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EDC Survival VS Everything You Own

J

JMAN86

Joined
Sep 7, 2009
Messages
303
When you're out practicing survival skills and bushcraft do you find yourself only bringing EDC items or an entire pack full of gear with every tool and back up item you can fit?

I've been reading what a lot of people carry into the bush for a night or two and in my opinion it kind of defeats the purpose wouldn't you think? Some of these guys are packing 3 compasses, 2 signal mirrors, a whistle on the neck and 2 more in the pack, 10 ways to make a fire, 2 tarps, 5 emergency blankets, a wool blanket, a neck knife, boot knife, pocket knife, fixed blade on the hip, axe, hatchet, folding saw, machete, etc, etc... It just goes on and on!

Now I've never been one to knock someone for doing what they like to do (this post is not a flame at all!), to each his own, but chances are if you ever REALLY get put in a survival situation all you're gunna have is EDC right?

I guess there's really no harm in going out practicing with a full pack, you get to use and try all the methods you have but I think people get used to that comfort and could be freaked out if they get stranded with 95% of their gear at home.

How do you feel about all of this?
 
JMAN86 said:
I've been reading what a lot of people carry into the bush for a night or two and in my opinion it kind of defeats the purpose wouldn't you think? Some of these guys are packing 3 compasses, 2 signal mirrors, a whistle on the neck and 2 more in the pack, 10 ways to make a fire, 2 tarps, 5 emergency blankets, a wool blanket, a neck knife, boot knife, pocket knife, fixed blade on the hip, axe, hatchet, folding saw, machete, etc, etc... It just goes on and on!
Click to expand...

can you show me a post where that is the case?

I dont think I've ever seen someone on here with 3 compasses, and you know what even if I dont, whats the deal, they weigh next to nothing, same with the signal mirrors and emergency blankets. Axe, hatchet, folding saw and machete I know I have never seen, at least not on a normal camping trip, testing trip maybe.

I know my pack may have some extra's, but when I get out its usually because Im hauling someone else out, so they will need gear for them selves.


So, again, where have you seen that on these boards?
 
Well, the pack they go out with, is the stuff they take when they go in the woods. Or at least it is for me. So that IS what I would have in that type of situation.

YMMV
 
I think you see some redundancy on this forum because a lot of times people here layer their gear. I will have several items that repeat. You may have someone that has a small neck rig with whistle, compass, small knife maybe even a signal mirror.

Then in a PSK or 10 essentials you would find the same gear.

Lastly you would find similar gear in my daypack or backpack depending on how long I planned on being out. I think most of the people who frequent this forum are big on being prepared.

I have never seen what you are speaking about 5 emergency blankets and such. I would like to see the post you are talking about myself.

Paul
 
do_not_feed_trolls.jpg
 
I didn't say I read it on these boards nor did I intend to say it was negative so don't take offence to it. I've only been on here for a few weeks. I do however see a lot of it on YouTube especially.

I don't think I got my point across well enough and I apologize if you took it the wrong way.

I'm not talking about packing a full kit when your backpacking, hiking, trekking, camping, etc. I'm talking about going out to just practice your survival skills. Not everone has a full pack on all the time to rely on. I want to know if anyone ever just goes out with EDC only? I sure as hell don't bring my pack on a quick day hike or to and from work every day. If something were to happen and I didn't get comfortable with only having my EDC available I could be in for a rough time.

Did that help clarify things at all?
 
Fonly said:
can you show me a post where that is the case?

I dont think I've ever seen someone on here with 3 compasses, and you know what even if I dont, whats the deal, they weigh next to nothing, same with the signal mirrors and emergency blankets. Axe, hatchet, folding saw and machete I know I have never seen, at least not on a normal camping trip, testing trip maybe.

I know my pack may have some extra's, but when I get out its usually because Im hauling someone else out, so they will need gear for them selves.


So, again, where have you seen that on these boards?
Click to expand...


I was being slightly sarcastic bud. Sorry you couldn't figure that out. Of course no one takes 5 emergency blankets, damn...
 
EDIT: OP responded while I was typing, and confirmed my initial impressions. Here is my original post:

I didn't read the OP the way some have. That is, I didn't think he literally has seen individuals with 5 emergency blankets. Maybe he has, but I thought he was exaggerating to show a point.

What I took from his post was an interesting proposal, which is practicing survival with EDC. I know I am woefully unprepared with my EDC, but I work in a professional environment (carry a CR Mnandi on my person and Leatherman Wave in my briefcase). Further, I could walk from work to home in about an hour. However, if one is caught in a true survival situation one will not have (in most situations) no more than EDC.

