Survival Kit on You?

Gondor · 12-25-2011, 05:59 AM

How many of you out there really carries a survival kit on you at all times? Most people which I know and are gear/survival oriented are not that prepared in most situations. How about you? What's your EDC carry and does it include at least a basic survival gear?

**CozInCowtown** · 12-25-2011, 06:03 AM

All times??
Not as a general day-to-day but when we travel.
DC

beemerphill · 12-25-2011, 06:37 AM

The best "survival kit" is knowledge, and the right attitude. You can carry that between your ears. Anything else would just be a tool that you could use to enhance your skills.
Of course, a high-quality Swiss Army knife would make things a lot easier. A whole lot easier.

Lamebeaver · 12-25-2011, 07:38 AM

If I lived in LA, I'd have an earthquake kit in my car. I keep a bag in my car in case I get stranded in a blizzard (a real possability), and I have the five essentials with me when I'm hiking.

But normally, no. There's a fine line between proparedness and paranoia. I'm not going to spend any time at all worrying about events that are highly unlikely. If something occurs, I'll rely on my witts and common sense to see me through.

Grandpa · 12-25-2011, 08:44 AM

We have 72 hour kits in our vehicles because everything around here is big distance. Other than that, no. As has been said, it's in the head.

Michael · 12-25-2011, 09:41 AM

I take note of the things I find myself wishing I had on me. Then I bring those things with me where possible.

Mostly, that means a lighter, knife, and flashlight. If the knife is a Swiss Army model, even better (because then I can open cans, cut paper, etc). This isn't really a survival kit, but along with proper clothing is definitely a step in the right direction.

When I go hiking, I tend to bring a little more. More water than I need, more food than I need, first aid kit, rain poncho. Stuff like that. In general, it's enough that I could spend a night in the woods if I needed to, with protection from the weather and at least some food.

If I'm traveling a long way, I also bring some of the same stuff. The first aid kit likes to live in my bag if I'm going to be spending more than a few hours away from home, as do a couple of extra batteries for the flashlight.

None of this is really a survival kit. It is stuff that I've found really useful in the past and might in the future. I mean, I have found myself walking home in the dark and had the battery on my flashlight die, and I was really glad to have extra batteries in my pack. (I was walking on a back road with no street lights, in the woods. So it was dark.)

When people begin to discuss their EDC (Every Day Carry), a little warning light goes off. Because most of the stuff they bring is overkill. Sure, it'd be great in the event that you found yourself in the movie Red Dawn, but for the vast majority of the time you're more likely to get in trouble with the police for carrying 15 knives, 3 handguns, and more bullets than Walmart.

oldsarge · 12-25-2011, 10:02 AM

Everyone's situation is different and I can see how daily kits would vary. I personally don't have anything much more on me than a couple of knives on a daily basis. But If I were living in LA, I to would have a earthquake kit in my car, out in the boonies somewhere where the possibility of getting stranded on some remote road in the dead of winter, yes I would have a kit for that. beemerphill hit the nail on the head, it's all about knowledge and attitude, along with Lamebeaver's comment on drawing the line on Paranoia and preparedness.

MountainMan22 · 12-25-2011, 10:18 PM

I carry a fanny pack with everything I need to survive in it.

Really, I don't carry a survival kit at all, but in my car I do have certain items in case I'm stranded or something. I have a blanket and jug of water and other miscellaneous things.

craig · 12-26-2011, 08:36 AM

My EDC container is either winter jacket with a lot of pockets (during winter) or small fanny pack or belt pouch. I always carry a few survival items on me: firestarter, pocket knife, button compass, a few bandages and alcohol swabs, and a flashlight. Sometimes I'll even include tiny mylar blanket for shelter because it weighs nothing and it occupies approximately the same amount of space in my jacket/pouch.

Ready · 12-26-2011, 08:36 AM

We have a 72 hour kit in the trunk of the car at all times. We of course also keep a lot of blankets in the car. I've been stuck in snowstorms on numerous occasions. Heck, I was once stuck in a really bad storm for 30 hours during my commute home from work and it was nice to have some water, granola bars and warm blankets.

As far as going into the wilderness I'd never go without some sort of water purification and a knife.