Emergency Items around your neck?

D

dextersp1

Joined
Jun 1, 2007
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What emergency items do you carry around your neck?
I specifically thinking about backpacking.

I currently have a whistle with that has a button compass on it. But, I'm thinking I might be missing some good ideas - like a small light but I don't know of one that would be lite enough and be able to handle humidity from my body.

I have a fire steel, striker and knife in my backpack and my assumption is that I will not get separated from my pack. I usually hike alone and have a personal location beacon.
 
I read an article in Field and stream about a "survival" necklace. It was interesting to read and really got me thinking about that concept. I still haven't made one but it sounds like a great idea!
 
dextersp1 said:
I have a fire steel, striker and knife in my backpack and my assumption is that I will not get separated from my pack.
Click to expand...

That could be a dangerous assumption to make. I always have a few basic items that I keep on my person. It's usually not much. . . A pocket knife and/or a fixed blade, emergency whistle, and a lighter or a fire steel and baggie with PJ cotton balls is about the most I usually keep on me. I just like to have a little something on me in case of the unlikely event that I do get separated from my pack. Oh, and my map and compass usually ride in a cargo pocket too. I like to be able to get to them without taking my pack off.
 
Oh, and to actually answer your question. . . I don't like having things around my neck, so I usually don't carry anything except the whistle that way. I sometimes carry a knife on a piece of para-cord baldric style or with an improvised merc-harness type setup. I also carry a pouch that I usually wear on my belt that way sometimes too. It holds a multitool and a flashlight and a few other small items.
 
I worked with some BSA kids and troop leaders in NC on a project. Was making kydex sheaths and a couple of proto kits, for them to build their own out of.

It had a
Tool Logic Firesteel folding knife, that had a firesteel, light, and whistle
An emergency blanket (cheap but functional)
An emergency candle (I had to cut it down to 4" long)
Some para cord, CBPJ's in a straw
All wrapped around a kydex sheath, and held together with a big 'ol ranger band.

The idea was it was good fall back kit if something happened to them. Some of their variations got, er, um, a little "oversized" for neck carry, but the kids got the idea.

I don't wear things around my neck.

Moose
 
my WM1 "kit" goes w/ me anytime I head into the hills- it's my insurance if I were to ever get separated from my pack

weighs just just under 6 oz total and you don't even know it's there after a bit

wm1kitcontents.jpg


wm1kitfront.jpg


morningday4.jpg
 
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may i suggest a dogtag chain with a photon freedom microlight. i luv that light, & i've never had issues with humidity or sweat. the chain will break before it can be used against me.
 
Pants have pockets for a reason - Whatever is around your neck will be a leash
 
It would be smart to carry the bare essentials on your person (not in pack).

Also, please consider using ball chain and NOT paracord. Ball chain should break before strangling you, paracord won't. You can take a section of paracord and gut it, then slip the ball chain inside for a more comfortable necklace.

I would think a small LED light, a small compass, firesteel, maybe a whistle on the necklace. Then a sheath knife, multitool, and a small pouch for first aid/mylar blanket/cordage/maps/etc.
 
Don't assume you won't get separated from your pack. I always have an izula around my neck (ball chain). A flashlight and lighter are on my keychain. I feel pretty confident with those three items. Actually the izula and maratac aaa both get used daily.
 
I can't stand anything around my neck,I carry ferro rod,bic lighter,ceramic rod,whistle and a little jute for tinder in a cargo pocket.

I've found the Fenix E01 flashlights are excellent little lights.
 
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sptpr said:
may i suggest a dogtag chain with a photon freedom microlight. i luv that light, & i've never had issues with humidity or sweat. the chain will break before it can be used against me.
Click to expand...

Some good ideas. I'm going to think about it. I like the microlight idea.

I use this for around my neck. It is a rubber material so it doesn't absorb sweat and smell.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/pony-bead-lacing-887786/

I have the usual survival gear in my backpack - headlamp, personal location beacon, first aid, knife, compass etc.

But, for around my neck I'm thinking about last ditch items.

This is an old list of my equipment.
http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22194
 
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moosez45 said:
I worked with some BSA kids and troop leaders in NC on a project. Was making kydex sheaths and a couple of proto kits, for them to build their own out of.

It had a
Tool Logic Firesteel folding knife, that had a firesteel, light, and whistle
An emergency blanket (cheap but functional)
An emergency candle (I had to cut it down to 4" long)
Some para cord, CBPJ's in a straw
All wrapped around a kydex sheath, and held together with a big 'ol ranger band.

The idea was it was good fall back kit if something happened to them. Some of their variations got, er, um, a little "oversized" for neck carry, but the kids got the idea.

I don't wear things around my neck.

Moose
Click to expand...


That is a handy little tool. Seems to be well made too.
 
Gransfors Bruks neck knife and a Photon Freedom Micro Light CN.

I prefer belt holsters for the rest of my 'Emergency' (always on me) gear.
 
I take a very different approach to this when I am back packing, than I do when camping or hunting.

If on the trail, I'll have a neck knife, compass, whistle and monocular.

When camping or hunting, those items are in pockets or on my belt.
 
I don't tend to wear stuff around my neck.

I do have a set of dog tags, but don't wear them very often.

I've been thinking about buying a couple of blank tags, and turning them into "signal mirrors"...therefore making two "sets" of dog tags.

I have a ferro rod in a paracord keychain. also have a p-38 and utilikey on the keychain that will work as strikers. Also have a (pealess) whistle on that keychain.

Always have a SAK manager in another pocket, so I always have a knife on me (plus the already mentioned utilikey). also have a modified Key Sergeant in that pocket, so thats my micro-light. Plus I have a flashlight on my belt.


about the only thing I need to find, is a compass.
 
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