Has your pocket carry changed since Sept. 11?

Mine has. I never use my lighter, so I put that in my jacket pocket. I have taken to carrying a Mini-MagLite (two AAA batteries) clipped to the inside of my right rear pocket. I took an unused British Metropolitan Police whistle and put that in my left rear pocket, next to my Swiss-Tech MicroPlus. <br><br>I got tired of having stuff on my belt and don't necessarily want to advertise what I have, so I took my Victorinox CyberTool 34 out of its belt pouch and put it in my left front pocket. I also took my original Leatherman PST out of my briefcase and put it in my right front pocket with my wallet and PrincetonTec Blast.<br><br>Does anyone here have a more sensible arrangement of their gear? Different or better gear? Remember, this is for office carry during the week, so I'm wearing dressy casual trousers, not blue jeans.<br><br>

My car kit has changed only a very little, and mainly just to comfort my girlfriend:<br>I added one more packet of Mainstay rations & some more packets of Mainstay emergency water to my car kit and also to her car kit. This made her calmer, and that's fine with me. I also have tried to become more diligent about never letting my gas tank become any lower than half full, which is something I should do anyway. I carry a lot of stuff in my Wrangler. She has a more basic roadside repair oriented kit I made for her, because she doesn't go offroading in her Blazer.<br><br>What I carried on the airplane this last weekend changed:<br>I took no pocket knife nor mulit-tool, and I substituted a 44hr Nu-Wick candle & space blanket in place of my Altoids tin. My thinking was that shelter and warmth (to combat shock and protect from the elements) was paramount, and something was better than nothing. I also figured these items looked less threatening than some other items which the officials might be less familiar with. I still carried a first aid kit, but I took the scissors, safety pins, tweezers, etc. out of it.<br><br>(An interesting note concerning the Nu-Wick candle:<br>The security types wanted the matches OUT OF the candle and INTO my pocket. I guess they thought the matches were safer if stored somewhere other than right next to the wax. Also, since they didn't want any pairs of lethal tweezers menacing the safety of the airplane, I bent/wrapped the cheap tin tweezer-substitute that comes in the Nu-Wick candles around an ink pen before I went to the airport so as to turn it into a pathetic looking pliable spiral... like a tiny, thick, non-bouncing slinky. It was unrecognizable as anything even resembling tweezers, and obviously anything BUT threatening. But, if I ever need it to move the floating wicks around on top of the candle, I can always easily unbend it back into something resembling its original shape and sufficient usefullness. This wouldn't work with quality tweezers, but with these disposable babies, it was easy.)<br><br>My daily carry gear has not changed:<br>Velcro strap watchband, belt of woven elastic cord, cel phone, pepper spray, health insurance card, roadside assistance card, cash/checks/cards/coins, comb, spermicidally-lubricated, reservoir-tip condom in a mini (travel-sized) Extra Strength Excedrin tin (to protect it), Fisher Bullet pen, Rite-In-The-Rain booklet, Spyderco clipit (Endura, Delica or Calyspo Jr, depending on my daily mood & travel/activity plans), Acme Tornado whistle, white Micro-Light II, mini-tube of lip balm, mini Bic disposable steel & flint lighter, Leatherman Micra, 1 yellow & 1 orange 1"x36" ribbons (for flagging down emergency services when needed), two large safety pins, Brunton survival cards w/ fresnel lens & floating compass, laminated list of personal information, contact numbers & medical conditions, one-way valve CPR mask, 1pr nitrile surgical gloves and pocket first aid kit w/ moleskin and a few basic assorted OTC drugs, ointments/salves, towelettes/swabs & bandages/gauzepads.<br><br>I'm a computer geek who sometimes does offroading on the weekend, so I don't have to dress up very often. But, the stuff I currently carry can just as easily be carried in a suit & tie or cutoff shorts. When I go swimming, I transfer it all to a fanny pack. That makes the most sense to me, because I want to have my gear with me no matter where I am.<br><br>Earlier this year, I took my state's Concealed Carry certification training, passed the qualification test and had my photographs and fingerprinting done, but have yet to submit my final paperwork to the state for my background check. I expect to do so before the end of the year, and to begin trying out my first carry methods early next year. This is out of a sense of civic duty, long overdue. I believe a gentleman should always be armed, so as to be prepared to defend his lady (or his family), his community and his fellow man. But, I have never yet lived up to this ideal, despite the fact that concealed carry has been legal in my state since 1996. So, last year, I finally decided it was time to do something about it. I do not expect to fight off swarming bands of terrorists at the mall any time soon, so I see no reason why recent events should accelerate my pre-existing timetable on this matter.<br><br>My home supplies have not changed, but are likely to expand somewhat in the future. I have never kept much at my office aside from an EVAC-U8 smoke hood, and that, too, is about to change.<br><br>Stay safe,<br>J.T.

