I don't know about you guys, but my friends, classmates ( im only 15 so.. )and stuff say that i musst be nuts to carry all those survival thingy's ( it's only a big PSK and some small items) so the q is how do you guys handel that ? and how do you convins them that it isnt BS ? <br>(sorry bout the spell, my engish just sucks and i havent discoverd how to use the spell check.. )

PC2K,<br><br>I like your english just fine - but if you want to spell check... if you have an English spellchecker for a word processing program, just compose your post or reply in the word processor, spell check it, and then cut-and-paste from the word processing program to here.<br><br>Tom

Re: "how do you convins them that it isnt BS ? "<br><br>The easiest way is don't tell 'em. Put your PSK in your backpack or your pocket and leave it there until you need it. If they don't know that you are carrying the things they can't tease you, at least not about that.<br><br>The first time that they need something that you pull out of your PSK (bandaids, asprin, flashlight) will be the last time that you are teased.<br><br>Stay safe.<br><br>Seth

People have always laughed at me carrying all sorts of survival gear. Of course, they always come to me when they want something, but they laugh the rest of the time.<br><br>That pretty much came to a halt last year when my girlfriend and I avoided the WTC attacks by a few hours. Something like that brought home to me (and to everyone else) that these disasters don't just happen to 'someone else'; they can happen to *you*.<br><br>Sure, if we *had* been inside the WTC at the time of the attacks, my stuff may have been of no help. Or we may have (in fact, probably would have) got out fine without it. But it's just the whole proximity of the attack that brought home how uncertain life can be, and how you can never know when or what disaster or emergency may strike.<br><br>(In fact, I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt at not being in NYC during the attacks; as if I'd 'run out', some sort of chicken. Ridiculous, I know. There's nothing I could've done to help. But, you know, the brain's odd like that.)<br><br>Anyway, think of your kit like insurance; you desperately hope that you'll never need to use it in a real emergency, but by God, if one comes along, be thankful you've got it!

PCK2<br><br>I agree with Tom. Best bet is to prepare for the emergencies you think you may encounter, but not share all the details with your friends. I think sharing with your family is a good idea however. This gives you a chance to fully articulate your choices for PSK items, your preplanning steps etc.<br><br>I am fairly well equipped to deal with several emergencies, but have not shared all with my coworkers. My family knows the details as they are part of the plan, but it is easy for people to make fun of things that they do not understand.<br><br>I have made some positive points for preparation during several of our building evacuations. Last fire alarm we were all standing in the rain, I had my hat coat and bag. I was able to distribute a rain jacket, poncho, and hat to coworkers who were wet and cold. I also had a large plastic garbage sack as a raincoat, but no one I work with was willing to look that crazy. Fortunately, we were allowed back into the building before anyone was hypothermic. I was warm and dry, those unprepared were wet and cold. Preparation rules.<br>

I live in a dorm (I study at univ. in a city taht's not mine) I ever have my SAK on my belt, and my friends and "dorm-collegues" had ever joked my out for carrying it. Or for carrying a roll of duct tape in a pocket etc.. But when they need something they stop :)<br>Tipic situation: someone (often a girl) asks if someone else has a lighter to fire a sigarette. I throw out my muini bic and punctually (s)he say: "what's the reason do you carry this lighter? You don't smoke!"<br>I always answer: "If it does hurt you, I'll return it in my pocket..." :)<br><br>So I agree with the others: don't say them anything: when it needed you will use what You have.<br><br>ps:<br>don't worry for your english: it's said to you by an italian ;)<br><br>mac

A few days ago I spent 15 minutes under the scrutiny of a local sheriff ( I eventually departed without any citations following the energetic intervention of the California Highway patrol.) My carkit was dumped on the street and thoroughly dismembered. The officer triumphantly produced my sheathed and innaccesable knife. "What is this used for?People cut things with those officer." I fully expected my aspirin to be bagged for the narcotics lab, but again, my fortuitous working friendships with the local Chips saved any further silliness. The sad truth is sheep don't like individuals, as if by voting to be vegetarians the wolf agrees. I think that makes us guard or herding dogs, unloved by both. I agree, keep quiet and only bark in emergencies.

Pat, what you experienc(ed) is known as "survivor guilt." You are not unique. The victims of 9/11come in many degrees and forms.

You are welcome. (speaking for all of us common sense CHiPs)...

PC2K,<br><br>You communicate very effectively. I don't have any trouble understanding your meaning. <br><br>Like the others, I just quietly carry my gear. I don't discuss it with others who do not prepare. They don't understand or care. Jokes are as close as they can come to contingency planning & preparing. Your interest is part of being a well-rounded person. On the other hand, do keep your parents informed. That is part of good family relations. They may also have ideas that you haven't considered.<br><br>Good luck,<br><br>John

I would suggest you be very careful as to what you carry in your PSK. Most school systems have a zero tolerance level for students having any kind of edged item, OTC meds, etc. Do not carry or have in your car (on school property) any items which the school might deam in violation of school policy. Pete

well over here the schools are much more relaxed so i dont thing it a problem ( i hope )

well my parents doesnt speak dutch or engish that well so i got a hard time explaining to them what it is, so i tend to keep it to my self...

ah so your the "toolman" of you friend, well so am i !

