double up, or depend on your PSK?

Posted by: Anonymous

double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/12/04 05:55 AM

Hi all,

About a week ago a good friend of mine calls me up and tells me he and some other friend planned a small camping trip on an island in a nearby river. Only being about 30 mins. from my house I said I'd go and hang out for a bit, but I didn't want to stay overnight. I'd just been on a hiking trip the past weekend and was just planning to have a nice relaxing day off the next day.

So I drive down to were everyone was parked and called up my friend to come pick me up with the boat. I had my PSK, water and food for a meal, other fire and survival items, but not actual "camping" gear such as a tent or sleeping bag/roll.

Everything was going fine until another friend showed up and called us to come pick him up. A couple guys got in the boat, motored over and dry docked on the bank. They loaded up some "essentials" and tried to come back. -- The motor wouldn't crank. -- I realized I was going to have to spend the night on the island. It would be a bit uncomfortable, but all the essentials were taken care of. We had food and water, I had my PSK (with a shiny new space blanket I would be sleeping in under a field constructed lean-to) and a even remembered my small FAK.

The night was pretty much uneventful and no where near a "survival" situation. We had several people that we knew could pick us up first thing in the morning and I'd be home to have breakfast. It was no one's fault and to the guys on the banks' credit, they were working as hard as they could to remedey the problem to get back out to us. (Keep in mind the water was moving too fast to try to safely cross any way but by boat. Our best option, with what we had available, was to just sleep it out.)

My question to all is do you guys double up on gear such as a space blanket and other small items on short trips like that just in case you might have to be "Equipped To Stay"? Or, do you simply have the "I'm taken care of with my PSK" mindset on short outings that could potentially turn longer? As I was lying by the fire, fairly comfortable and with a good peace of mind thanks in part to what I've learned here, I had a lot of time to think about this.

--Luke

some assembly required
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/12/04 03:10 PM

Someone on this board has a sig line that says it all:

"Two is one and one is none."

Better to have a few options if you have the time to gather it.

~W
Posted by: Tjin

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/12/04 03:36 PM

"one is none, two is one" is one of murpy's law.

i personally haven't had experianses with those kind of situations, but i have planned to use a vulcan sidepocket with sholders straps, as a pack which i will carry away from camp and for short trips. Haven't filled the sidepocket yet, since i haven't received the mainpack ( sabre 45 ) yet, should come this week. I want to find the ideal balanece of gear on the main and the sidepockets first before making a "kit" out of it.
Posted by: Hutch66

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/12/04 06:25 PM

It depends on the weather. How's the water in LA this time of year? During the summer I probably wouldn't have done anything differently, except maybe carry a blanket to sit on at the campsite / just in case. In the winter I'd be a little more careful because of the cold swift water. I have a warm set of clothes in a space bag in my jeep which I probably would have thrown in the boat for a winter trip.

The most important piece of advise though would be a PFD, especially if the water's cold. I have no way of verifying this, but the line that I've heard is that unless a person is conditioned to swimming in cold water, he would not be able to swim 50 yards in 50 degree (10 C) water.

So, I can't say I would have done anything drastically differently. It sounds to me like your EDC did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Chris.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/13/04 06:03 AM

The water's not too cold. Nothing down here really is for that matter. I would guess mid 60's. Definately cold enough to cause hypothermia, but not frigid.

We had (and used!) PFDs, but they stayed in the boat. Is there anything besides blades and fire that some of you normally double up on? I'd like to know if there's anything i'm missing here, other that just having 2 of everything. I'll need bigger pockets! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

--Luke

That sinking feeling means get out of the boat. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/13/04 06:47 AM

Double up your shelter if you are going into a situation where there is the remotest chance of being stranded. It is simple to add a larger Contractors garbage bag to a coat pocket. I always (I mean true EDC) a 5'X8' poncho / Tarp in the back pocket of my vest, a space blanket and a plastic rain poncho in one of the front pockets and a trash bag in my PSK. For much less $$ you might consider the lowly tube tent I would also not go somewhere "remote" (by that I mean somewhere that I might not be able to WALK out of on my OWN) without my cell phone and Ham Radio. But I guess you were able to communicate well enough that night. Just wouldn't want to be in a situation such as Chris K found himself in when he got stuck on an island. I also would probably put my belly pack on when going out like that - it contains some power bars, an esbit stove and titanium mug, some GORP, 1 liter of water,extra Potable Aqua Iodine tablets and an extended FAK
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/13/04 07:15 PM