Nope but I agree with Jet, home supplies are getting ready to expand to 90 days.<br><br>

I am a little more self conscious about having my knife in plane view. It's sad really.<br><br>This is my daily pocket inventory:<br><br>R. rear pocket- Key chain with Swiss-utili key,small flint rod, and a white Photon II light.<br><br>L. rear- wallet with a spyder card.(nice little tool)<br><br>R. front- Swiss Champ on a small cord attached to a clip that goes to my belt loop. (helps with the weight) On cord I have a red Photon I covert (long battery life), and a small button compass. <br><br>L. front- Tool logic money clip.<br><br>When I am working I carry my Swiss Champ in a sheath and a Boker Infinity ceramic blade cliped in R. front.<br><br>If I'm dressed up (rarley) I carry a Benchmade Park Ave. with a lapel hook, hooked in R. front.<br><br>Any input or advise is welcome. This is a great forum.<br><br>Thanks, Kodiak<br><br><br>"Audaces Fortuna Iuvat"

Man you got bunch of stuff in your pockets!!<br>surefire mini light<br>mini swiss army (classic?)<br>wallet<br>spyderco.<br><br>

What can I say? I hate being unprepared.<br><br>

What if you live in a small townhouse with no extra storage space? I'd love to assemble a 72-hour kit for two, but floorspace is at an absolute premium in our home.<br><br>

A 72 hour kit should not take up any great amount of space. A BASIC 72 hour kit should fit in a day pack or 5 gallon plastic bucket. The front hall coat closet is a good place to store it since it is right next to the door and you can grab it on your way out. <br><br>For 72 hour BASIC kit, you only need a few things.<br><br>2 Quarts of water min. (more would be better)<br>Mainstay/Trail Mix/PowerBar/etc<br>Matches & Lighter<br>Knife &/or Multitool<br>First Aid Kit<br>Flashlight & Batteries (Think LED and lithium)<br>Tarp (min 8'x10') (or plastic sheeting)<br>Parachute cord (min 50 ft)<br>Trash bags, lawn size<br>Bandana (2)<br>Leather Gloves<br>Chapstick<br>Dust Mask (6)<br>Space blanket(s)/wool blanket<br><br>Things you can add that might be useful as backups or extend your comfort:<br>Chemical light stick (useful for lighting explosive or wet environments)<br>Tub Candle (for heating, cooking, or light)<br>Rain gear<br>Radio for news & weather <br>Paper, Pencil, Pen<br>Cash, $100 small bills and roll quarters (vending)<br>1 qt metal cook pot with lid<br>Hat<br>Change of underwear & socks<br>Unlined Nylon windbreaker with hood <br><br>This is enough for you to get out of the structure and have a few essentials to make the next few days bearable. As mentioned elsewhere, leaving your primary residence makes you a refugee unless you have a predetermined destination in mind. <br><br>If you don't have room for a daypack on the floor of your closet, the trunk of your car might be a second choice since you will typically have your car just outside your house. The 5 gallon bucket with lid is watertight and could be hidden inside a planter outside with a potted plant on top to disquise its location.<br><br><br>

Right Rear: Hanky<br>Left Rear: Wallet<br>Right Front: Pen, Rex, Sebenza Folder<br>Left Front: Keyring with; Whistle, Compass, White Photon, Small magnesium fire starter, SOG CrossCut. (I am thinking of ditching the CrossCut in favor of one of those swissteck utilkey things)<br><br>The best way out is always through.<br>-Robert Frost

Mine really hasn't. However, tyng up loose ends for this weekend's talk show appearance, I have just this minute finished updating the page and photos of what I carry, my Don't Leave Home Without It gear, if anyone is interested: http://www.equipped.org/onyrown.htm<br><br><br>Doug Ritter<br>Editor<br>Equipped To Survive

i hate being unprepared but i hate having to search through the pockets for the essential's (like a paper pad and pen for girl phone numbers )<br>but i was kidding no hard feelings :)<br><br>

Nice page. It adds a bit of information that is not found on the other pages, I picked up on the shrink wrap tip that I don't recall seeing before.<br><br>>>>The first aid supplies I carry have never expired, they end up being used on a regular basis; most often by others rather than myself. <<<<br><br>I think this is important. As I construct my PSK, I intend to keep it sealed and complete (except to replace expired meds and such) and not as a first aid kit in non-emergency situations. So I'll carry extra first aid items in my fanny pack. As a Scout leader, I find that I'll almost always need band-aids, mole skin & Tylanol (we have parents prior permission to dispense). <br><br>It would be counter productive to keep diving into my PSK, which would have to be unpacked, and run the risk of forgetting to replenish it.<br><br>>>>...after sealing these tins with premium Scotch 33+ tape...<<<<br><br>Just curious, any reason why this particular brand? (You usually do have a good, rational reason for such decisions.)<br><br>Also, you pack a Photon in your PSK, so does that mean that the Photon in your pocket is a double?<br><br>Thanks<br><br>Willie Vannerson<br>McHenry, IL

Willie,<br><br>Thanks.<br><br>>>>...after sealing these tins with premium Scotch 33+ tape...<<<<br><br>>>>Just curious, any reason why this particular brand? (You usually do have a good, rational reason for such decisions.)<br>This tape is designed for more extremes of temperature and seems to hold up much better, doesn't get gooey in the heat or stiff in the cold.<br><br>>>>Also, you pack a Photon in your PSK, so does that mean that the Photon in your pocket is a double?<br><br>Yes. Battery operated devices have a habit of conking out when you need them the most. While I try to be religious about exchanging batteries when I feel they've been used long enough, not waiting until they go dim, you just never know how much life remains. The choice was a spare battery and screwdriver for the tiny screws or a complete unit. This allows you to just use it, no muss, no fuss.<br><br><br>Doug Ritter<br>Editor<br>Equipped To Survive

I logged onto the 3M web site to look up Supper 33+ electrical tape. Here's what their product blurb says:<br><br>"Tape, Scotch(TM) Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical<br>Premium quality, 7 mil electrical insulating tape that applies well in broad temperature range. Flame-retardant, hot- and cold-weather resistant; resists UV rays, abrasion, moisture, alkalies, acids and corrosion. "<br><br>Pretty much supports what you said. :-)<br><br>Willie Vannerson<br>McHenry, IL

Every once in a while I get it right. :-)<br><br>Doug Ritter<br>Editor<br>Equipped To Survive

My pocket kit is unchanged, but the PERCEPTION of it has. I used to get looks of whimsical disdain or McGyver jokes at worst, mild appreciation at best. I utilised my pocket aid kit ( duplicate tin to my mini kit) to dress a little girl's painfull asphalt scrape today. Her mother, while appreciative looked rather wide eyed at my tins ( the little girl was fascinated, so I explained them to her.) "Are you with the government?" I refrained from answering," no ma'm Im a musician" as I was wearing Blues Brothers Sunglasses.People are looking for the bogeyman, so be circumspect.<br><br>

>>>I refrained from answering," no ma'm Im a musician" as I was wearing Blues Brothers Sunglasses.<<<<br><br>ROTFLOL!<br><br>Thanks.<br><br>Willie Vannerson<br>McHenry, IL

Before 9/11, about the only things that I carried with me were my Leatherman Supertool and the change in my pocket. <br><br>Since that day in September, however, I've made many changes in my everyday-carry. I made the decision to be prepared for whatever situation may arise.<br>My updated EDC consists of:<br><br>Left front pocket; keychain with keys, Photon II (red), small serrated blade knife, Airguide instruments marine compass/whistle/magnifying lens/temperature gauge tool, and a Maglite solitaire.<br>Right front pocket; small Swiss Army-like pocket tool with knife, file, toothpick and tweezers and pocket change.<br>Left rear pocket; wallet with insurance card, drivers license.<br>Right rear pocket; one handkerchief and one red bandanna, (thanks Doug)<br>Left hip; Meyerco Speedster in a horizontal carry sheath, glass cutting tool in sheath.<br>Right hip; Leatherman Wave with the Wave Tool Adapter Kit, Pelican Magnum Plus 2AA flashlight in sheath with pocket for spare batteries, and a butane lighter (windproof) in sheath.<br>And around my neck, the MoD Scorpion neckknife for self-defense purposes. <br><br>Some (my wife) may consider this a bit much, but I am comfortable with it. I am in the process of assembling a mini-PSK as set by the advice given in this forum, that I will also carry on my person for emergency purposes.<br><br>A little preparation, goes a long way.<br>Thank you, Equipped To Survive. <br><br>

Since your a Scout leader which must mean that you are outdoors often..... I wonder if you might like a larger neckerchef? i make mine from cotton, and have a bunch. Some are bright colors like yellow , black, camo, all 36"x36".<br><br>I have a black silk one too for winter.... I wear these as warmers or coolers, to filter dust, and smoke when need as Doug says.... The 36"x36" can be used as a sling, and makes what I think is a better head covering. There is more than 1 way to fix this as a head covering too.<br><br>just my 2 cents.. I like the rags bigger...... any fabric store has this on rolls.... depending on what I want I ususally buy a bunch, and figure away to get several 36x36 and 24x24 by tearing.... washing gives then a fuzzy border........

you can't be using every bit of space..... I have very tight dwelling area myself. Stuff is everywhere..... make places...<br><br>I bet you wife needs a shoe rack organizer... buy her one she will love you for it. get the type that works like stairs and displays the shoes in rows. You can put quite a few tins under it, with other supplies.<br><br>I find spaces here all the time for other things I want, and need. You might have forced air...try pulling the grates off. You will find space there...... Once right after I was divorced I had to live in NY for 1 year. Coming from NH I had several hand guns.... I found a floor grating in the NY dwelling and put all the guns next to the forced air ducting, with the grate back on it was as it had been.... ofter water shut offs have a pannel access, and you can find space there too. How about a trap door above a closet? Look around

Try a year's supply in a townhouse!<br><br>Seriously, consider all those spaces that the cat finds to hide in. You know, under the bed, under the couch (though that one gets a bit skinny), a couple of boxes stacked under a plywood disk and draped with a longish cloth to serve as a night table beside the bed, that sort of thing.<br><br>Or, you may want to consider a close-by U-Store-It type place. That sort of solution *does* require some measure of discretion, just as you wouldn't want to flash a wallet full of cash among strangers.<br><br>Just a thought, <br><br>Alan

Scout Neckerchiefs<br>Interesting observation on neckerchiefs vs. bandanas. I always keep a couple of bandanas in my fanny pack and my backpack. But they are much smaller than your 36"x36" neckerchiefs. The Boy Scout dress uniform, or "Class A" uniform as we tend to call it, includes a neckerchief. But it is much smaller and triangular in cut. It can be used for a number of purposes, such as an emergency compress to stem bleeding or to help tie off splints for a broken bone.<br><br>But it's not as versatile as a larger neckerchief. You would be hard press to make a sling, for example, even though the Boy Scout manual describes using slings for first aid. Also, the current neckerchief is mainly dress item with fancy embroidery or silk screening and most folks would shun using it for any other purpose unless it's an emergency. I don't think any scout would hesitate to use it in a first aid situation, where they would avoid using it for more practical uses, such as a head wrap or water filter.<br><br>Compounding the situation even more is the fact that no one wears their neckerchiefs except to troop meetings and when we travel. (Boy Scouts travel in full "Class A" uniform). Around camp or on the trail, the uniform stays in the tent or pack while more comfortable clothing is worn, usually jeans/shorts and cotton T-shirt with the troop logo silk-screened on it. We refer to this as our "Class B" uniform. It would seem that a larger neckerchief, such as you described, would be most useful if worn as part of our "Class B" dress. I think I will try testing this idea this spring and seeing if I can introduce it to the troop.<br><br>The Scout Neckerchief wasn't always so impractical. I remember the neckerchiefs I wore as a youth were slightly larger, even if they were still triangular in shape. I remember that you could tie one off as a slink for a fellow scout, although I doubt they were large enough for an adult. The original Scout neckerchief started out as a square cloth folded in half into a triangle.<br><br>There's an interesting article written in 1927 by Commodore W. E. Longfellow that illustrates the origins for neckerchiefs, describes how to properly were one and lists dozens of potential uses. A reprint of the article (with a few typos) can be found at this link. Scouting With a Neckerchief It also has directions for a Turk’s Head knot/woggle that can be used as a neckerchief slide. I wonder if one can be made out of para cord? :-)

