Hello,

My name is Dan.

I have been a long time reader of the forum and decided I was over due to post.
I am in the process of modifying / adding to my EDC, BOB, FAK, and USK.
As a first step, I would like to see what you guys think of my (soon to be) USK.
While I have spent a fair amount of time in the wilderness, I am currently living in New York City, and as such, I have attempted to tailer my kits to this unique envirnment. I have listed below the items I either own or plan on purchasing for a Urban Survival Kit that I will carry every day. I have asterked the items I plan on purchasing.This is strikly a urban kit, and will not be used for the wilderness.

Ideally this USK would allow me to deal with a wide range of problems. If there was a large incident, I would want to be able to easily egress the area while being (somewhat) protected. Afterward I would want basic medical supplies to help myself and then I would want to have enough resources to get home or survive for a short while in place.

For a terrorist attack involving a bomb or a large fire; I would be able to use the gloves, goggles, bandana and / or EVACU8 to survive a smoke, fire and debris filled envirnment.The glass punch, pliers, hammer, and pry bar would allow me to exit most areas.The various lights would allow me to see what I was doing.These would especially come into play during a (another?) blackout.If there was biological or chemical incident or a large scale flu outbreak the N95's would help me get to my apartment were my provisions would hold me till the worst wore off (I know a N95 will not protect me from many agents, but its better than nothing.I realize a full respirator would be a dramatic improvement, but it is just too large for me to carry every day.Maybe I will get one for the apt.). For a nuclear or radiological attack the Pottasium iodite would be ingested ASAP. The radio will need to be a good one, so that I know what is going on and can react accordinly.(Matt has been kind enough to give me a few suggestion on this topic.) Once I have a plan, the quarters and calling card will allow me to communicate using the pay phone as the cell system will most likely be down. Then I can use my large and detailed map of the city to egress back to my apt or another locale if necessary.The subway map will of course also help in this respect; as will the extra metro card. The FAK is pretty small but the moal foam and skin will ensure that I can keep walking if I develop a hot spot or blister.My hope is that it will contain enough basic supplies to stop most bleeding. I have provided for water with the nalgene and food is covered with the two powerbars.

Having lived in an aparment building with 50 floors, (I was on the 18th) I have given some thought to a micro repel line or emergency chute.I personally think the chance of another plane attack to be very low and as such have decided to focus on more probable scenarios.If I am in a large building, fire is my primary concern (although I have had my aptarment building evacuated and quarintened due to a hazmat spill...that was fun!).Most of the buildings in the city have multiple stair cases, so as long as I have a mask and light and know where I am going I should be ok.

I have not included any items for personal defense other than the two knives and maybe a quick flash from my surefire.New York does not allow for Mace or knives longer that 4".And of course guns are a no-no in the city.Just in case anyone was wondering.

I will breifly list my EDC so you guys have a fuller picture. Typically I carry:

Swiss Army watch
Wallet
Cell phone
Small whisle (on keychain)
Bottle opener (on keychain)
CMG infinity LED light (on keychain)
Keychain with mini biner
I need a good pocket knife and will be buying one shortly (RSK1 ?).

The following contents are or will be placed in a soft carry case. Maybe later I will get a maxpedition proteus or a spec ops pack rat.This container then goes into my shoulder bag.It won't all fit, so the larger items will reside in the shoulder bag.(shoulder bag may soon be replaced with a maxpedition MPB)

I should also note that in the colder months I always carry extra clothing (hat,gloves,long underware) with me.In the summer months, more water.

The list:

Swiss Champ with nylon shealth attached to the inside of the carry case with nylon line and quick release

Needle nose pliers (bec the champ's pliers suck.I see a leatherman in my future)

Exacto Knife with spare blades

Hammer (small wooden handle, not very strong but lightweight)

*Pry bar (small to medium in size)

*Glass punch

*N95's or N100's with locker

*Bandana

*Evacu8

*Goggles

*Leather gloves

*SureFire E2E (spare lamb, batts, batt case)

Photon light attached to the inside of carry case with nylon line and quick release

Chem light (and holder)

*spare batt for CMG infinty

Map of the NYC subway system

Map of NYC

Compass (silva type 7, I have a ranger but don't want to risk huring it in day to day)

*AM / FM radio (with batts, if money allows maybe one that is also a scanner)

Whistle (Storm)

Para cord (50'' )

Duct Tape (flat)

Mini bungie cords (2 red)

Cable ties (15 large)

Brass wire

Emgergency Space bag

Sharpies (one regular and one large)

Note pad (in plastic map case)

Pen (bic)

Waterproof Matches in hard orange case with striker attached

Candle

*Eye glass repair kit

*Spare glasses in hard case

*Biner (I like the locking kind)

*Cash (at least $150, maybe 50 in ones and the rest in 10's)

Quarters in a film canister

*Metro card (subway and buss card to all those non-New Yorkers among us)

*Calling card (need to do research, I think someone posted about this b4)

*Contact Numbers and other important info

*Spare house keys

Power bars [2]

32 oz Nalgene with water

Gookinaid

*Gerber milk bags [2]

*MP1 tabs

*Pottasium Iodite

*Door Stop Wedge (got the idea from another forum, enables one to check an escape route while still retaining ability to back trace your steps through a door)

Bug spray

Sunblock lotion

Altoids Tin:
-mini bic
-twisty ties
-second photon light with clothing clip
-small roll of dental floss
-saftey pins
-sewing kit (small hotel style)
-couple of paper clips
-couple of rubber bands

FAK (this fits inside the soft case. I should note that this is a EDC FAK and not my "home FAK", which is of course much larger and more thorough)
-bandaids (regular)
-bandaids (extra large)
-rolled gauze
-2x2
-4x4
-moal foam
-moal skin
-imodium
-advil
-tylenol
-neosporin
-gloves (non latex)
-CPR mask*
-eye wash*
-emt shears
-antacid
-benadril
-tweezers
-medical tape

Items I have thought about but have not added to my list (yet <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

-Small binoculars
-Poncho
-Hack saw blade
-Electrical tape
-Wetwipes
-Ranger Band
-Water filter
-Sewing kit (larger)
-Rite in rain paper and pen
-Brunton Helios lighter - hard to justify an expensive lighter in the city, but might get it anyway, bec its cool.
-MRE (one meal)
-Israeli Trama bandage
-Quick clot
-Spare ATM card?



I would love to hear any suggestion you guys have.Please tell me if you think I'm missing something or if you have a better idea for an item.

Thanks

Dan