Hi, new to the boards and I have a question for anyone with decent survival experience. I am a DOD contractor and due to the nature of my job I often travel to unpleasant places such as the jungles of South East Asia, the Middle East, etc. Fortunately or unfortunatly everywhere I travel I have to go through airport security. I used to carry everything I needed for 3-4 months in a carry on, but now you can not take anything sharp or pointy through the detectors. My survival instruction in the Navy was all at sea oriented, but I find myself on the ground for extended periods more and more. Particulary in the Middle East where I have decided having a survival kit and escape plan is a good idea. Unfortunatly all my survival training is for at sea and on top of that it's hard to carry knives, etc. with you overseas through the airports. I really want to put together a decent personal survival kit that I can carry and/or put in a carry-on bag along with all my other stuff. Unfortunately, thanks to the airport rules I really am not sure what to do. If I am in going to be in country long enough I could aquire a knife in country on landing, but I would still like to have a kit to take with me while in transit that won't get me arrested at the terminal. I need it to be able to fit in with my clothes and other travel items. I also want to get more training on land based survival. Particularly in desert and jungle climates. Due to restriction on travel I am wondering if my best bet is to attend a 'primitive skills' survival class or some such. My vacation are usually a couple of months long, so I should have the time. But I would like to make sure I learn somethings based on what I am likely to be able to carry with me going through the airports of the world. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

This link proved invaluable to me:

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_12_18_2003.pdf

Basically, knives, or any other cutting blade, are prohibited. Scroll down the page and you will find a fairly comprehensive list. I have heard that some people are shipping knives ahead of them.

Regards, Vince

I would search the forum for several threads on equipment/supplies/gear for travel, especially through airports and other government buildings. With that said, I would also look at Doug’s lists of equipment/supplies/gear and then eliminate those items that would pose a problem at security checkpoints. Many items i.e. knives, multi-tools, etc. can still be sent though with your check in luggage provided the country (ies) of destination do not prohibit such items.

As to survival training, I would tend to migrate towards programs/schools that will reflect the type of environment to which you intend on traveling. I would imagine a program that provides some across the board training would be an excellent start that can be supplemented with specific programs for a particular area of travel. Since your travels may include areas that have questionable personal security risks, a program that deals with those issues should certainly be included. Pete

After reading your post, I think you answered some of your own questions.

Survival training is good, but it seems like you have not gone through anything that is not wet up til now. Having a general or even specific survival training does seem to be in order. If you know you are going to be in a desert area for extended periods of time, a specific desert class(I have no informed opinions, I am sure someone will come up with something) is in order.

Several places on this board, people have asked simmilar questions about getting sharps thru security. It usually winds up with several answers.

1 Don't even try.
2 Mail it to yourself.
3 Get a conceal carry permit. (not practical, but a fun thing to think about)
4 Carry non metalic equivilants of what you think you need.

I am sure I am missing some points.

A thing to think about with an EDC in an air transport situation is what would you need in the airport, on the plane and when you land on the other side. If you know you can purchase Tylonol on the other end, do you need to stash more than a trial size pack in with your carry on? If you find that you have something that you can't get through security, consider if you really need it. Remember that a SAK can be a controlled item, but you can purchase a cooking knife almost anywhere.

Rena

Vagabond:

Sharp is still out, and if you carry the plastic or resin knives, they will know you were trying to evade their screening and the punishment will be much more severe.

Someone on this board mentioned a lighter and hair spray for a blow torch effect, but I believe pressurized containers were frowned upon on airplanes even before 9-11.

One thus far overlooked item is a modern ball and chain style club on a minature scale. They look like and write like pens but the top is a solid little billet of steel attached to a chain which is housed in the barrel of the pen and attached to the pen.

The idea is to flick the end into the face, preferably the eyes, or use it as a weighted whip to exposed sensitive areas.

This device is not universally known and is technically legal to carry based on current TSA regulations.

It has been a long time since I had access to people that deal in this sort of item, so I do not know where you could purchase one, but you could modify an existing pen and make your own. If you use a good quality wire or chain and make it long enough, it can also be used as a looping weapon.

Bountyhunter

According to the TSA .pdf file, hairspray can be taken carry-on or checked in. They may allow a small amount of rubbing alcohol to be taken onboard (early on I thought they allowed it).

Hi Vagabond.. welcome on board. I do not operate under US regulations and customs, but perhaps your DOD would be the best port of call for advice on shipping in a PSK, if you are under contract to them. If they are expecting you to operate in a risky environment would they not provide ways and means to enable you to be suitably equipped? Would this not come under duty of care law?
In your shoes I would be suggesting they transport your sharps etc via military/diplomatic channels. After all, they have had plenty of practice at it...!!!
Cheers, PeterR, Australia.

I don't know if you want to try and sneak pointy or dangerous objects in your carry on. If you are going to be a contractor in the badlands, the last thing you want to do is raise the ire of people who may already be displeased with a foreigner's presence in their home country.

Maybe you could whip up an E&E bag (a non-descript fanny pouch with the essentials) and keep it in the top of your check-in baggage. When you get in country, pop it on first thing so if you get separated from your gear, at least you have that. Maybe run a D-ring around a loop or the pack strap and your belt so if they try to grab it will give enough resistance for you to react accordingly.

Do you get some sort of pre-deployment briefing? That would be a good time to ask.

Are you able to get in touch with other contractors who have been through a rotation recently? They would be the best bet for intel.

I'm guessing lots of lipbalm and sunscreen. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Stay safe!

Thanks for your comments and helpful suggestions gents and ladies. Really I am trying to put the best kit together that I can without breaking the law. Instead of sharps I was thinking more of things that I might be able to take to improvise sharps in the field if necessary. In cities I should be able to aquire some things I agree, but as much as I bounce from country to country I can not really afford to keep buying and tossing equipment. I need to be able to cover the basics like food and water as well as medical supplies to cover most circumstances given the constraints on travel. I also need to keep it light which means probably keeping it pretty basic. I am thinking more of the if you couldn't carry anything on the prohibited list, how good of a kit can you make. Can you compensate for the sharps with other items that will either substitute or allow production of need items in the field? I was thinking of taking Doug Ritter personal survival kit found at AMK and removing anything prohibited for all the time carry and doing something similar with a personal kit that would stay in my bag. That or the other option is a completly custom kit. That's why I was asking about maybe a primite skills survival class to make the most of given items. Problem is the desert is pretty harsh and from what I have seen without some significant water and food carrying capability you can get into trouble fast. Part of my problem is weeding out to the truly essential or important items that will make things light enought to carry while still getting the job done. I would be happy to hear any thoughts you all might have.

Contact the airline beforehand. Explain your situation, and provide proof of DoD employment. Perhaps they allow certain items to be checked in the cockpit at the Captain's discretion. You'll have to show up way in advance of your flight for the crew to go through your kit and make sure it is what you say it is. A 'gift' to the flight crew for special service would probably be greatly appreciated.

If you figure out alternative improvided personal defensive items, make sure they're not considered 'dual use'. Flashlights are ok, but something tells me that, for example, the Surefire Executive Defender isn't gonna make it through. Camera accessories are ok, but that tripod...couldn't it be an expandible baton?

I'm wondering if certain ID's would cause hassle. Throwing stars are on the prohib list, but would a travelling Sherrif's Deputy be permitted to carry their badge out of professional courtesy?