Could you walk out the door with what is in your pockets?

[tyrantblade]

in fanny pack glock 29 wit spare mag,surefire g2
altoids can:with band aids,fishing line/fish hooks
pocket saw,matches,rubber straps,foil,etc.
right pocket bm rukus or similar clip folder
left pocket sak soldier,firesteel,redi edge
left pocket(back) wallet no money married
right pocket(rear) spyderco endura
on belt leatherman wave/toolkit,bm 201
sprint treo 700wx

tyrantblade

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

I have my PSK with me every day in the truck. I also have hidden in my tool box...a CS bushman with Normark sheath and a Tramontina 14" machete...and in my pockets...a Leatherman Micra and Buck Strider....I think that I would do alright. I also carry extra clothes and water bottles...I am in construction..so my truck is full of useful tools, such as saws and hammers, wrenches and rope, straps .....all kinds of stuff.

 

[siguy]

"Could you walk out the door with what is in your pockets?"

i do every day...

could iwalk ou the door and survive in an emergency situation? maybe. in the summer i would have it easy, no real need to start a fire, no real need for shelter most nights, etc.

for long periods of time i would be out of luck though, no food or water or water purification on me, just matches, lip balm and an opinel.

i do keep a very stripped down grab bag handy; water, tarp, power bars, hatchet.

looking at mygear, i realize that it looks like i am depending on luck to get me through an emergency situation. maybe i should revamp my gear.

in short, no i could not walk out the door and survive withmy pockets.:jerkit:

 

[Smash05]

The point of all of this is 1. Mindset, and 2. Gear. Gear is second simply because we cannot ALWAYS have what we need. I work in an urban environment, with rivers and hills between myself and home. I take public transit everyday. Taking a car is foolhardy and a waste of resources. So, that shapes what I bring with me. As far as the situations I listed, those are potential events, I don't plan around them. I plan around the idea that a hypothetical event may separate me from my bag, which houses most of the gear I have decided needs to be there. This separation from my gear does not change my goal, but does change how I have to think about preparing for it. I do not know why one particular poster insists on continuing to find ways to tell me I am over reacting, that will never happen, or accusing me of changing the topic. He asked for specifics, I gave them to him. I don't sit here and think - if an earthquake happens I am going to do this. I think of this one thing: If something happened that caused me to leave work without my edc bag, and I had to walk home, would I have what I need? I think I would be ok as it is now, but I could make some small preparations to make it better - thats it. No mysticism, no craziness, just honest thought provoking discussion and brainstorming. Tell me I'm crazy, that's fine.

 

[StuToffee]

Whenever I leave the house I ALWAYS have:-

keyring (keys, utilikey, fauxton, flint rod, spycapsule w/ £10 note, whistle)
Watch
Wallet (cash, cards, condom, JD Ti card, SAK Swisscard)
Knife (often a SAK Explorer with Swedish steel, spycapsule of vaseline cotton & fauxton)
or Buck Strider 889 with tritium vials in scales & fauxton attached

Additionally, I often carry a CRKT Sting fixed blade & Surefire E2D or Inova X5 light.

 

[medusaoblongata]

A few other things that could come in handy in an urban situation are cash (definitely enough to take a cab home, but a few hundred $ would be better) and an extra cell phone battery.

I can't really see fish hooks and fire rods being that useful in the city (I don't carry them).

 

[Zero_Time]

First, let me say that I have contemplated this very question many times myself without the benefit of fellow forumites to flame me . So the conclusion I came to on my own is this: that all preparation is a tradeoff. Duh! But specifically, this means that:

Taking a car is foolhardy and a waste of resources. So, that shapes what I bring with me. As far as the situations I listed, those are potential events, I don't plan around them. I plan around the idea that a hypothetical event may separate me from my bag, which houses most of the gear I have decided needs to be there. This separation from my gear does not change my goal, but does change how I have to think about preparing for it.

add in not freaking out your co-workers (one of your criteria).

The point is, EVERY bit of preparation can be seen as foolhardy and a waste of resources!!! A bulletproof car weighs more, takes specialized maintenance, needs a bigger engine, consumes more gas, can't be taken to the local car wash... and a bulletproof car IS foolhardy until it's needed. Then it was forward thinking. The point is, to you, a car is foolhardy and a waste of resources. And in general, it is. However, isn't it foolhardy and a waste of resources to lug all this extra gear? To spend your time thinking about it? I mean, what are the chances you'll need it? Any preparation is, quite simply, doing more/expending more/wasting more resources than your fellow coworkers. So, you need to take all that into account. Now, my practical advice:

~Caches!!!! Really, there is no finer solution to what you are asking for. There is no one kit that will be optimal for all those situations, so a different kit is optimal! By having multiple caches in multiple locations, it means you can have flexibility with what situation to prepare for. Have one on the bottom floor near where you will need to evac- have it be, I dunno, a general urban survival bag that can help you get to more specialized caches. Have one in the alley near the liquor store that you would hide in if there were roving mobs of people ala Katrina. Get creative. Really, trying to carry everything ON your person in business casual is ridiculous. Maybe if your briefcase that you ALWAYS carried was a survival rig, but on your person? Pssh. What if you get mugged and they take your bag/ jacket with stuff? That's a very real possibility in terms of SHTF. So prepare for that. Best of luck.
Zero

 

[DOC-CANADA]

First, let me say that I have contemplated this very question many times myself without the benefit of fellow forumites to flame me . So the conclusion I came to on my own is this: that all preparation is a tradeoff. Duh! But specifically, this means that:
add in not freaking out your co-workers (one of your criteria).

The point is, EVERY bit of preparation can be seen as foolhardy and a waste of resources!!! A bulletproof car weighs more, takes specialized maintenance, needs a bigger engine, consumes more gas, can't be taken to the local car wash... and a bulletproof car IS foolhardy until it's needed. Then it was forward thinking. The point is, to you, a car is foolhardy and a waste of resources. And in general, it is. However, isn't it foolhardy and a waste of resources to lug all this extra gear? To spend your time thinking about it? I mean, what are the chances you'll need it? Any preparation is, quite simply, doing more/expending more/wasting more resources than your fellow coworkers. So, you need to take all that into account. Now, my practical advice:

~Caches!!!! Really, there is no finer solution to what you are asking for. There is no one kit that will be optimal for all those situations, so a different kit is optimal! By having multiple caches in multiple locations, it means you can have flexibility with what situation to prepare for. Have one on the bottom floor near where you will need to evac- have it be, I dunno, a general urban survival bag that can help you get to more specialized caches. Have one in the alley near the liquor store that you would hide in if there were roving mobs of people ala Katrina. Get creative. Really, trying to carry everything ON your person in business casual is ridiculous. Maybe if your briefcase that you ALWAYS carried was a survival rig, but on your person? Pssh. What if you get mugged and they take your bag/ jacket with stuff? That's a very real possibility in terms of SHTF. So prepare for that. Best of luck.
Zero

This is certainly one way of addressing the problem. For me, though, the solution is to learn how to make or adapt things found in nature (and elsewhere, in the case of urban survival) to fulfill all my needs, in other words, skills and knowledge over gear. I just got Cody Lundin's 'When All Hell Breaks Loose' and there is a neat picture of a book, 2 pencils, some dental floss and a match utilized as a Paiute deadfall to 'make meat' -'specialty of the house' - mouse

This is not to suggest, though, that a well thought out PSK couldn't make things a whole lot easier.

As far as all this preparation being foolhardy - I do it because it's extremely interesting to me, actually an obsession, not because of a perceived need. Although, if the need presents itself..................

Doc

 

[batosai117]

This is certainly one way of addressing the problem. For me, though, the solution is to learn how to make or adapt things found in nature (and elsewhere, in the case of urban survival) to fulfill all my needs, in other words, skills and knowledge over gear. I just got Cody Lundin's 'When All Hell Breaks Loose' and there is a neat picture of a book, 2 pencils, some dental floss and a match utilized as a Paiute deadfall to 'make meat' -'specialty of the house' - mouse

This is not to suggest, though, that a well thought out PSK couldn't make things a whole lot easier.

As far as all this preparation being foolhardy - I do it because it's extremely interesting to me, actually an obsession, not because of a perceived need. Although, if the need presents itself..................

Doc

I couldn't agree more. Mind over matter type stuff. Regardless of how smart I'd like to think I am, I still carry tons of stuff in my pockets but all in a small package. I have an altoids tin in my front left pocket which contains everything I need except for my knife. It has: windproof/waterproof matches ct.20, lantern flint starter, small tube which also contains: fishing line and hook, two needles with thread, extra matches and strike pad, the altoid tin also contains two small bars of those firestarting sticks which light up very quickly and burn for a few minutes, and finally some cotton balls. A lot of stuff for a small package, but surprisingly it all fits, even the small tube that I mentioned. I can start a fire 3-4 different ways! Then I either have my Benchmade Griptilian or my Emerson Commander on me along with my SOG Powerlock for everything else. It never hurts to be prepared, which is my scout motto, Be Prepared.

 

[rfbadger]

Left front pocket
Keys, cash, coin and a Spyderco Delica 4

Right front pocket
Vic Sak Compact, microlight, mini Bic, tube of Carmex

Left rear pocket
White hankerchief

Can't carry concealed in the Peoples Republic of Wisconsin. But if I could it would be my Colt Cobra .38 Spcl.

 

[medusaoblongata]

Thinking more about this, the OP's situation is somewhat specific (walking away from his desk without his bag and then having to make it back home), but the situation is also more general. A bag is something that, by definition, you can be separated from. You can carry all kinds of gear in a bag, and much less on your person. I always carry my most essential EDC gear on my person, and secondary or backup gear in my bag. Anyone can become separated from their gear bag in any number of ways, so I think it's important for all of us to carry enough on our persons that we're not totally screwed if the bag goes AWOL for whatever reason.

While, of course, the importance of mindset, skills, and knowledge cannot be overestimated, there are also items which can be very helpful, if not necessary, in certain situations, and there's nothing wrong with a thread that focuses on them and ways to carry them on your person.

 

[texastonydobbs]

Buy your self a small camera bag or cell phone holder,using the belt loop portion to attach to your belt and toss items you need into the small camera bag,if seen by co worker and the label on bag says sony/nikon/canon/ draws less attention or no at all.

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't think I would survive long with just what is in my pockets. If you feel you have to carry stuff, then a fanny pouch is one answer and it would make carrying the pocket revolver a little easier. Do you really want to walk around with a fanny pouch all the time? I don't.

As was mentioned, you only need to prepare for what it takes to get you home where you have more resources. For most, I suspect the commute is not more than 20 miles and that is walkable if you have to. A bicycle would be a lot handier. A scooter/moped would be a great solution. I have often thought about a moped type cycle (like they use in tourist areas, except more powerful), but it is not practical for the distances I drive, transporting what I need for a job, or going to client locations. So, I'm in the walking camp when it comes down to the basics, and other than good health and maybe rain gear, most have what it takes to make the hike.

 

[Smash05]

While, of course, the importance of mindset, skills, and knowledge cannot be overestimated, there are also items which can be very helpful, if not necessary, in certain situations, and there's nothing wrong with a thread that focuses on them and ways to carry them on your person.

Exactly my thoughts

 

[Chewy1]

I tried it just now, and I am happy to report that I was able to walk out the door with what is in my pockets. )

If I tried to survive, well, the one thing that I have is a high limit Mastercard. First stop, Gander Mountain!!!

 

[Peak_Oil]

I want to be clear because one or two posts deal with it. I have alot of stuff in my carry bag, but assume that I cannot use that. Here is the scenario. I leave my office to go downstairs to complete a task. An evacuation order comes, and there is no way to get back upstairs to my gear. There you have it. You now have to hit the streets with what is in your pockets. A leatherman on my belt at work will catch me some odd looks, and image is at least somewhat important here. Wearing a pullover or jacket of some kind will provide perhaps some concealment of things on my belt, or extra pockets.

Take your bag with you everywhere you go. My workplace is riddled with thieves, that's just how it is. Every time I sit down I put my pack on the table in front of me. If I'm going to be parked for more than half an hour I put one shoulder strap around my ankle. I get up to go to the bathroom, it goes over one shoulder. I go outside, it goes with me.

At my next job it'll be similar, except I've picked up a number of luggage locks to put through the zipper pulls, and will have it locked to a metal bar. I never let it out of my sight if I can help it.

Bottom line, if it's not in your hand, it may never be in your hand again.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

.......I just got Cody Lundin's 'When All Hell Breaks Loose' and there is a neat picture of a book, 2 pencils, some dental floss and a match utilized as a Paiute deadfall to 'make meat' -'specialty of the house' - mouse Doc

Thinking about Cody's book inspired me to do a little urban trapping myself.

Fig. 4 made with pencils - thought that particular book might bring me good luck.



Success!

Well, sort of. I guess the lessons from this are that many things can be improvised to fulfill our needs; traps should be sized for the game you're after ; and just because it looks like a critter, doesn't mean it will cook up well.

Doc

Man, I think I have to cut back on the rye and cokes

 

[hlee]

Left front pocket: Car, house, and lab keys
Right front pocket: Mini manix and $1.50 in change.
Right back pocket: wallet
Left back pocket: empty
Jacket contains 1 pair of leather gloves and a princeton tech quad head lamp.

I walk out the door with aproximately this every day, so I guess the answer is yes.

 

[Torm]

Could you walk out the door with what is in your pockets?

I've got a wallet, watch, knife, keys with attached Princeton Tec Pulsar 2 LED, sunglasses, cigs, and a Bic lighter in my pants and jacket pockets so it wouldn't be ideal for a survival situation. However, there's more gear in my messenger bag while on business and a bug out bag in my trunk and at home in easy reach if needed.

 

[Dr. Mudd]

I'm not familiar with the .38 S&W that you carry, but am surprised that it doesn't leave some sort of telltale bulge in your pocket. Must be very small. ...

A small, light pistol or revolver CARRIED IN A QUALITY POCKET HOLSTER (stiff leather) doesn't print in my pants.