Sounds like fun to me <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. I like being in situations with limited gear like that. I think that a cell phone would have ruined the experience, but obviously, if it was life threatening or at all dangerous it would be a godsend. I personally double up on a few things: fire, blades, shelter, compasses, cordage etc. and when out in the countryside without a pack, a small (Opinel) folding saw. For EDC I carry a space blanket and 'disposable' poncho for shelter and warm, practical clothing as well as gloves and a fleece hat. If I'm going with a rucksack, I'll add an orange survival bag and/or a space blanket rigged as a tarp or a sil-nylon tarp, and often a fleece sleeping bag liner and/or wool blanket.
Posted by: Hutch66

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/14/04 12:59 AM

Since I don't think I've ever dropped a flashlight when it was light out or when the light was on, I like having two lights. I keep a Princeton Tec pulsar on my keychain (which I hope to upgrade to an ARC AAA when my Christmas debts are paid off) and a PT Attitude . The Attitude is a much more useful light and I use it 90% of the time. The keychain light has more or less be relegated to finding keyholes and looking for my other lights if I drop them.

FWIW

Chris.
Posted by: aardwolfe

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/14/04 01:12 AM

I hate to admit it, but even after everything that's happened, my EDC still consists pretty much of what's on my keychain and in my wallet. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I do carry some extra stuff in my car - an old parka, fur hat, gloves, wool socks, insulated boots, a wool blanket and at least one Space Blanket. If I'm going out of town, I usually carry a survival kit as well.

My take, though, is that the PSK should be for your own personal use - others should be able to fend for themselves. However, if I'm in a position of responsibility, or simply if I'm concerned about others' safety, I would make sure there was enough "stuff" to keep everyone comfortable.

To me, it's a question of risk management. I'm not going to carry 60 pounds of hardware just to walk to the corner store to post a letter. If I have too much stuff on my keychain, I find I have a tendency to "forget" to put it back in my pocket. (For example, I took the Fox40 off my keychain and replaced it with a "Boy Scout" whistle that isn't as loud, but is more compact and has a water-tight compartment into which I crammed a couple of cotton balls, because I find it makes the keyring less bulky.)

Others may insist on carrying a complete set of maps, a tarpaulin, a full-blown survival kit every time they go to the corner store, but for me personally, I know I'd just get tired of it after a couple of days. This way, I know I will (almost) always have a whistle for signalling, a Fresnel credit-card lens, flints, a SAK to strike a spark with, and two separate caches of waterproof tinder. All I need now is more practice. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

FWIW:

Keychain -
- keys
- Saint John Ambulance keychain pocket mask
- SAK Classic
- whistle with cotton balls in watertight compartment
- Photon MicroLight
- key blank with 5 Ronson flints Krazy-glued to it, sealed in clear plastic shrink tubing
- International Orange breakaway lanyard (shortened using a chain stitch)

Wallet
- money
- credit cards with holographic reflectors (for signalling)
- bank cards, etc.
- ID
- bank machine receipts (and other fire-starter) <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
- P38 (?) can-opener
- Fresnel credit-card lens
- Wilderness First Aid wallet card (with one cotton ball stretched thin and laminated to the back of it - this is my backup waterproof tinder)

I'm thinking I could maybe take some sewing needles, fish-hooks, dental floss or fishing line, and maybe even a scalpel blade and laminate those to the back of a business card.
Posted by: 11BINF

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/14/04 03:12 AM

hi citizen : when i go on trips were i might find myself on a unplanned overnight. i carry a little more than just my survival tin . i carry my suvival pouch with contents which mirror the s.a.s survival book along with 1liter or more of water and maybe some light sleeping gear and extra chow. by the way i find the survival bag is a lot better to sleep in, than wrapping a survival blanket around yourself as you are t-totaly covered in the bag. also if its not raining or the winds not bad i don't waste my time on a overhead shelter i just sleep under the stars <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/15/04 10:47 AM

Everyone has their own approach.

I currently have 3 PSKs, one for EDC (suburban, currently), one for the woods and a third for on the water (sailing). They're all small enough to slip in a pocket. Of course there is more gear in my vehicle, in packs, in my desk at work, in the boat, whatever.

For me, the PSK is intended to be a last-ditch backup only, never a set of primary tools. I've been known to take day hikes, up to say 11 miles or so, with just what's in my pockets, but around here, 5 miles down the trail is most often less than a mile out in some other direction, and there are other hikers, and cell phones, park rangers, roads, campgrounds- a literal "walk in the park", generally. You'd be hard pressed to get yourself in real trouble. I've had sudden, unexpected weather many times, and failures of footgear, found out the water I packed wasn't potable once, and been a mite disoriented once or twice, but I've certainly never had to bother the rangers.

