Wow, old thread revival.

10 most important by what I use day to day will be different from the 10 top survival items, a few of which are squirreled away for just in case.

1. Leatherman Wave
2. AAA Mag lite
3. My Laptop (what can I say, I'm a computer geek)
4. Stylus Plus
5. Makita 9.6v cordless drill
6. Short stubby 4 in 1 screwdriver from an HP server class
7. A little tiny (3") adjustable wrench
8. Keys to my truck
9. Cell Phone
10. TV remote <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Much to my surprise, I found I can go through an entire day without having to pull out my Wave -- or any other tool, for that matter. In fact, I can go several days in a row without sufficient reason to deploy any of the tools I used to carry.

I say "used to" because I have since lightened up on the number and size of tools I carry on my person. My beloved Wave now lives in the briefcase I take to work, rather than on my belt. I really never used the SwissChamp that was also on my belt, so that's at home.

The EDC tools I carry are my Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II, with red and turquoise Photon II's attached, and my Micra with attached ARC AAA. I don't use them very much, either. Sad, isn't it?

The tools I do use every day and find indispensible? My SureFire E1e, which does live on my belt, and my SureFire E2e, which lives in my coat pocket.

Does anyone here work in a city such as NYC or Washington, D.C., where our beloved gear may draw unwanted attention? If so, how you work around it? What compromises do you make?

I work as a programmer in NYC for a big financial institution and I also work as an EMT. Needless to say EMT work gives me no problem as far as being prepared. Short of a sidearm I can carry whatever I want. Office work is more of the challenge. I have Wave on my belt and nylon pouch with 2 pairs of gloves. In my pocket on the clip I have a Spyderco Assist that I started to carry more frequently than Sebenza. Inside my pockets I have a lighter (Windmill) and ARC LS. Now I’m more in the relaxed environment since I don’t deal with clients except for occasional support call. Also being an EMT helps since I can write off all of the above as tools of the trade that I “need” 24/7.

But I also carry a backpack with me all the time which has a big expanded FAK inside and my keychain resides there as well when not on my belt or pocket. My key chain has ARC AA, ARC AAA (UV), Photon, SwissTech Tool and roll of 1 inch med tape.

Honestly my bosses kind of gave up. They know I was never an office type and since I always had stuff on me and I’m ex military they leave me alone. Plus occasional band aid and Tylenol helps.

Matt

>>Does anyone here work in a city such as NYC or Washington, D.C., where our beloved gear may draw unwanted attention? If so, how you work around it? What compromises do you make?<<

I do, from time to time- though the last 6 months have been suburban, that may be changing again.

I change my set-up to suit my commute. I use a shoulder pouch/soft briefcase for the subway, and rely more on the vehicle when I'm driving. I've had to deal with metal detectors on one gig, and that certainly limits things a lot more... though probably not as much as they intended.

Urban requirements are different- no fishhooks or snares, less need for firestarting or water containers. A lot of equipment (Photon 3, tiny REI aluminum whistle, Hot Spark firestarter, P38 can opener) that would attract unwanted attention in a tin box attracts none at all on a keyring. A firestarter in a tin box is an "incindiary device", a cheap lighter in a pocket is ignored. Appearances matter.

Since the gig with the metal detectors ended, mostly the restrictions I've been dealing with are what's visible- so, a lot of things stay in jacket or pants pockets, or desk drawers.

Was there something specific you were wondering about?

Well, yeah.

I'd like to visit Washington, D.C. to see the Smithsonian and other atttractions, but I don't know what kind of security I'm going to run into.

Security precautions are kept under wraps, so I don't know whether I should leave my gear behind or not. It seems as though just saying such words such as "security" and "War on Terror" gives any mortal the right to paw through the contents of your pockets and pass judgement. I actually had to explain what a Space Pen was to one of these very morons. They are polite enough, but come on!

How can I possibly visit places where I'd be likely to be wanded or frisked or searched and still be minimally prepared? Are The Powers That Be simply going to take my stuff, or what?

PS - In my family, carrying a drivers license, house key, car key, and a credit card is generally considered being prepared. Carry more and you're carrying too much. I am exaggerating here for effect, but you get the idea.

The needed tools will vary greatly by venu and circumstances. Most situations that are coming to my mind require a knife or safer cutter, a first aid kit just in case, appropriate environmental insulation or modification (heat, light, weather) and hand/foot/eye/breathing protection to start with.
Scenarios:
Car wreck, passengers trapped by seatbelts:
seatbelt cutter or one hander knife real handy, not buried in pocket or glovebox
glass breaker maybe
FAK
Cell Phone - handy, not crushed under dashboard in handsfree cradle...
fire extinguisher? Used to have palm size halon unit that I carried everywhere.

Earthquake at home, moderate damage:
Gas and water turnoff tool
Flashlights, not candles or oil lamps
One had opening knife, preferrably one hand closing also.
dust mask for the breathing impared at least
whistle and cellphone in the hand(s) of anyone trapped
Glass proof shoes for anyone able to walk
Broom
Gloves
"Bottled" water because water pipes busted and would have to boil with shutoff gas stove anyway...
lots of superglue, plastic and duct tape...

Interstate gridlock/accident, stuck on exit ramp for 4 to 14 hours (been there)
Extra gas or keep the tank fullish at all times
PortaPotty or reasonable substitute for climate and culture
Water
Jumper cables or portable battery for the car in front that ran the radio and lights till the battery died...
Blankets/Sleeping bags for all passengers to conserve gas in winter
CO and low oxygen detecter in car to avoid death from snow blocked tailpipe
Bolt cutters for opening alternative exits for the ambulance...


Flat tire, cold, dark, rainy night out of celphone coverage:
good spare
Jack
Tire Iron
Block for under jack
Flashlight,flares/lightsticks
Poncho
Gloves

Plane Crash or misplacement:
Doug has this covered quite nicely elsewhere... <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The answer to all your problems.....Move to the country. I can carry whatever I want all the time: Fixed blade knifes, saws, axes, guns. Alright, maybe not guns, this is the UK. And OK, maybe I have to go to a town every weekday for college, but hey, I'm a student, I can carry what I want in my backpack <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

1. Knife
2. Lighter (and flint sparker)
3. Multitool
4. Flashlight
5. Whistle
6. Metal cup
7. Large Plastic trash bags
8. Bandana
9. Length of paracord
10. Bottle of water
(11. Cell Phone)

For my everyday use I find those to be my most commonly used/carried/needed items.

I hardly use my Wave sadly <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> but when i do, it works fine. I am in Texas and and any gov. buildings, a knife is forbidden.