Some recent threads have got me to thinking about the way I carry stuff. I approach the stuff I carry for preparedness from two or three angles. First I consider what is useful in the broadest number of scenarios such as knife and fire, second I consider the most likely scenarios with the most dire consequences, then I consider how to carry or stage the gear needed.

I would be interested in hearing from others on how they layer what they carry, what means do they have for packaging / carrying preparedness items. PSK, EDC, Belly Pack, Belt Carry, Vests, Cold weather layer pockets, Car kits, BOBS, Full War-Wagon preps. Is there anything interesting in how you have your home supplies arranged and stored for survivablility. Have you got a fire safe? Is your fire safe in an out-building? Do you keep pocket carry slim by having more complete supplies in an outer garment or in your vehicle or bed-stand / Desk drawer?

Do you prepare for scenarios in order of likelyhood or by severity of scenario? There are those who prepare for TEOWAWKI because that is the "Worst Case" and having prepared for that they think that they will be, defacto, prepared for anything. then there are those who feel that there is some statistical cut-off and anything that is less likly than that can be ignored - handled with prayer and providence <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Do you stage your gear? Do you have gear stored outside of you home / office? With friends & family? Out of town? Out of state? Geo-cached? In a self-storage facility?


I always have fire and blade with me and for such important tools I have redundancy for both with me at all times. As I layer up from my EDC I actually add more redundancy to these two. My PSK includes Xacto and Straight razors (two blades each) and Matches and sparklight. My next layer EDC contains more matches and butane lighters (yes more than one lighter) and a mini-multitool from dakota with a builtin flashlight and my leatherman wave. My belly pack contains the camillus marine folder and another butane lighter and a water proof match safe and a Magnesium/Flint bar. My full pack includes a Cold Steel Bushman and More matches and probably another mini-bic.

this sort of layered redundancy is apparent throughout my planning and gear.

Scenario wise: I live in NH within commuting distance of Boston. My commuting range varies from rural to urban on a daily basis, I am close enough to the shore that Hurricanes are possible and close enough to Boston that terrorism is a concern. (if only for secondary effects of lawless refugee populations that may result). I find myself in Boston for business and recreational reasons on a regular basis so I face all the human urban issues. I live close enough to rail lines and highways and industrial plant that I am aware of toxic / hazmat situations. I live in a wooded area that may be vlunerable to fire and of course my home is a potential source for that fire. I spend a number of hours daily on highways and backroads commuting so I am vulnerable to many stranded / wounded motorist scenarios. My commute takes me more than 30 miles from home so reconnecting with family in time of crises is an important part of all my plans. Sheltering in-place is not as appealing as reuniting with my family.

Having said this I don't think that my situation is that much different than my wife who is a stay-home mom. She doesn't commute daily and is rarely more than 5 miles from home. But she will occasionally travel to her sisters home on the other side of Boston - driving through to get there. Or into Boston for a show. The only difference between her exposure is the frequency. The scenarios are the same whether you expose yourself once a day or once a month. Certainly I don't carry as much gear into the living room as I do into the office OTOH I would be very concerned if my wifes carry into Boston looked significantly different than mine.

I haven't gotten to staging gear yet but I have equipped a Jeep Cherokee with basic camping outfit and I keep it stocked for immediate use without adding anything other than myself with full EDC and BOB. This is primarily due to the fact that I enjoy camping and work too hard to want to pack on Friday night when I get home from work.

What, no bites yet? I really want to see how folks respond to this one.

I wish I could dazzle everyone with a state of the art assemblage of kits. Fact is, like everyone else here, my gear reflects my own 'mental template' of what I ( think) need and what I can afford. Redundancy is a core component of my 'template', and not so much for potential loss, as simple forgetfullness <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Unlike many Southern Californian's, I actually dress for the weather. I may have a jacket,rain slicker, Anorak or duster on hand as my primary garment. I even have those things called suits in the closet. It only took a few incidents of leaving key items ( including keys <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />) at home to secure a supply of inexpensive mora knives and a very basic PSK for each garment. Lately I have stocked a few items for other people; water,blankets,power bars etc. We have talked in the past on this social consideration; hungry children on airliners, taking radio and first aid courses and joining volunteer groups. A few years ago, I was one of only 2 people who stopped to help at a train derailment. The combined resources of the C.H.P., fire department and EMTs took care of everything-almost. Nobody had water for all those thirsty folks. I had several boxes of bottled water in my car. The social reciprocity from that incident continues today; cards from the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. lady I carried off wearing a Bush button and joking about my Nader button and the local Chips who shake a stern finger and laugh when I power brake at a red light. My 'mental kit' is becoming a cultural exercise as much as physical.