Interesting proposal.
 
JMAN86 said:
I'm talking about going out to just practice your survival skills. Not everone has a full pack on all the time to rely on. I want to know if anyone ever just goes out with EDC only?
Click to expand...

Yes. I do, often.

(Except for using the twine and fishooks in my Altoids tin to catch fish.)
 
There's no reason to not pack the necessary gear you need to be comfortable in the bush while still practicing your survival skills. Am I going to practice making a makeshift emergency shelter out of the natural materials around me? Of course. Am I going to sleep in it for 3 nights when I could sleep in a nice comfy tent instead? No way. Am I going to make sure I know how to start a friction fire and which types of wood is best to use? Definitely. Am I still going to bring a fire steel? Absolutely. If I suddenly found myself in a survival situation with absolutely nothing but the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet will the knowledge I possess help me stay alive and get back home? To me, that question is a far more important issue than the gear I bring with me.

/my2cents
 
jurisprudence said:
EDIT: OP responded while I was typing, and confirmed my initial impressions. Here is my original post:

I didn't read the OP the way some have. That is, I didn't think he literally has seen individuals with 5 emergency blankets. Maybe he has, but I thought he was exaggerating to show a point.

What I took from his post was an interesting proposal, which is practicing survival with EDC. I know I am woefully unprepared with my EDC, but I work in a professional environment (carry a CR Mnandi on my person and Leatherman Wave in my briefcase). Further, I could walk from work to home in about an hour. However, if one is caught in a true survival situation one will not have (in most situations) no more than EDC.

Interesting proposal.
Click to expand...

An interesting proposal indeed. It would make sense to practice your skills using the bare minimum required. Then, when faced with the prospect of surviving in a situation where you have the bare minimum, you know how to get by, and when you have more than the bare minimum, you will be secure in the knowledge that you could get by with less.

I don't think the OP is anything to get offended over, he is simply trying to make a point.
 
JMAN86 said:
I was being slightly sarcastic bud. Sorry you couldn't figure that out. Of course no one takes 5 emergency blankets, damn...
Click to expand...

sarcasim doesn't come across well on the internet, and to be honest, with the post count you have, I didn't expect much from ya, bud.


Either way, the next question you had:


On a day hike no, not all my gear comes along, a camelback or similar, and my PSK is what comes with me, then what ever belt knife I chose that day.
 
Here's a current thread that addresses the same question:
Headed out with a light load

I'll be heading out for 3 days 2 nights this fri.. for a bit of camping and bushcraft shennanigans My goal is to tuck all my gear into this:http://www.fatiguesarmynavy.com/stor..._Military_Bags
I replaced the strap with a wider more durable one...and attatched my Fak to the strap
In it I've fit:
usgi poncho
50 paracord
small spool of twine
Homemade billycan
1qt of water
1match case of PJCB
1 mach case with matches and lighter
My stone bearing block
Extra knife (mora swak)
Bandanna
headlamp
DMT diafold
Spork
2 garbage bags
also a Brunton compass
and a small repair kit for fixing damaged clothing or gear

It leaves me verry little space left for food But fif I keep it small it should work out...

THe only thing that doesn't fit is my bed roll whcih will consist of a Wool blanket ( machete is rolled inside the blanket as well)

On my person is
(neck carry) fox 40 whistle, bsa hotspark, Inova micro light

belt
Lam mora #1
LM wave
usgi canteen and cup



No pics as I'm at work.. any thoughts/suggestions
Click to expand...
 
JMAN86,

Bear in mind that often we head out with the intent to test gear, not necessarily putting our PSK to the task. (This is obviously important as well, but I can see how a post where a guy brings eight knives on a dayhike could be confusing.)

-- FLIX
 
The name of this forum is wilderness and survival skills.

wilderness...skills. So it isn't all about 'survival situations'

Also, there isn't a whole lot of difference between my EDC and what I would bring on a long hike. At least if you count what I have in my car.
 
JMAN86 said:
Didn't expect to get jumped on for trying to discuss a topic I was curious about.
Click to expand...

People here (and on the internet in general) tend to get a little touchy if it seems like you're ridiculing them, even if that was not your intent.
 
Don't be oversensitive. Most of the replies are now turning from condemnation to conversation. Keep in mind we have had a rash of trolls lately, and some of the guys are oversensitive to the possibility themselves.
 
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