It’s been awhile since I’ve lived in tight quarters, but I remember…<br><br>If you’re using a box spring under your mattress, there’s usually a lot of wasted space in there- take the cambric off the bottom, study the structure, and with a trip to the hardware store it should be fairly easy to improvise some shelving. The same is true for some couches and sofas.<br><br>I had a friend once who installed a stereo subwoofer on the underside of a largish coffee table top. It was invisible from anywhere inside the room unless you got your head down to almost knee level. <br><br>One very useful space I’ve never seen mentioned is inside closets, on the wall directly above the door. In most cases it should be possible to mount a shallow shelf a 5 or 6 inches above the door opening and have it be invisible even to those using the closet normally. It may be only deep enough and tall enough for, say, one row of cans, but it can go the whole width. If the closet is wide enough, this is also an ideal place for a rifle rack or hooks- quick to access, but completely out of view, and no one seems to think of it. In one place I lived, I left the hooks in place when I left, and the subsequent tenants (whom I met) hadn’t noticed them after living there for years.<br><br>If you’ve got a lot of bookshelves, they’re probably deeper than they need to be for mass-market paperbacks, and there may be room behind the shelved paperbacks for cans or MREs. Check plumbing access panels for bathrooms- there may be considerable wasted space, and some actually open to the space around bathtubs. If you have your own water heater, follow the pipes to the area inside the walls where they go upstairs- often it’s much larger than it needs to be just for the pipes. Anything stored near the pipes must be impervious to temperature and humidity changes, though. Not a good place for food.<br>

BTW, here's some additional information regarding scout neckerchiefs.<br><br>The Official BSA Supply Division is offering a reproduction of the original 28"x28" neckerchiefs. (I pasted the catalog text below) The problem with their offering is that it's positioned as a "classic" item for collector, and it's priced that way too. $20 for a neckerchief, Turks head woggle kit (rope), and reproduction book like the link I posted earlier. That's to high to expect a scout to adopt.<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------<br>Neckerchiefs were originally more than fancy neckwear, they were a piece of equipment that could be used as a sling, flag, and more. In 1927, the Boy Scouts of America even published a book detailing the various uses of a Scout neckerchief. Now you can own a classic neckerchief—original 28" x 28" size—and a reproduction of the original book. Set also includes materials and cord for tying your own classic neckerchief woggle, also known as a turk's head knot. Choose from six neckerchief styles. Great fun and a great gift! $20.00 ea.<br><br>

Well, the cat doesn't have any places to hide, except WAY back in the closet where Judge Crater is. That's how serious our space problem is. <br><br>Off topic trivia question: Does anyone here know why Judge Crater is the answer to trivia questions today?

You can make a turks head knot from cord, but it won't look right. That knot needs the twist effect to look right. I make these occasionaly of sterling silver as finger rings, and have used mine as the slide you mention..... To do this in sterling is tuff....... I start out with about 64" 28 gauge wire single strand, fold it in 1/2 and pinch the ends in a hand drill, then a nail is placed in a small vise and I hook the U end over the nail. I tiwst evenly untill I have what looks like a good twist, and then proceed to tie the knot around a mandrill, and silver solder the ends...... This a weak.... if you make one don't do hard labor chores wearing it... my wife killed hers....<br><br>As I do Historical Re-enactment sometimes I finf myself in place dressed rather briefly, so I use the 36x36, as a skirt like covering......this happens when I am not at the place for the re-enactment battle, and I begin to feel the odd man out, usually the paint has worn off, or I have washed it off.... Sometimes after a long hot day, and a long battle, i just drive home that way... I get some pretty strange looks too!<br><br>I also ride a motor bike, and the rag works well then as a head cover.....I do not always wear a helmet...state says it is ok here in NH to not have to wear a helmet.... I like the wind too. So I get a fair amount of use from these rags... recently a i tore out 3 36x36 and 4 24x24 from camo real tree ..... I just tear them, sewing isn't needed, but for the scouts sure would be! I can be a bit messier than they can.... Sewing the edges should not be a big deal though..<br><br>It seems the military has gone to the triangle scarf type as well, i have a "Ranger Rag" it was a gift from a ranger olive drab, once in awhile someone [censored] at me for having it, as it is a Ranger only item, and I was not a ranger, but someone will have to stomp me pretty good to get it ;-)<br><br>Start carring the rag and you will find alot of everyday uses.<br>I like the silk one year round, and use that more than any others so far, but I don't use it for cleaning dishes or a pot holder like I do to the cotton ones........ Mac

thats a tad pricey for me..... I but cotton sometimes as low as $0.50 a running yard......and 60" wide.... the real tree camo was that price...I bought about 30 dollars worth at 50 cents a yard for that! 20 bucks for a rag is way to much..... Mac