the EMS field, I learned quickly that in a disaster, many people just can't function and give up and wait for someone else to help them. I look at it this way, in those situations you are either part of the solution or part of the problem, each of us, by maintaning emergency stuff at home, cars, and on us, relieve emergency personel from having to "deal" with us, so that they can go on to people more in need.

I have read a little about myself in nearly every posted reply to this question... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

There are enough things in this world in which we have no control. Why not take a little measure for those which we do?

I control HOW prepared I am to meet those situations that befall me.

....*boing boing bling boing* (incense burning....trying to catch that elusive fly with chopsticks)

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Harley

You know I took some time to try and figure this one out for myself, YMMV. Here are the answers I came up with:


--What makes us seek out the best of the best in gear?

When I make a purchase, whether it is a knife, a television, a car or whatever, I will:
* Research the purchase to discover the range of products out there
* Figure out what I need versus what I want
* Weigh what I can afford versus what I can?t afford to be without
* Make the purchase based on that criteria

I do this because I don?t like to ?shop? and I especially don?t like to ?buy? something more than once. I try to buy things that are of good quality that will last and remain useful for a long time. I find myself saying things like, ?if I take care of it, it?ll last me the rest of my life? a lot.


-- Why do we ?carry??

This one is a little tougher. We all have our reasons. The qualifiers, ?to what degree? and ?with how much zeal? can easily separate the extremes of, ?why we carry.? Some people like the gadgets. Some prepare for the sake of being prepared. Some prepare because they know that things can go wrong. Some prepare for emergencies or disasters and some prepare for TEOTWAWKI. My general rule of thumb is - I?d rather have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. But I keep my gear secreted away and don?t talk about it much since some people have raised an eyebrow for me producing a Band Aid or using my SwissTool in public. Though I can usually quiet the inquisitive by telling them, ?I use the stuff for camping.?


--Why do we want to be prepared for the probably unlikely?

This is another one of those ?to what degree? and ?with how much zeal? questions. Am I prepared for car trouble ? sure. Am I prepared for home defense ? you bet. Am I prepared for power outages or natural disasters ? absolutely. Am I prepared for nuclear war ? hmmm, probably not.

I think that being aware, we prepare for what we think could genuinely happen to us and for that which we can actually prepare. I know lots of people who ?prepare? by carrying a cell phone. ?And that?s great because for the most part, if you have someone to call for help, you?ll be okay. But wonder if the battery dies or what if you can?t get a signal or suppose you drop it and it breaks. Or imagine you can?t wait for someone to get there. To some, these are ?unlikely? scenarios - to others, they are very real. Now compare those statements to this one: ?Wouldn?t it be great to take an elevator to a secret underground NORAD-like facility if the SHTF.? --Well, sure I guess so.

The important thing to note here is that we as individuals decide for ourselves where the varying line is between prepared and paranoid.


--What makes us different?

I don?t think that ?we? are that much different than ?them.? I think the biggest difference is that ?we? realize (to whatever degree) that ?it? could happen to us and we want to be as ready as we can be. Whereas ?they? assume that ?it? could never happen to them. -- And we all know what happens when you assume.

For some it is a pastime, for others it may be ?inborn.? For most it?s something we like or enjoy and do because we feel better off doing it as opposed to not.

Normally I would end with ?just my 2 cents? or something like that, but this one is probably closer to a dollar. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


My thoughts, FWIW.
Hutch4545

<< brie cheese, a nice Merlot >>

Brie.... with a Merlot???

Now you see, THAT is why this site is so necessary. If Chris had but posted his planned rucksack contents prior to his hike, he would have learned that brie is best served with a good bordeaux - or at least a stable burgundy. But a merlot? Perish the thought. I hope there was no permanent damage, Chris. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes I know. But the Merlot was only $3 a bottle when I bought 2 cases and the top wine retailer in Lost Angeles has it for a modest $45 a bottle. I have to pace my very modest wine collection. AND I got to flourish my Sommalier's combination tool on it's chain in front of our grim faced, anti knife See air ee club leader gulping down his lime gaterade and a veggie burger. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

<< anti knife See air ee club leader gulping down his lime gaterade and a veggie burge >>

That's when you whip out your M-9 bayonet, use it to spread some goose liver pate on melba toast, and tell the story about the time you used it (the bayonet, not the pate) to cut down the largest tree in the forest. Me, I'd throw in some "Knights Who Say Ni!" stuff just to make it interesting. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm such a stinker. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

if by "goose liver pate" you mean "Foie gras d'oie", then please don't "spread" it on your toast !! <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
Except if it's some inferior quality "bloc de foie gras" or "mousse de foie gras". Then O.K. : spread ahead....
If it's a good true "foie gras", you delicately cut a piece of the slice you have been served, and, always delicately, put it down on your toast (on which you will have spread a bit of wine "confit", if you like mixing salt & sugar)
As for wine, it's up to you and your preferences... mellow or dry, white or red ... choose the wine you like, as far it is not too strong and risks masking the flavor of your "foie gras".

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Alain:

1. My point exactly. Only a right heathen would spread pate.... and it is all the more heathenly when done with a big, Rambo-like bayonet. And speaking as a right heathen myself...... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

2. Lordy, can I drive a thread off topic, or what?? <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

All the best from Louisiana, mon ami!

.....CLIFF

How about that for being off topic :

Concerning Louisiana, I want to start a political party, to ask France to buy it back.
I think Napoleon (IIRC he is the one who sold Louisiana) made a mistake then.

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yep, 'Ol Nappe was the one who pimped his major North American holding (the Louisiana Terratory) to cover his military ambitions.

And as for buying it back, we've grown rather attached to most of it. But, where the actual State of Louisiana is concerned, send me $1,236.14 (certified check only, please), and it's yours. I do, however..... get to keep the mineral rights. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well now that that's settled, any Russians out there interested in buying back Alaska? I'm in a dealin' mood!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />