Building an Urban Survival Kit, advice requested

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

Looks pretty well thought out and complete!

Dan,

My best advice to you is to get the hell out of NY City as fast as you can. Find a job somewhere else. I have a sister-in-law in NY City. She is wedded to the place. Doom on her!

It seems you have done what I consider the most important thing...evaluate your likely scenarios and then pick the tools and skills that will help. I would probably add a poncho or large contractor trash bag but otherwise the list is looking good.

You can see my take on urban prep kits in these two articles.


http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=171

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=172

This is an awesome kit, but I do see some improvements you could make. First, I carry two Leathermans because I sometimes find a nut and bolt that needs both ends held. The leatherman has a can opener and a bottle opener so you wouldn't need to carry another one. I have a PST and a PSTII with scissors to complement my Micra. I love my Leatherman Micra. I picked up a Stanley Wonderbar and it is cool and light weight. I carry three bandanas,and I have one N95's per person, (four total). Chem lights suck but I carry one for each kid to carry in case we get seperated. I have four mini bungees and the cable ties. I have four sharpies, red, blue, black, silver in case I need to draw a diagram with different colors. As far as the matches are concerned I would put a striker or two inside but make sure they are facing away from the matches.
In the Altoids tin I would replace the paperclips with safety pins. Replace the twistie ties with small zip ties or just some wire from a picture frame. I would stuff cotton balls in there as well as a BSA Hotspark and a striker for firestarting. Redundancy is important as far as I am concerned. Get some golf pencils also. I would throw in two big garbage bags and a pack of pocket kleenex tissues. That is all I have for right now. My Cockatoo is begging for love and wants to type now so I need to sign off now.

hmmmm I carry one too:
http://brunerdog.tripod.com/peru35mm/pages/me2.htm

Remember, BAAAAAAAAA means No.

Dan,
you do have a nice and extensive kit and it seems that you got many angles covered. But until you put it together and start carrying it there is no way of knowing how it is going to function. Many guys here started with heavy loads and by honing their skills realized that some items in their kits can be left behind.

Just few suggestions:

Good pocket knife (Sebenza, Buck, Ritter Knife are all good choices...) Get a knife that doesn't look too military and is not that expensive. Maybe even go for one of the swiss army one hand opener locking blades they have out there. But Ritter Knife seems like a good balance and good value for the buck. Why not expensive even thou you may want to own a nice knife? Things get lost in the city, there is always that one dumb cop that can take liking to your knife or you may need to secure your blade with a guard and not get back what you stored.

Carrying extra items seems to be one of the bigger problems for all of us since we don't really want to attract attention. The most common practice I have seen are modular kits with items sorted by frequency of use or priority all put into one case that can be slipped in and out of the main pack. I prefer personally my Acteryx sports pack or my Alice pack (small one). Latter has a militay look but it is not too hardcore looking like BlackHawk or Maxpedition (sp).

Extra clothing is good but in the winter time fleece and maybe some rain gear should be sufficient. I carry a rain jacket no matter what but I ditched my rain pants. I would throw an extra fleece sometime but more than often it's other people who wear it. I carry the nissan thermos with some earl grey tea if I know I will be outside in the winter for a long time (such as trying to hit on girls in the park while walking my dog)

Needle nose pliers (bec the champ's pliers suck.I see a leatherman in my future) - Yup buy once and buy good. I was a Gerber fan and I switched to Leatherman @ 2000. Never looked back.

Exacto Knife with spare blades - WHY?

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

*Pry bar (small to medium in size) - WHY?

Those three items if found on you will clasiffy you as possible bulglar

*Glass punch

*N95's or N100's with locker

*Bandana

*Evacu8

*Goggles

*Leather gloves You may want to get the fire resistant leather gloves from GALLS and kill two birds with one stone

*SureFire E2E (spare lamb, batts, batt case) - don't forget extra food for the lamb, is there an LED lamp assembly for that light? You may want to get it due to longer battery life and bulb life.

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

Chem light (and holder) - Chem sticks have a tendency to activate themselves if carried in bags. Ditch the holder. You got duct tape and paracord.

*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 Put ICE (in case of emergency) in your cellphoen for emergency workers...

*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) - Good idea but you only have one. Fire teams when securing their escape routes have many of these at hand. If you really want one there is a special fire man tool (http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=740)

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* Are you CPR certified?
-eye wash*
-emt shears Get a rescue knife from Spyderco with window punch and whistle, about $50 but you will save on space and quality is much better than shears)
-antacid
-benadril
-tweezers
-medical tape

Items I have thought about but have not added to my list (yet ).

-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. It is cool but as a person who loved his windmil I recently went back to Zippo. Routine maintanace forces me to make sure that my ligther is operational all the time
-MRE (one meal) Also get a heater. Carrying a spare meal is always a great idea.
-Israeli Trama bandage
-Quick clot
-Spare ATM card?

I hope that you do understand that you are talking a lot of gear here. (Who am I to even say that). But you have items there that are heavy and really questionable if you are ever stopped. I have no idea Dan what you do for a living, how old are you or how you look like but the sad reality is that every one is profiling out there. You have all that stuff on you and you fall under a category that somebody doesnt like you will have some explanations to do. Are you doing something illegal? Absolutely not but it's a waste of your time which I'm sure is pretty valuable to you. Also in case of NBC attack if FDNY executes their full decon plan you are loosing everyting you carry. Also heavy pack slows you down. Also even if you can justify the possibility of carrying all gear probably the key will be organization. You have a lot of smaller misc items there that if thrown in without a plan will disapear and be impossible to find when needed.

Quite a list ! As far as pry bars go I think thats a fine idea, and heres why. I use them all the time on the job as a firefighter in an upstate NY city. A small little Stanly bar has let me into many a highrise door, when checking out the "oder of smoke" type calls. Saves us from smashing them down. Those little bars can move the door enough to let me use a screwdriver (even those on multi-tools ) to slip the latch back. Some times the bar alone does the trick. It would seem that it would help you get out past or back into those same doors.

A good multi-tool and small bar make my short list for urban kits. In fact in my left bunker pocket are door wedge,multi-tool and a Stanly bar! Right pocket things to cut me free. wire cutters and folder. Speaking of wire cutters, do you know how many MILES of wires (cable,phone computer,and those foil over wire heat runs) run above your head in buildings?

Guess what happens in a good fire? They can drop down! Fireman have been killed this way, now granted with airpacks and such we have more chance of things getting hung up on us. Just a thought I would think about a multi-tool with a GOOD wire cutter.

Just reread your whole post. If you just want to go from work to home or home to where else, I would lighten up the load. Heres what I carry. Multi-tool,folder or two, Surefire light, photon, cell, 2 4x4s and one small gauze,bandana. If a storm is brewing etc. I throw in a small bar. I agree with spare cash also and i always have an extra layer of cothes.

For going from point A to B, I would toss the cable ties,bug spray sun screen most of the first aid stuff, candles, biners, cord but thats me. Btw I see many homeless folks live outdoors in our city, with winter temps reaching -10 with little more than a few coats and some cardboard. Carry the masks, filters, gloves and googles along with some tools to get you into of of the buildings and deby .Just my 2 cents.

I cut the hook end off a small pry bar, making a flat bar. I then notched the bar about 1/8" back from the cut end, making a great tool for popping locks. Wall-mart has cheap tools for car lock opening. I cut one off and carried it in my turnout gear for years. Great for building doors. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> A small shove knife is real handy.
I think I'm getting this
auto or interior door opener set

A great sounding kit, I'll admit. And BIG.

I would nix the hammer right away.

Binocs are something I carry in my car, and in my BOB, but I'm rural; I'd never carry them EDC. If you really want something like that, look at the mini monocular that the soviets designed and the germans perfected.

What you are listing won't fit in a pack-rat. Most of it will, but it will be packed so tight you can't get to anything in an ermergency without having everything blow out all over. I've seen that problem in a lot of EDC'ed PSKs that are considered the holy-of-holies and never used.

My EDC:
-Leatherman Supertool, Pocketwrench II, cut down pencil, Streamlight TwinTack 1L, in a HSGI double pistol mag carrier (Fastex + Velcro = there when you need it)
-Micra, MagLight Solitaire, roll of electrican's tape, keys, on a biner
-DocAllen Versatool, box cutter, pens, pencils, black Sharpie in pockets
-Wallet w/ 2 photo ids, medical card, p-38, tinder, a few bandaids, frensel lens

In what ever pack I'm carrying, I put a water bottle (at least 20oz) and my pack-rat, with:
-a bunch of 4" and a few 6" zip ties
-precission screwdriver and drill sets in pin vises (drill set has a pair of sewing needles and a very heavy sewing machine needle to use as an awl), Squirt EL, spare bits for the Versatool (sometimes the Versatool is in here if it is humid), 6" diag wire cutters, 4" fisherman's type needle nose
-SAK (don't know the model- large and small blades, saw, bottle and can openers, awl, phillips driver)
-black and silver sharpies, red, green, blue and black ball points, pencils, red dry erase marker, pencil sharpener
-lighter
-bandaids, 2x2, 4x4, tylenol, alch pads
-ruber bands, comb (long hair and goatee, need these when the soldiering irons come out)
-spare box cutter
-wire (insulated, usually 24ga or so, several pieces)
-two thumbdrives
-notebook
-calculator
-4 AAAs, 4 AAs, 2 CR123s
-minimag, fiber optic adaptor, 4-legged holder (can't remember what they are called, but handy as it gets)
-phone card, different photo id, duplicate medical data card
-p-38
-filter mask, 2 pairs of earplugs
-8 feet of 550 cord, small roll of red electicians tape, twine, 1 ounce fishing weight (for tossing the line or paracord)
-about 15 feet of ductape, wrapped on a small plastic rod
-1 gallon zip lock, 2 quart, several smaller (4x6, 3x5, 2x3) bags
- change, some ones, check book, address book

And this poor packrat is full!

That is my EDC, along with my steel toed walmart sneakers. My day can have me anywhere from a small urban area (~250K people, nothing more than 10 stories, but plenty of chemical works on higher ground than downtown), to suburban development-type land, to farmland, to being on a large lake, to the truely remote parts of my state. I've been in all of those but the lake today, actually. Long day, taht's why I'm rambling.

Good night, everybody, you've been a swell audience.

Two things I didn't see in your list that come to mind for your area:

Respiratory protection - the bandana is okay, an APR would be better, but is bulky, surgical mask or disposable 3M type masks might be the best compromise.

Eye protection - Safety glasses would be okay, goggles would be better.

After watching the aftermath of TTT falling down, and the resultant clouds of concrete dust overtaking everyone and everything, I would think that hazard would be an imperative to plan for in such an area. If you can't evacuate or shelter in place, you will be immobilized by the dust cloud if you can't see or breath.

Just a thought.

Wow... even with only 32oz of water and no real stocks of food, this look like about 50lbs of gear. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I would be interested to see what it all weighs and how it is carried once it is fully essembled. Be careful not to get more than you can carry for long periods of time while moving at a decent pace on less than desirable terrain (through debris, narrow doorways, etc).

Dan,

I used to carry about as much as you, and the Blackout of 2003 taught me a thing or two about a realistic kit for NYC. I'm in NYC all the time I used to live there as well.

First of all, water. Water, water, water. Did I mention water? In an urban environment, your opportunties to scrounge, steal and buy stuff are far greater than in a rural or suburban area, but water is a must.
After that, light. LED lights are the way to go for battery life. The new Pelican recoil LED lights kick butt, are light and have huge battery life.
Next is communications. A cell phone, tiny radio and spare batteries are a must. After that, a leatherman tool. Get a Wave or something decent like that. Put a Fox 40 on your key chain, put a tiny LED keychain light on a necklass.

With just that kit, you're well on your way in NYC. If you have an NBC attack, you're going to be stripped naked, thrown into what amounts to a carwash for humans, and everything you were carrying will be carted off as hazardous waste and destroyed. And if you're in a car bomb situation, if you survive the inital blast, you're going to either be entrapped, wounded, helping or unaffected. None of these situations calls for heavy equipment. NYC has - without question - the finest emergency services in the nation. You're no more than 3 minutes from a full response from a massive team of well-trained people. Of all the cities I go to in the USA, while I feel that NYC has the biggest "bulls-eye" on it, it's also the city where I feel most confident in the ability of the government agencies to respond and act appropriately to a major incident, so I pack MUCH lighter than I would in a place like LA or DC, or Chicago.

Recon, I understand what yu are saying about the utiloity of two multitools re. bound nuts & such. I got tired of bulk, and picked up for a whopping $6.00 a pair of Craftsman ignition point pliers [really little channel locks - but with great range]. Of course, nobody but gear heads know what ignitiion points are anymore, and I could never find any use for them when workingupon my ignition points, but there you are.

I originally saw this page when somebody posted it here, and I thought this thread would be a good place to pass it along. The joys of being homeless.


Robert

I just picked up a Leatherman Juice Xe6 for my kit and really like it. It is very compact and has a saw, file, diamond file, serrated blade in addition to the usual suspects. Great selection of stuff for a compact solution. The only downside is it's a little heavy at 6.8 oz.

What I really wish is someone would make this type of multitool, but use titanium for the pliers and the other structual items in the tool to cut weight. Blades and such should remain stainless.

-john

I carry a small Sebenza, but I just bought a Mini-RSK Mk1 for my wife and it's a DARN nice. I think you'd be HARD pressed to find a better folder for 100ish bucks.



Not sure the purpose of any of these items. I carry some spectra cord in my kit. It is strong and light weigh and you should be able to improvise various things with it. I don't know what you'd use the wire for, but brass isn't very strong. You could tie something more securely with the spectra cord than the cable ties. Of course you can tie stuff with the cord instead of bungies.



Agree with this one - more bulk and weight than needed. Personally I keep a razor blade in my FAK, but that is it. Of course I also have a folder in my EDC. BTW, these are the style blade I use - it has a little cardboard wrapper around the business end. I picked up a box of them at a local hardware store.



I agree about dropping the hammer. Seems like a lot of weight and if you were trapped you could always hammer with a brick or whatever is lying around.

I think the prybar is a good idea. I carry a 15" titanium pry bar in my kit. The idea here is if you are trapped (in my case the primary issue is earthquake) you can use it to help free yourself. The version I have doesn't seem to be available anymore, but there is this one: titanium prybar.

I don't really see the need for the punch tho. I can use the prybar.

-john

At the risk of repeating myself, I would recommend Dacron over Spectra cord for tying things. Spectra cord tends to break easier when tied in knots.

Just a suggestion.

Ok, thanks. I'll have to check it out.

-john

Dan,

Several things I don't see in your kit: (1) A bottle of hand sanitizer, and (2) some way of holding your SureFire in a hands-free way, such as, at the least, a wrap of plastic tape around the body to make it easier to grip in your teeth. If you're in a fire, you'll want to be wearing a mask, so biting it won't be an option. Consider a "Nite Eyez" band to hold it around your head. As an alternative, look at the new hear-band style L.E.Ds coming out. Petzl makes several that are very small and practically weightless.

Interesting topic! Looks like you have a lot of coverage and I see some items, as others have said, that may be overkill. But it all depends on where you are located in an emergency I guess. I gave everyone’s replies a read or two and I thought about the whole subject a bit and concluded that there can be many scenarios and many tools that may be nice to have along. However, I see some issues. For instance, if your kit is too big and you can't carry it constantly, you may not have it when you need it. Say you work on the 50th floor of a high-rise and leave your kit in your office when called to the 20th floor for a meeting and there is a fire or other emergency, you will not likely be going back up 30 floors to get your gear.
With that sort of thought in mind, let me tell you what I carry and perhaps why.
I carry a cell phone, car keys a SAK Rambler knife and a PhotonII mini-light on my person at most all times. Just basics. In a small waist pack I carry a Doug Ritter PSK, an Infinity Tasklight, a very small AM-FM radio with earbud, a SOG Paratool, a small roll of toilet paper, a TMRU shelter and a list of emergency phone numbers. I also keep 2 bottles of water handy. The reason I don't carry more is that I don't see a situation everyday when I would need more than that. There are first aid kits located in all 8 buildings at our campus, there is a fire department a few minutes away, police also. If I worked and traveled elsewhere, my carry items will be based on the perceived needs of that journey. I travel a heavily traveled freeway to get home and have broken down after getting off a rather remote exit, at 115 degrees outside, I wanted water and a cell phone! Not much else would have helped, except a new car, I got that later!!
Friday there was a heavy, fast moving storm that interrupted my trip home, along with an accident on the freeway, blocking movement. I got off on a side road, which was overly saturated with both water and traffic, so I decided to pull over to a restaurant and have dinner while water drained off and traffic thinned out. I used the cell phone to call the family to tell them where I was and why. It had not rained at home and never did.
I do not mean to be critical of your kit, I just think everyone needs to evaluate their potential emergencies and plan accordingly. Why carry band aids? Yeah they are small and light, but can you live without them? Yes! I guess after a few combat tours in the army I learned to use what I have and get by with it. Sure it would have been nice to have some items once in a while, but then they were not available to me at the time. And looking back, I am glad I didn't have to lug them around all over!
When I go to the wilderness or through the wilderness, I have a lot more with me and can deal with most circumstances that may arise on that journey. I guess just plan for what is likely, potential and probable. In general, don't plan for a hurricane in Kansas. Cheers!

I read the same article a long time ago. I would consider it a must read for anyone truely interested in urban survival. Obviously it is geared towards long term survival in an area that is otherwise doing business as usual (no natural or man-made disasters have disrupted daily life) but much of what is discussed can apply to many situations other than being homeless.

Thanks. I never thought about the NBC attack and all that stuff. Makes me kinda want to rethink a lot of stuff now.

Awesome tip. I am going to look up Craftsman right now. I am an avid mountain biker and always looking for more tools. I love getting any reason to look at more stuff for my B.O.B.

However in an nuclear, biological or chemical attack, depending on what is used, they won't probably bother with the 'car wash' other than a dirty bomb attack, because you will probably be dead or dying so it won't matter much how much gear you have on you. The edc or other gear you have will serve much better in a conventional bomb attack, to survive that or get out of a demolished or damaged building.

I really love mine too.

Tonight I went at my parent's place to install an old DVD-ROM drive I had lying around for my dad. I tried opening up the case (Antec case with thumbscrews), boy were those screws tight! Took the Micra screwdriver tool out, voil?! Case open. Then, I need a 4-pin power connector but the remaining ones were zip-tied to other cables. Took the scissors on the Micra, cut the tie to free the power connector...

Two trips to the kitchen saved! Hehe... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Personal question to you, reconcowboy : Did you ever consider switching the Micra for a Squirt S4 or P4? I am thinking about doing this... mostly for the tools that can be used without opening the tool up. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


Bee

Actually yes I have been wanting to do that for a while now. I have been looking at them for weeks and hope to get one. I ws going to add it to my keychain and possibly leave the PSTs at home.

No, you will be run through the full decontamination riggamarole if you escape (que mood music and lighting) "the contaminated zone". With camera's rolling the entire time.

There is more appearence to substance to securing the masses. A chemical or radiological device is dangerous to those near the release point. Real nukes... so long as you aren't in the major fall out areas, big deal, you can't avoid it.

Bioweapons, on the other hand... Wierd stuff happens with germs. It would be worth while.

So the conclusion is . . . . . what? Should we EDC as much as possible, or not bother at all and just take our chances?

How are you going to buy anything if you are stripped naked and everything you have on you [including your wallet, I.D. and money] is carted off as hazardous waste and destroyed?

I'm not sayin' I don't believe this. But in a scenario where they have thousands of people to do this to, that leaves, well, thousands of people without money or more importantly, identification. Do They take the time to note each person's ID before your belongings are taken, or what? I mean, if I've really been exposed to toxic stuff, I'd rather not have to fill out a bunch of paperwork. On the other hand, if I don't look or sound American, I'm going to want some way to prove I belong here. This sort of procedure could leave the surrounding jails full of "to be determined" status people wearning paper jumpsuits.

Hey guys, has anyone every considered one of those services that will alert your cell phone or PDA (BlackBerry, etc.) with an emergency bulletin? If you spend a lot of time in a big city it might give you and yours a headstart to safety.
Also, in my gear bag, I carry a few of those "pee-pouches", just in case I get stuck in an elevator. It may not qualify as a true emergency, but if you're stuck and you or someone else has to go, they'll come in handy. - Dave

I've used this one in the past and the price is certainly right (free):

http://www.emergencyemail.org/

Where can we get pee pouches at? I was just going to use the ladies purse next to me but I think your idea would save a fight or a lawsuit. I honestly never thought about the situation.

I think they are saying that any extra stuff will be seized.

My urban EDC would be to replace the Supertool with my old PST, and have it be side-kicked by my Victorinox in my Pack-Rat. That would be about it. That Leatherman is basically a part of me, and I would hate to loose it through some stupid government feel good operation. And with luck, I could convince someone to let me smuggle my Supertool through like my glasses. So long as it isn't a cavity search, I WILL save my Supertool.

Putting the data recover and security tool kit onto a fresh thumb drive would be a pain in the butt, but that would most be trying to find a write-protectable usb drive that I liked the form factor of.

Other than that, there is nothing I carry that I would get all that worked up about if I lost it. I'd be out maybe week's pay, with the most expensive item being my calculator (and I don't really like the TI-83 I carry in my 'rat; there is a reason the -89 stays home). If I'm near anything terribly interesting and worth destroying, I might not even carry my medicine pouch, and that is heresay for me. I'd rather have my guides annoyed with me than lose that.

(For those of you who don't know the reference, imagine kicking your patron saint/gaurdian angel/ancesotry spirit/best friend in the shins and telling him/her/it you need to go it alone for a bit. You become a very unpopular mortal for a little while.)

I guess what I'm saying is, don't get too attached to your EDC. Too many ways to loose it.

Are you sure you are not a Texan?

You can toss the potassium iodide. It protects the liver. The rest of you will suffer radiation no less. Sadly, for most of us emergency personel only means the flashing lights in the rear view mirror that mean our insurance premiums are going up. Have you ever inquired about any seminars, volunteer opportunities or equipment shortages various agencies offer, or lack? I was involved in another sad event just today, which I posted on in THE CAMPFIRE. After several hours some of the officers and EMTs were teary eyed and drymouthed. A patrolman who knew me from a trainwreck ( same lousy road) didn't even have to ask, he just popped my trunk and distributed the case of individual bottled waters I keep back there. This doesn't get me any 'get out of jail free cards' quite the opposite, I'm even more circumspect for fear of getting pulled over now <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Disasters disrupt the physical infrastructure; both physical and social.The more you can build on that community structure, the less nature or the inhumanity of man can destroy.

Make your own pee pouch - quite simple - get the type of sponge that comes dry and compressed, put a couple in a 1qt ziplock bag (2 qt if you have a big bladder), seal the bag, put in pack - instant "piddle pac"

Well since I had to go thru various types HAZMAT training thought by different agencies question of personal equipment was always a touchy one.

They all agreed on tossing away the bags, clothes and "junk". Weapons (knives), multi tools, lighters were always a no no as well. Electronics were also disposed of. And this is where it got tricky. Some instructors told us that it is ok to leave somebody with their wedding band or a chain (religious or sentimental) or a watch. Others told us that it has to be taken of and deposited in a ziploc bag for further decon (with your name on top). Some instructors allowed wallets to be deposited into that Ziploc bag as well. Others only a content and some even stated that drivers license is the only thing allowed inside. Why this is a gray area and so many different opinions? Just because nobody every did it. All of the mass casualty incidents involving decon are written on paper and when NBC attack happens that’s the first time it will be implemented.

My friend who got decontaminated in NJ following 911 lost everything but his wallet, wedding band and a cell phone (?). But than again there was a lot of improvisation happening that day.

Army once stated that they can decon 50 people in 60 minutes... NYC EMS can decon one person every 4 minutes. Army never calculated in "the human nature factor" since their experiments were done on enlisted men who followed orders.

Decon possibility is what made me stop bringing expensive knife to work.

Wow,
Thanks for the great response everyone! Lots of great advice! A long post is in the works and will follow, but for now a few of the changes I have made include:

1.I.C.E is now in my cell phone
2.I have purchused two large door stops
3.Paper Clips have been exchange for more Saftey Pins (various sizes)
4.Twisty-Ties have been exchanged for mini Cable Ties
5.Window Punch has been nixed (maybe later I'll add to keychain)
6.MRE has been nixed for weight savings
7.A Fox 40 will replace my old metal whistle on keychain (in addition to the Storm).
8.A Wave will replace my Swiss Champ and Pliers
9.Fire Proof Gloves sound like a great idea, but kinda expensive...
10.Chem Light Holder has been nixed
11.Tissues added
12.MPB (maxpedition) will be purchased and this should greatly help with organization
14.Hammer has been nixed
15.Bug spray nixed
16.Suntan lotion nixed
17.Pry bar will stay, think I will buy a titanium version for weight savings.
18.NATO Matches will replace current Matches
19.Exacto knife nixed
20.Lexan spoon will be added

Thank you.

If you don't want to make one yourself, these are a little more convenient -- they have them for #1 and #2

http://www.magellans.com/store/Health___SanitationTW568?Args=

Here’s another piddle pack--

In reading through the contents of Brent Blue’s Emergency Medical Kit (
http://www.aeromedix.com/aeromedix/art/medkit ) he lists:
Urine/puke bag—The #1 TravelJohn is the best of the products we have tested. The internal polymer absorbent material gels any liquid, making it spill-proof, and neutralizes odor. These cannot be used for water storage or transport because it cannot be recovered from the gel. Can be used for ice or cool packs when placed in a freezer or filled with cold water. … The mouth of the #1TJ bag is a semi-rigid "unisex adapter" shaped to make the device suitable for use by females as well as males.

On Aeromedix’ front page, both ProSurvival’s and Doug’s survival kits are for sale.

Good deal Dan! Just think about the items YOU are likely to need and why. Where you live and work makes all the difference! Myself, I feel I need much less and I carry much less than you. There were some great ideas came out of this discussion and I bet it helps a lot of people evaluate their needs! Cheers!

I'm not sure if anyone has said this or not but I almost always carry my Glock in inner city areas. Especially in an urban survival situation your USK won't be worth chit if someone takes it from you or tries to take your wife.

I don't know if anyone else has come at it from this angle, but you might check out these Ansell ArmorKnit (Kevlar) Gloves. Kevlar knit gloves at about $10 a pair. It appears in addition to being cut resistant, Kevlar also has a very high melting point. Keep in mind these gloves are not super thick, but it does seem like they would help a little bit. After all, if a fire, I'm not likely going to be hanging around seeing how long I can hold my hand in a fire! :-)

You might also consider using these as a liner under a good pair of (unlined) leather gloves.

In fact, just a decent pair of unlined leather gloves is probably going to give you a pretty good advantage in a fire. I say unlined because most linings are going to melt. An exception to that would be wool lined gloves if you can find them.

I've kinda went off the deep end and have a pair of the Kevlar knit gloves and a pair of Turtleskin Full Coverage gloves for my kit to use in a layered fashion. The Turtleskin gloves are basically Kevlar as well, but knit so tightly they reist needle punctures.

The downside of the Turtleskin gloves are that they are thin (they provide no padding), so I figured the knit gloves + the Turtleskin gloves would be good protection, fire resistant very abrasive, cut and puncture resistaint and provide a bit of padding. They are also very light which is good for my kit. The only real downside I can think of is the time needed to put on two layers instead of one.

If you want more options here, Lab Safety Supply also has more temperature resistant gloves options, some of them are reasonably priced. You might find something that you like.



If you are interested in upgrading, you might check out this titanium flatware. I've been eyeing the "childs" spoon and fork, and even with two "normal" utensils, the weight is still very low. Plus they probably would take a fair amount of abuse.

-john

From my perspective, if I ever have to go through a decon, the price of replacing my knife won't be high on my list of worries. :-)

-john

In NYC it is highly advisable not to carry a firearm. Not to mention illegal.

Try this:

http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=GL077

If you live in an area that is so unsafe that you are afraid, on a daily basis, that someone might take "you or your wife", I would seriously consider moving.

Living in constant fear might lead to serious health problems, mental or physical. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, tell me about it.

Got any other advice I can pass on to my Iraqi friends here? I'm sure they would all like to be somewhere else right now.

ive never heard of spectra cord until now, is it better the 550 paracord?

Here's an item to consider for your BOB. Remember Ron Popeil on TV years ago hawking his Popeil Pocket Fisherman. It is still available and will easily fit in your pack. Comes with reel, line, bobber, etc. and has room for storing more in the handle. Available at:

http://wonderfulbuys.com/popfish.asp

Well, the URL I posted above on the pocket fisherman won't open. Try this one. The item is on sale for $23.95 plus S&H.
Take a look. It looks like a great item to go in a small space.

http://www.digitalkitchenstore.com/pf103.html (This URL works).

Spectra is a very low stretch fiber. It's useful in situations where low stretch is desired. For fishing, you can feel the fishes nibbling on your bait a lot better. For stunt kite flying, you get better control. For sail handling, you don't have to re-trim the sails as much when the wind strength changes.

However, it doesn't take knots very well. When I use it for my stunt kites, I put a sleeve and a loop on the end to tie it to the kite. I'm sure fisherman do something similar.

Paracord is much more versatile. You can take it apart and use the inner strands for other things. And for most things, a bit of stretch helps make it stronger by cushioning loads when they hit the end. And you can tie knots in it without reducing the strength.

<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Excellent answer!!! I concur wholeheartedly.

Dacron line/cord is pretty darned good stuff, too. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Note while non-stretch stuff certainly won't take knots as well as something that stretches, the braided Spectra (reference the link I provided, above) takes knots much better than the solid core stuff. I really haven't had a problem in that respect with this stuff.

I also think that part of the knot holding issue is how tighly the core is bundled. The Technora stuff I have is packed SUPER tight and I think that is part of the problem. The braided Spectra cord is not packed tightly.

I find the low melting point a good thing because I like to melt the ends to prevent fraying. I have some 3mmTtechnora cord and that stuff doesn't melt and is a real pain the rear to keep it from unraveling.

Spectra is also very light, doesn't absorb water and floats.

The braided cord can be unbraided if you want smaller strands.

I think the cord I linked to is just as flexible as paracord and is rated for something like 1200 lbs. Even if you reduce that by 60% you are still looking at something like 480 lbs.

I'm not familiar with the Dacron line, but I plan on checking it out.

-john

Dan on building an Urban Kit wrote this article.

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showf...=true#Post42705

I am currently writing a follow up and more in depth article. I'm slow so it takes a while.

The instructions I got for my spectra kite line said that the line had to be stretched first before it was used. This seems consistent with this type polymer, which tempers after being stretched and sets up with little or no further stretch afterwards. I believe most spectra line has to be drawn like this. I dunno about other line/cord. I've never had to pre-stretch dacron. I think dacron is also harder to cut through than spectra line. I know dacron is definitely more abrasive, it is the most abrasive fishing line I've ever used. Would this make it a good line to snare things with? Hmmm....

You guys have any links you could share about the properties of Dacron line, esp. small stuff?

You've probably already seen this, but I found this paper by Tom Moyer on high strength cord interesting.

-john

I almost blew tea on my screen when I read that.

Years ago, before you could walk into a store and buy a decent roping rope, a/k/a lariat, we went to great lengths to 'build' nylon ropes. First, you had to pre-stretch: tie to a BIG tree or post on one end, your trailer hitch on the other, and stretch the hell out of it. Then, you had to find a nice sandy stretch of road, and drag the thing for miles until you had the right 'hand' on it [just the right amount of fuzz]

Next you had to tie the hondo [loop end] just right so the angle to the rope is perfect, and sew on a wear leather. Then, you bees-waxed it so it slid through the hondo just right. It is a lot of trouble. And you can start a really good fight over the right length.

Did I forget to say that everybody has their own preference for coil size so you can build your loop just right?

Cavanaugh, you down on this action, or do you not rope?

Nylon for ropin'? Wow, I can only imagine what would happen when that steer hit the end of the rope and instead of coming off his feet like he should, he just slows down a little, meantime the rope is humming in an ever increasing pitch, getting thinner and thinner. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

See, I was in a string mindset, forgot all about my Navy days playing with different line like that.

What's funny is spectra fishing line doesn't appear to need to be drawn like the kite line I used. They must've already done that before they spooled it. I hear there is no give at all in that fishing line.

Anyone ever make rope out of plastic grocery bags?

If so, it would appear you made Spectra rope! :-)

-john

That's what the pre-stretch is all about, my friend.