On the other hand, in more rugged terrain, I might well have an emergency bivvy kit in a day pack for a 3- mile walk... certainly some sort of foul-weather gear and insulation if it's cool, in addition to the PSK. I guess I just tend to pack the minimum I think necessary for a near-worst-case scenario, like breaking an ankle at the furthest point in the hike.

On those more ambitious trips, or across water, I think everything in the PSK is, or should be, just a backup for some other piece of equipment, and usually the second backup... the minimum that I don't want to be without if I'm separated from my pack, can't get back to my vehicle, or office- I can't get to my primary gear.

Personally, I'd consider any time I really have to "raid" the PSK in non-life-threatening situation a failure to prepare properly otherwise. Nothing to beat myself up about, but a clear message that I did something wrong. It's not for routine use.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/15/04 01:55 PM

I see a philosophical difference here in the way some prepare. While I agree with PL on the PSK being a backup for other equipment in every planned situation I also find that there are often unplanned events that occur that are not life-threatening. The scenario described to start this thread wasn't life-threatening but to avoid using the PSK items they would have had to call for help getting off the island. I also carry a pocket FAK which I consider a backup to other expected / planned preparations. If I am at home I will have my pocket FAK (PFK) in my pocket (where it belongs and always resides) but I will go to the medicine chest to get a bandaid rather than invade my PFK. OTOH, If I am out for a walk I don't hesitate to invade my PFK for non-life threatening incidents. I don't reserve the bandages in the PFK for major bleeds but use them whenever I nick myself as well. Likewise the dramamine, tylenol, immodium etc that I carry there.

If I found myself suddenly stranded somewhere - that's what my PSK is for.

My EDC goes beyond my PSK and PFK. Because I cannot ( or will not) take the time to do a full risk analysis and planning session on the way out the door every morning I take the approach that my EDC should be sufficient for an overnight stay wherever I may be planning on going + outside in current weather. By always having this capability in my EDC I am far more prepared for anything than most. And I rarely if ever need to invade my PSK. The PSK is second backup to the other EDC items. But not everyone is willing to EDC 5 - 7 pounds of gear in a geeky vest. (or figure out how to transfer it all into a suit that still drapes well and doesn't look like you're packin' when you go out stylin - this is doubly hard for folks wearing dresses and skirts.)

So.... in the scenario given, I wouldn't have carried anything more than my EDC + a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for the trip accross the stream to my friends campsite for dinner - fully expecting to get a ride back to allow me to go home for the night. Once finding myself stranded I would have strung up my poncho tarp (5'X8' of silnylon poncho from campmor), layed down a ground-cloth of trash bag, curled comfortably into my space - bag and brought out my head-lamp (Photon II with velcro hooks stuck to the back for adhereing to available wool, fleece, velcro or other knappy fabric) and my portable magnetic chess set and had a nice game with my friend whilst sharing a decent cigar. All of this out of my EDC without invading the PSK. If there had been a need for busting up some kindling or up-to wrist sized firewood I would have been able to accomplish that with my Leatherman Wave. If my friend had no interest in chess there would have been cosmic-wimout dice to use or a book of budist philosophy to pass the time individually if I couldn't sleep.

Yes, All of this and more is in my EDC Vest. I have a wool one for all but the hottest months and a nylon one for the heat of july and august.

If I am in the house or car or office and need any supplies I don't reach immediatly into my vest but rather check the supplies there since my vest should only be a first backup to the supplies presumed in any civilized structure.

If I am planning on taking a hike or intentionally going somewhere I will be expecting an increased potential of overnighting outside then I will take along much more stuff and the Vest is relegated to first backup to the planned gear.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/15/04 05:11 PM

Yup, fundamental phlosophical difference.

I don't carry nearly that much stuff EDC (and already resent the weight, bulk and nuisance factor of what I do carry). That being the case, I don't expect to be able to bivouac with my pocket contents (it's COLD out there right now), and darn sure will have a pack with me if expecting to either cross water or spend the night.

Overnighting with EDC seems like an interesting exercise, but I frankly don't have much interest in carrying that much gear all day, every day. Here in the 'burbs it doesn't seem to make much sense (well, to me) to have a whole lot of outdoor stuff in EDC- you're never unexpectedly that far from shelter on foot, and a credit card or cash will solve a LOT more problems than any equivalent weight in gear. In real wilderness, both are quite useless. Different areas, different scenarios.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: double up, or depend on your PSK? - 01/16/04 01:34 AM

I agree with your approach on this. I have my stashes of key gear in my car, home, desk, briefcase, and a survival vest of contents if I had to walk from my car, so an EDC kit is not necessary for me. Use of a PSK can mean something was not planned for properly but does not mean that one would not feel comfortable carrying a kit of some sort.
You have to weigh the pros and cons as they impact you and do what makes you feel comfortable.