EDC Survival VS Everything You Own

[kgd]

I'm probably strange, but I have a full bug out bag that I take to work every day (office job). My bag has a couple of knives, fire - very redundant, compass, GPS, work gloves, full first aid kit, heat sheat x 2, garbage bags, you name it. Of course, when not going to work, I just don't pack my laptop, through in a rain coat and I use the same thing for day hikes.

Sure I get the odd weird comment now and again when somebody sees what I have. But tonight, afterwork we had some beers. I had my bag with me and we walked over to the river. I pulled out doc canada's sling that he gave me and we started whipping rocks. That was a blast. So on the one hand you can say - a primitive weapon is kind of dumb to tote around in an urban setting. On the otherhand it proved to be great entertainment. Several times now I've done improptu fire making with my kit contents, mostly for fun and entertainment. My primitive magic tricks - flint and steel, ferro-rod + bug juice + fuzz from my cotton sock....Its all good. Keeps my skills up to snuff, makes the ladies smile, gets me a free round of beer.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I carry my kit into the woods for a couple of reasons:

1.) So I'm used to carrying it. If you're used to going out with little to noting, then if you go with a pack, the weight seems burdensome.

2.) Although I may be practicing skills with the bare minimum, there's no reason not to have backup should my practice fail. Goes along the lines of the best way to survive a survival situation is to not get in one. So if my fire drill fails, why put myself in the position of being in a hyprthermic situation, when I could just break out the Bic and some ready made tinder, and just face the fact that I have to practice more before I can depend on my skills as I stare into my nice, warm fire?
3.) If you're used to having your gear on you, chances are you WILL have it in situ, so to speak.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I'm probably strange, but I have a full bug out bag that I take to work every day (office job). My bag has a couple of knives, fire - very redundant, compass, GPS, work gloves, full first aid kit, heat sheat x 2, garbage bags, you name it. Of course, when not going to work, I just don't pack my laptop, through in a rain coat and I use the same thing for day hikes.
.

Yes, you are strange!
Your job has a serious outdoor component.
No surprise you are so attached to your gear.

 

[kgd]

Yes, you are strange!
Your job has a serious outdoor component.
No surprise you are so attached to your gear.

True enough....I am strange..Admittedly most time I'm in an office and the odd time I get my feet wet

 

[banana-clip]

I usually stay close by when I have my EDC items, but if I'm going for a long hike i bring a small pack with essential items, but never ever brought several compasses, or emergency blankets...lol...usually just one of each unless its water or food.

 

[dougo83]

I think it depends totally on the nature of my trip. I always have my EDC on me. After all, that's how it got its name. It changes from time to time in composition, but it has the same basic flavor:

Blade, Fire, Bandanna, MT, Water, navigation...

So, if I go out into the woods to TEST gear, I will take a ton of gear that I would never carry fulltime. For example, when Sportsman's Warehouse went under, I went out and bought a ton of gear, including 4 different types, styles and models of GPS handhelds. Do I need all 4 of them? Well, duh, no. However, I was able to take all 4 of them out and determine that the Garmin E-Trex performs my required functions just as well as the Brunton Atlas and the Brunton Atlas MNS and is much easier to operate that the Magellan Triton 300.

Same thing goes with knives. I will take out a good handful of cutting tools just to see what I am most comfortable using. A good portion of my gear is purchased online so I have no true way of knowing how well it fits in my hand, how well it holds and edge under stress, or how long I can use it before I start getting hot spots on my palm.

After taking out an unusually large assortment of kit, I can decide what goes where. I have a handful of different packs laying around, each with a different purpose. I have a CamelBak for one man day hikes/overnighters, another one for group outings, and a third set-up for when I take my church youth group out. Not to mention my BOB/vehicle kit, my campus kit, or the kit that I carry as a spare for my less-experienced amigos. I am also slowly forming a kit for SAR if I can get on the team...

See? There is a reason that alot of us take a bunch of crap out from time to time. I woul submit that many of us do not carry that much gear every trip, though I have been known to carry 5 or 6 blades just because I can.

 

[sawgrass7]

I think what the OP is describing is these times. Most youngsters are enthralled with gear and the latest things but have little in the way of real skills and experience - in my experience of working outdoors with people for years. Everyone wants to be cool but not admit they are clueless, which is sad and can be dangerous. Then they get a video camera and it just gets embarassing... There are way too many entertainment options today for young lads to stay on task, I think.