What should I EDC ??


I walk for excercise.
Male. Age = 50 +.
Neighborhood is calm.
Lots of shops and kids playing around.

Possible threats :

1 - a totally unexpected heart attack or other health hazard . Two years ago I had a bad fall while walking. There was a stone or something that I didnt notice and had a twisted ankle. Something like that can happen.

2 - To be accidentally hit by car. Not expected but could happen

3 - Some teenagers trying to take my wallet. I have heard of teenager attacks to steal wallet or cell phone .. etc. They are generally non-violent crimes like grabbing your wallet or cell phone while teengaer is on his mortorbike

3 - A stray dog coming too close for comfort. It happened before, especially in early morning ( just after sunrise ) . Usually, afternoon walks are much safer in this regard.

Any comments ??

I would say a stout walking stick or a cane would help with most of those scenarios. For a car accident, maybe add a FAK of some kind, although if you were badly hurt I don't know how much good it would do. I also never leave the house without a knife or multi tool. Usually both.

Dave

Do you have a heart condition? If yes, you may need to carry sublingual nitroglycerin and perhaps some chewable aspirin with you.
Talk to your doctor about this.
A small knife or a keychain multi-tool is great to have around. I also carry a Photon Freedom flashlight on my keychain.

Because you walk in a urban neighbourhood, you don't need the 'classic' survival items (PSK, space-blanket,etc.)

1: If you're at risk of getting a heart attack, Carry some asperin and of course your personal meds. A medical info card might also be a good idea.

I would also carry a decent FAK, with additional supplies for injuries most common for walkers: Moleskin (blisters),
large roll of gauze and SAM-splint (immobilizing a limb) and a triangulair bandage (broken arm, blood stopper).
If you plan on calling for outside help if injured, you could probably lose the SAM and the gauze roll.

2: If you get hit, you are dependent on outside help (EMS), so I wouldn't prepare for that. Maybe a triangular bandage, but that's about it.

3,4: If you worry about that, you could use a cane, stick or one of those expandible batton's. Or carry pepper-spray.
Aren't there those electronic devices that scare dog's off??

Than there is the basic equipment: Multitool/knife, flashlight, bandanna, lighter, cellphone, wallet, ID, etc.

HTH

Some FAK's:

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...;amp;PHPSESSID=

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...;amp;PHPSESSID=

Carry a good whistle and torch. Extra money is usually good in urban situations, too. Mobile phone. Medications if you need them.

Beyond that I wouldn't be too worried.

Walker, You might consider telling someone your walking route, and expected time of return.

The idea of taking a kit containing a splint, large roll of gause etc for a neighborhood walk is, in my opinion, over the top.
Stick with a cellphone, walking stick and your normal pocket carry.
(I realize there are some paranoids who won't go to the corner store without a BOB and a couple of weapons, but...)

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

Everyone who runs, walks, and hikes should wear dog tags, just like when you were in the service.

For urban, the only thing I would really be worried about is drawing attention to yourself. A whistle (Fox40, $4.95), a cellphone, and a flashlight (Target's River Rock two-AAA LED, $9.95) would be about all you'd need for that. I always carry a folding knife too (Spyderco Native, $39 at Walmart), but that's not just for urban walking. I don't even walk around inside my house without carrying the knife!

For a medical emergency or getting hit by a car, you're pretty much dependant on others for help. So just draw attention to yourself.

For a gang of teenagers attacking a lone 50+ year old, about the only thing you could carry to possibly equalize that would be a gun. But you should suspect the kids doing such things might be carrying weapons too, so consider the circumstances before doing something stupid. A man carrying a gun who will still consider giving up his wallet (without drawing the gun) is a smart man indeed. I do not consider my knife as protection against human threats. A younger, stronger assailant might easily turn the tables on you. I would not consider trying to use my knife for defense unless I was convinced my life would be lost were I not to attempt such defense.

For a violent dog threat, my plan would be a strong offense if I were able. Keep your eyes open so you see the threat materializing. Don't wait for the dog to have it's jaws on your throat. For the dog case, I suspect that Spyderco knife would be a great asset. I would have mine out and ready before the dog made it's initial run at me.

As I said in my post: If you have access to EMS, you don't have to take the SAM and gauze with you.