A young woman I have worked under and become close to (misery loves company etc...) is going back to college this Fall. She's been there and done that, but this is the first time a long way from home. Before she goes, I plan on giving her some gifts: A Photon Micro Light and mini Swiss Army Knife for her keychain, and an Altoids tin with some first aid items, a lighter, - and urban PSK "lite" if you will. Hopefully she'll never have to use any of these in an emergency - but if she does maybe she'll think of me! (You know, being married to a pharmacist could have it's perks! <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

Also, a while back I found a nice little "auto emergency kit" at Wal Mart and bought it for my cousin. I knew it would be an awkward situation, a gift out of the blue, but I feel better knowing she has it with her.

Anyone else like to pass on your urge to be prepared, with gifts, skills, etc?

Yes.I give ( with the parent's permission and understanding) simple kits to children ranging from a whistle to a simplified psk to a cub scout. There is a growing segment of the population you won't find being polled on CNN. The homeless are often out in inclement weather,hungry,scared and seemingly more invisible than the latest camoflaged poncho. It is easy to dismiss many as substance abusers, mentally ill etc. The folk singer Utah Jack Phillips has a definition for tramps,bums and hoboes. It never included children,PHDs, war veterans and divorced women. In our economy it pays to be nice to people on our way up the ladder of success. We may easily meet them on the way back down someday. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

A year or so ago I made up some kits that fit into a 1 gallon paint can. The goal was to be under $25 but they ending up about $45 a piece. We gave these as presents to family friends.

I designed them with several constraints. They were supposed to be low cost. They were to be used by people with no interest in survival or prepardedness. They would not have stuff that expired because the reciepents would in theory just throw in their vehicle trunk and forget until something happened. Were it my kit and given unlimited money, the contents would have been different.

They were recieved well and I have seem bumping around in peoples trunks.

Qty Description
1 Listing, contents
1 Notepad, spiral, 3"x5", blue
1 Pen, ballpoint, black
1 Pen, permanent marker, "Sharpie", fine line, black
1 Pencil, No. 2 with eraser, yellow
1 Whistle, plastic, with lanyard
1 Can, paint, gallon, with metal bale, polished metal
2 Penny, taped to outside, copper
2 Ziplock, 1.5 gallon, clear
1 Band-Aids & Gauze, assorted, in Ziplock
2 Battery, D-cell, alkaline, black & copper
1 Flashlight, 2 D-cell, yellow
1 Light Stick, chemical
3 Candle, Tea, white
1 Lighter, disposable butane, mini, clear with orange trim
1 Matches, paperback pack
1 Bandanna, with First Aid Instructions, white with red trim
1 Glove, leather, pair
12 Diaper Wipes, white resealable package
1 Bag, trash, lawn size, black
1 Blanket, space, Mylar, silver
1 Poncho, disposable, orange/yellow
1 Knife, imitation Swiss Army Knife, red
1 Pliers, 8", padded grips
2 Screwdriver, one Phillips, one slotted
1 Rope, 1/8" x 48', braided nylon, white
12 Safety Pins, 10 medium, 2 large
1 Tape, Duct, ~6', gray
1 Wire, 14 gauge, 10', stranded, red insulation

Remember how much fun it was to assemble your own PSK and/or EDC? Well, I had just as much fun assembling small EDC kits for my teenage nephews last Christmas, along with a three page "how to use this stuff" handout.

Naturally, some items (SAK, etc) may not be appropriate for today's schoolboy, and have to be omitted from school EDC. Even if they don't actually carry it everyday, the active kids (Scouts) see it as a cool outdoor emergency kit. I enjoyed the effort of putting it togetheras an alternative to another gift certificate, video game, or whatever everybody else was giving them.

I prefer to give a different gift to my allies. The gift that which is knowlege. Occasionally I'll give a little survival tip or hint that I have picked up, and if anyone takes interest, I'll try and see if I can further their knowlege. Or, I will bring ina 'survival salad' that I collected from wherever using my techniques, and that sometime draws interest. You have to avoid using bugs for those, I found that out. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

just curios, what are the penny's for?

I really irritate my kids by asking "what-if" questions all the time. I hope it makes them think.

to open the can? <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Doh!

Yes. It started with my wife, when she was still an elementary school teacher. I gave her a Victorinox Classic for her keychain. Initally, she just grinned at a typical "David" gift. When, shortly thereafter, she discovered how much she actually used it, she asked me to get her another for her desk. I got her a Super Tinker instead. With it, she was able to fix science projects, repair desks, and even impress the principal when he asked her if she had a Phillips screwdriver. (Nowadays, of course, this probably wouldn't be possible...)

My wife & I recently gave her cousin a Leatherman Juice as a high school graduation gift. She'll be attending college in a town a couple of hours from home, & will be on her own for the first time. She laughed about it as a typical "David" gift (see a pattern here?)

A few weeks later, the cousin told me she'd read an article in some magazine about "absolute must haves" for the dorm room. The exact Leatherman orange Juice we'd given her was listed, & she thanked me again. She doesn't know it, but she'll probably get a small FAK & a Photon when I can arrange it. :-)

Spread the word!!! The more people who have their own stuff, the less we'll have to share ours with them! ;-)

David