Like most who responded, I just don't tell people what I'm carrying unless there's a need to. There are other defensive strategies; for instance, one of the reasons I carry a Leatherman Micra (with scissors and a tiny knife blade) is so that when someone asks if I have a knife, I can hand them something completely inoffensive without lying or mentioning anything else I might have.<br><br>This probably doesn't translate well to other languages, but I thought I might mention it anyway...<br><br>As for survival kits, the words "survival" and "survivalist" have been so demonized in American popular culture that just using them tends to alarm people and make them suspicious of your politcal leanings. <br><br> I've found, in the few cases where it's come up, that such people tend to react much better if you refer to it as an "emergency" kit. It's stupid and meaningless, I know, but it seems to make a real difference in their reactions.<br>

Chris, <br><br>It might be a good time for a reminder that for concealed carry purposes and other issues where the defintion of "weapon" becomes important--ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS A WEAPON if that is your intended use for it.<br><br>Most states define a weapon something like "a firearm, or a device or instrumentality designed as a weapon or intended to be used as a weapon." So when the officer is pointing at your cross pen asking you "what do you use that thing for," if you say "to ward off some old ladies in the park feeding MY pigeons," you may have talked yourself into a CCW. Seriously, if an alert officer finds a nail file in your boot, he may ask if you have that "only for self-defense." If you answer yes (instead of "only in case my nails get dirty") you have identified it as a weapon with whatever legal entanglements that entails in your state. In mine, you have admitted commiting a class A misdemeanor (9 months and $10,000). So remember a lot of cops don't have much of a sense of humor (and sometimes with good reason, we lose a lot of great officers while making "routine" traffic stops).<br><br> No need to be paranoid, but be careful--we don't want to see you doing 5 to 15 on a cross pen wrap.<br><br>Robb

PC2K,<br><br>You're an effective communicator. So just use whatever language in which you are all most fluent. You really do need to keep your parents well informed. Who knows, you might even find them helpful. I'm sure they're trying their best to be good parents. That's not an easy job. No matter how hard they're trying, they're bound to make mistakes. So cut them some slack. Even parents need that--at least I need it, and sometimes a lot, from my own kids.<br><br>Best wishes,<br><br>John

>>Tipic situation: someone (often a girl) asks if someone else has a lighter to fire a sigarette. I throw out my muini bic and punctually (s)he say: "what's the reason do you carry this lighter? You don't smoke!"<br><br>I tell them I'm a pyromaniac :-)<br><br>(That's a crazy person who likes setting fires, for those non-English speakers who might otherwise have to look it up.)

>> the words "survival" and "survivalist" have been so demonized in American popular culture <br><br>Interesting - now that you mention it, I almost always refer to it as "Wilderness Survival". <br><br>Of course, I have a light aircraft pilot's license, and I live an hour from Banff National Park in Canada; there are a lot of people around here who go back-country camping and X-country skiing regularly, and even the ones who don't are smart enough to realize that carrying a survival kit isn't a bad idea around here.

I think the thread started off discussing people's reactions to carrying gear in a non-wilderness context.. which can get a little touchy. As such, it probably applies more to the Urban PSK thread that preceded it- since 9/11 I think there's more interest in such things.<br><br>Obviously, if circumstances don't oblige you to play games with semantics, I wouldn't bother either.

Proposal for forum consideration: <br><br>To differentiate between an urban PSK and a non-urban PSK - both of which are part of our EDC, which supplements our BOB, which on this forum has nothing to do with TEOTWAWKI, let's agree to call an urban PSK the "Urban Response Kit" or "URK" for short (exclamation point, thus "URK!", optional usage). <br><br>As an alternative, we could call it the "Urban Contingency Help Kit", or "UPCHK". But I prefer the simpler URK... are there any counter-proposals?<br><br>TIC, <br><br>TGA

Tom,<br><br>URK! and UPCHK? Reminds me of my drinking days.....<br><br>I'll go (assuming you're serious about this) with the majority opinion, but my idea of an urban response kit is a means to quickly get out of the city, and then find a mental health care provider to find out what I was doing in the city in the first place. <br><br>Take care,<br><br>Andy

Andy (I was thinking of you when I wrote the post, IIRC <grin>) - "TIC" = "tongue-in-cheek"<br><br>Tom

Tom,<br><br><br>Why am I not suprised? @$%^^&$##%^ing acronyms!!!! : )<br><br><br>Andy

Guys,<br><br>My response:<br><br>YUCK!<br>(Your Urban Carry Kit) :-)))<br><br>John

I've had people ask me for:<br>Bandages (lots)<br>Lotion (Socal = dry)<br>Hand sanitizer<br>Mouthwash (A good friend of mine is very self-conscious about her breath)<br>Aspirin<br>Ibuprofin<br>Tissue<br>Flashlight(s)<br>Blade, screwdriver, cutters, pliers (Leatherman)<br>Hankie<br>Pens, pencis, permanent marker<br>Extra piece of paper (or something to write on)<br><br>No one's asked me for a light, because I don't look 'the type' that would smoke. I've offered to people that are looking for lights and asking passerbys.<br><br>My friends are used to me carrying lots of stuff, and expect me to see me with my photo jacket on. Another guy also carries lots of stuff, but he carries junk (crayons, big keychains) etc. and I rib him about it all the time.<br><br>I stop carrying it when my neck starts hurting though. My friends are so used me carrying my stuff they don't notice it anymore.

hmmmmmm.....but what about when you want to describe a "Friend's Urban Carry Kit?" THAT might solve the acronymn problem?

I think that would be the last word.<br><br>John