Still around and still wearing the vest. I work in urban Seattle and find this vest much more normal in appearance than most mulitpocketed models. Of course, this is the home to Filson which adds a bit to the acceptance. However, because it is not a cargo pocket monster I do not think I get any looks based on its appearance of an overloaded kit.

The article point is exactly to get people to evaluate their likely scenarios and bits that would assist. I know I am redundant in many areas (like sharps). The vest weighs in at 5 pounds and, because of the back pocket, balances well on my shoulders with no strain to my neck.

I have never tried any other vest that so fits my needs. All the photovests and jackets, fishing vests and others just have way too many pockets and just would never fit into my daily wear.

The article is meant to be an inspiration rather than a guide. Unfortunately it reads more as a list of must haves...

Anyway, the point is to look at your situation and evaluate your likely scenarios...then set up a few kits to assist. A desk kit with warm clothes and water, a car kit with battery cables, a body kit in case you need to evacuate your worksite....whatever fits your specific requirements.

One thing I always recommend to people is to start small....carry some money and your car and home keys at all times rather than leaving these items in a bag at work and wear some decent shoes that you can walk in. Adding a hat, gloves, radio, repair kit, FAK etc can come as you see fit or if you see fit.

Hey Schwert !

I'm right there with you. It's a matter of adjusting to everyone's daily requirements.

My understanding is that you always wear this green vest over your clothes while at work. Can you tell me what happens with the vest when you return from work and enter your home? Do you hang it up near the front door? Or maybe you keep it next to your bed?

Just wondering ! :-)

The green vest is daily wear at work all day, every day. If I take it off, I get comments <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Once home I hang it in the closet. Weekends I wear it about 25% of the time. I set it up primarily for work so I would have the basics if I should have to leave the building.

If it's loose, that means you can add more layers under it as needed. Wool is warmer than kevlar.

Bee, if you lived where Schwert lives, and considered the disaster possibilities there, you would probably consider him somewhat underdressed:

Seattle's elevation is mostly near sea level.
It has 8 earthquake fault zones in the immediate area.
It's 60 miles as the crow flies from the most dangerously unstable volcano in the U.S, 14,410' Mt. Rainier which, if it erupted, the debris flows would probably close off one or both Interstates for a goodly period of time. Mt. Rainier is said to be five times the size of Mt. St. Helens.

When Mt. Pinatubo in the Philappines blew in 1991, if all the ash and debris that it blasted into the atmosphere had landed on Manhattan Island, it would have buried it...1,000 feet deep. I believe it was considered a smallish volcano.

Ash is tiny shards of glass. It damages the lungs and eyes, is so light that it can't be swept, it clogs auto air filters in minutes, and sifts through the tiniest of cracks into your home. If it rains on the ash, the ash turns to a material with the texture and weight of wet concrete, and collapses buildings.

I live about 65 miles south of Seattle. All I would have to deal with is the ash, which could be considerable, and would probably paralyze a goodly part of western WA.

As far as I'm concerned, Schwert is just carrying the bare necessities. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Sue

Susan:

Here is the link for "Crazy Eric" as he calls himself.
Eric

Stargazer

I wasn't aware he was in Seattle... you have a good point!

And I thought I had too much stuff in my CamelBak!

I read the article through very carefully. Then went on to read part's 2 & 3. Very interesting.
First thing that I did was order myself a K&M matchcase. Second thing I did was go green with envy over his little fixed blade knives.
Obviously you have to make your own kit list decisions, but if TSHTF then what is on your body is very likely all that you get. The trick with these kits is to be discreet about what you carry, and about how you carry it. His vest doesn't merit a second glance from his colleges.
One thing that I would do is exchange the Mauser pocket knife for a Swiss Army Locking knife. I used to own a Mauser. Excellent knife but the SAK is that little bit better.