I agree with those who suggest you go minimum-carry. Even though as a chick I could carry a purse the size and weight of a bowling ball, I often go minimum-carry when I dress up and go out with friends. Trendy women's clothes, even simple blue jeans (at least the slim fits I like to wear), don't favor the gal who likes to EDC a bunch of gear.

I've also taken to using bags and cases that are very "civilian" friendly. My EDC bag is the Soho from Overland Equipment. My PSK is housed in an Eddie Bauer All-in-One Survival Kit case (threw out most the gear that came with it, it was JUNK) with a bunch of other gear. It's poppy red, looks like a CD player case, and it's branded on the outside, so I don't get any comments when someone sees it. If I'm using one of my glittery evening bags, I can still have my minimum-carry stuff.

I guess my point is that it's necessary to have versatile gear choices and carry modes.

I am an engineer, so I try to break things down into numbers.

Why do we prepare?

Cost of being prepared = (money_spent) + (invonvenience of carrying). I assume that we enjoy this stuff just a little, so there is no cost in the time spent putting a kit together.

Cost of NOT being prepared = (cost of loss) x (probability of event occuring). The probability of an event occuring is low, while the cost of the loss is very high (your life). So a certain amount of preparation is prudent.

Now, on to YOUR problem.

Cost of NOT being prepared = (cost of loss) x (probability of event occuring). The probability of something happening just a few hours is quite low. Not zero, but still rather low. And you can still leave your stuff in the car, so at least you can get to it within minutes.

Cost of being prepared = (money_spent) + (invonvenience of carrying). Well, in this case, you have already spent the money, so that is zero. The "inconvenience of carrying" is harder to guess. It could be as low as spending a couple of nights on the sofa, all the way up to alimony and child support. for a couple of decades. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So, by the math, do what your wife tells you. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

No Glow Ring on this one? That was one of my favorite parts! I think I will develop a kit like this one. I may even be able to carry it comfortably in situations like the one I posted about.

It is a good point to take this opportunity to decide what bare minimum for me is. I think I'll work on a Witz kit and Altoids tin kit. Especially with summer coming, and our plans to spend a good deal of time at the new municipal waterpark, it will be good for me to scale down. I carry my EDC in the Proteus when I don't have pockets, but that is still not "on me" as much as I would like.

The more I thought about it, I realized that what I really wanted to have with me was my PSP. I can carry my Charge, keys and phone on my belt as I usually do, with the mini M2 in my pocket as well as my wallet and koppo stick. My other Spec Ops pocket organizer carries EDU (every day use) items, like a Fisher pen, mini Sharpies, fingernail clippers, etc, not something I HAVE to have on me for a social event.

Point being, I forgot that my wife's PSP is already in her purse, so adding mine would simply be doubling up. So problem solved!

There will be a glowring as soon as I can hunt down some more...

M

Excellent point and it's very well taken. And when you were describing the ways you carry EDC, it reminded me of things I've read about ninja practices. The concept of "hiding in plain sight", not only for the ninja him or herself, but also for their equipment. The shuriken (throwing blades, stars, spikes, etc.) were originally carpenter's tools. It was not unusual for someone to be carrying carpenter's tools, just like it not unusual to be carrying something that looks like a CD case today. I think versatility is at the heart of the ETS mindset and I thank you Christina for stating things in a way that clarified this concept for me <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I deal with this all the time. My advice: Think minimal.

No, more minimal than that. And look at your situation and think again. Are you really going to need a compass, 50-feet of rope, and a fishing kit in the restaurant? Not really. So break up your EDC.

Here is what I do:

On me, I carry only the minimum that I need day-to-day and the barest emergency essentials (see, cut, make fire, signal). These items that do not bulge, or require additional pouches or bags to carry. In practice, that means I have on my keyring a Leatherman Squirt S4, an Infinity Ultra, a P-38 Can opener (sentimental reasons) and a Boy Scout Hot Spark. Keyring and a Bic lighter are in a pocket. In my wallet I have a couple of band-aids, a flat cotton ball, an extra $20, and the ‘ol Amex Card. Around my neck I have my military dog tags (with my medical allergy tag), a metal whistle, and a third blank dog tag that I polished smooth for use as a signal mirror. In between the dog tags is another $20. Cellphone/PDA on my belt. This will deal with the most probable situations I will run into, and at least allow me to get out of the diner and to my car, where I have............

Cliff's Neat-O-Daytimer. That has my “second-line” EDC. Since my earlier post on this, I have added some latex gloves, a disposable N95 mask, and some Purell wipes. My Daytimer is usually with me, but, if it is not convenient to carry it somewhere (say, a government building, or out dining with the wife and friends), it is always in the car.

Problem solved. Go modular. And, keep an eye on all of the possible exits out from where you are, and plan how to get to them. (Handy bit of wisdom, that is.)

…..CLIFF

The key words here are PREGNANT WIFE.

If you enjoy a somewhat normal life leave your gear in the car or at least most of it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I had the same problem when my lovely wife was pregnant with our daughter. I did what I was told... ha, ha, ha... and everything was just fine.

Word of caution: mood swings are VERY unpredictable. As if you didn't know this already.

Just put a lanyard on everything and carry it on your keychain. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Seriously, people don't question a huge keychain as much as a couple of bags, you could get away with carrying a lot of stuff! But like everyone else says, if you're only going out to dinner for a few hours, you can probalby leave the animal snares and fishing kit at home, I think you'll survive without them. And if you're going to a nice restaurant, the chances of needing three different types of firestarters plus tinder and 2 weeks worth of water purification tables are close to zero.

I also have a few of those Witz containers to hold my stuff. They're nice, but a little bulky to fit in my pockets. I had problems with the latch always coming undone in a pocket or bag, most of the times I looked at it, it was half open and no longer waterproof. So I modified it to make it a little more secure. I shaved off a bit of the inside of the latch to allow the latch to go more overcenter, then take a lighter (the one you just took out of your mimimum carry because you wife was complaining) and heat the tab until its soft enough to bend if flat. Still easy to open, but much less likely to open accidentally.

Bulky? The one shown is the wallet sized, thinner than a pack of cigarettes...

M

Wear whatever makes her happy, and leave a bag in the car... if things get so bad that you can't get to a vehicle not more than a hundred yards away, you're probably screwed anyway. Not only will she be happy, but... then she owes ya one.

Troy