Removing from vehicles...

Only once in 25 years (unless I was the responding EMS provider) did I remove victims from a vehicle - it was rubber side up and gasoline was running out in streams and puddling on the road.

I sent two civilians to block traffic 1/4 mile in each direction and thought for a full 20 seconds before even deciding to approach the vehicle.

Fortunately, both girls were belted, conscious and reported nothing but bruises from the belts.

I had my friend hold shoulders while I cut the belts (carefully) with the short (1 1/2 ) blade on my good old Ulster Barlow.

I've questioned trropers, firefighters and cataloged my own experience. Twice in a combined 65 or 70 years did we see a vehicle burn. THis, of course, does NOT include RV's that overheat on the grades around here.

Top 10/EDC

LM Wave
Spydie (Work dropped blade length so I an't carry my BM 710, Endura or Delica.)
CMG Infinity (or Mini-Mag) on belt
Streamlight Key Mate and V-Nox classic on keys
Gloves and Moleskine in Coat Pocket
Fisher pen and PDA in shirt pocket
SPare fisher bullet in with Nokia Cell on belt

PSK, Sak(s), Scorpion, Water, food, 2 emergency blankets in my Kely Eagle man-purs as EDC,several bic lighters, waterproof mathccontainer, FAK, etc

I carry a ferocium rod, photon 2, paracord keyfob, aluminium whistle, maya stick and a silva button compass on my keychain. I carry it on a retractable ski pass holder. This works very well, so if I want to you any of the gear, I just give it a pull and when I don't need it, I just let go and it retracts back up.

i forgot i got a whistle on mine too, i got them on a quick release link on mine keychain. I have thought of the skipass holder, but i use it in such a fashion that the tring will get in the way..

Very much my feeling; I won't pay to be treated as an uncivilized person. In my case, that also translates, from time to time, to putting down merchandise and walking out of a store, rather than waiting in huge lines, or lines that do not move, or walking out of restaurants rather than fighting to get served. I keep hoping that if we vote with our wallets, they'll eventually get the message (I'm not convinced that they care at all about any other vote). I haven't yet flown since 9/11. I flew a few times a year before- it's not fear of terrorism, it's a low tolerance to being treated like either like a criminal or cattle. I've rescheduled vacations within driving distance for the time being.

Unfortunately, in the case of government or government-subsidized organizations, the financial incentive just does not apply, since they take the money by force anyway.

Agreed.

The rest of my family, including My Better Half, has a You Can't Fight City Hall attitude toward this. They think I'm, well, stubborn if not crazy for thinking this way. At least thought is not subject to being searched and wanded.

... In most of America, Yet....

1. Leatherman SuperTool 200 (i like the fact that everything locks)
2. p-38 can opener (keychain)
3. one standard red mechanics rag
4. folding knife (needs upgrade, not happy with it or the sheath, Frost Cutlery <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> plus the blade is over 3 inches, not good for city living)
5. money
6. a roll of 550 paracord
7. FAK (contains some extra miscellany as well, carpenters pencil, compass, pepper spray in it's own pocket, etc)
8. food and water
9. AA maglight (needs upgrade)
10. zippo lighter and backup bic lighter (i smoke)

since i live in a city, i have found it best to make as many items as possible, discreet and low-detection, and don't really have the need for fishing hooks or things like that. Though i wear my leatherman on my belt just 'cause it's cool! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

these are all extra personal items that don't include the cell phone issued by my job and pens and paper etc...or any tools in the trunk...i do think it is horrible the way the government tries to warn/scare us into preparing ourselves (Hurry!!! Duct tape and Plastic Sheeting!!!! Run!!!) but we are looked down upon sometimes for carrying things you can find in most stores... <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Depending upon scenario

<img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Cash
rolling papers
pocket postal scale
lighter
ziplock stash
hip flask
9mm Glock
Spare Mag
Cell Phone
Bus Locker key
<img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /><img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


EDC urban / suburban
leatherman wave
keys
wallet with cash
Cell phone
Hat
Gloves
Sensible Shoes
Asp Saphire lite
Whistle
Lighter


This is just the top ten I usually carry over 7 pounds of gear total in my vest, pants pockets, belt. I have two or more options for each of the following needs:

Shelter - Tarp, trash bag, poncho, space blanket
Fire - bic, storm lighter, match safe, spark-lite,
Tinder - spark-lite tinder, lint, vaseline soaked cotton, atm reciepts and lottery tickets
Blade - Leatherman Wave, mini-mult-tool on key chain, Xacto blades, Razor blades
Signalling - Whistle, Mirror, Cell phone, Ham HandyTalkie
Water - 1 liter bottle, Potable Acqua, Filter Straw, Latex Tube
Food - Power Bar, Snare-wire, Slingshot band,
First Aid - CPR Mask, Gloves, pocket FAK, EMT-B First-In bag
Entertainment - Chess Board, Cosmic Wimpout dice.
Edification - Buddhist teachings, biblical tracts


That doesn't cover all of my EDC just the major categories.

Perhaps I'm over prepared, paranoid, Or just plain crazy but after a while folks just expect me to be wearing my vest and carrying a small bag of goodies.

I feel kind of silly about my P38. I have carried it on my keychain for 4 or 5 years now, and have not used it once. I am happy that I have never needed it, but also happy that should the need exist, I have it.

I did have a problem with it opening and causing some "discomfort". I stopped that with a couple of turns of tape. I have to retape once a year or so.

I used some shrink tubing to keep my can opener closed. There´s no need to feel silly about a can opener on the key chain. Many people have truely useless items on their key chains.
On one occasion my can opener was extraordinarily useful. A coworker tried to demonstrate how silly I am. He took a can with his would be breakfast, reached for the pull ring while telling how useless my can opener was in the age of pull ring cans. Everybody around laughed out loud when he discovered that this particular can was the old fashioned style. Being a generous person, I permitted him to use my can opener free of charge.
BTW: That can opener earned me a couple of food offers from people who had canned food but no can opener.