essentials

[murderedsongbird]

so i just started classes again and got a basic european rucksack to carry my books in but would like to carry some survival essentials. ilive in austin so i think it should be geared toward urban elements. i'm new to this so i was hoping i could get a little help...

 

[kgd]

First aid kit (Tweezers, bandaids, guaze, triangle bandage, safety pins, alcohol wipes, polysporin, molle skin, imodium, antihistimine pills, aspirin, nitrile gloves). Swiss army knife, bic lighter, firesteel, piece of fatwood, 1 L ziplock freezer bag, 1 garbage bag, small flashlight, 10' paracord. Water tight container - like a lock'n'lock brand plastic container. $20 rolled up & socked away in there.

 

[6shooter]

Flashlight with spare batteries, detailed street maps of the city/surrounding area, some sort of water bottle, an energy bar or two, one or two bandanas, a pair of durable gloves(both for winter warmth, and using in an emergency ie: pull people from a car wreck, building collapse, etc.). As well as a FAK and lighter and other stuff KGD mentioned, though I would drop the waterproof container and just carry a water bottle/canteen/nalgene, filled with water, so you don't need to bother finding any when you need it.

 

[sicily02]

I would look at getting a multi tool. Like a leather man wave. In a urban area they really come in handy. and it does not look like knife in case you are around people that are scared to see a knife in use.
I am never with out mine.

Bryan

 

[MrCoffee]

+1 for the multi-tool, and/or a SAK for sure. Urban environment, you might want to think about maybe a countycomms breech bar, or a prybar of sorts, and you might consider one of thier small radio's too. Being in town, never hurts to be able to listen to the news if something is going down. Flashlight is one of the more important items (enough so I carry one on my person at all times). Spare keys to anything you use on a normal daily basis.

And of course the items already mentioned.

 

[baldtaco-II]

I'm not nerd about the urban stuff so I just carry a few things that I find useful for real world use rather than what if scenarios.

SAK
Pliers
Torch – [if you don't use a headlamp get a method of attaching the torch to your head somehow].
PP3 cell LED lantern
Bit of String
A few rubber bands
A couple of tin foil takeaway containers pressed flat
Gloves
Spare lighter
Bin bag
Bit of duct tape wrapped round something
Pen
Paper clip
Simple first aid scrape kit – no need to go mad.

I've not included any pyromania stuff. If I can't get a blunt going by using some of the first aid kit then I'm so FUBAR that jesus on a unicorn passing me a flamethrower wouldn't make much difference to the outcome.

Far from comprehensive but it's the kinda stuff that works and lives discretely in a vest to solve real world problems whether that be getting water into my dog, treating a wasp sting, or cleaning a fan on the north bridge. Other stuff is added as events dictate but these are fundamentals to me.

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

Make certain that you are in compliance with school, local, and state laws for your area. May mean that a blade is no no. Here is a Leatherman option without a knife if that would be more permissable:

http://www.leatherman.com/multi-tools/full-size-tools/knifeless-fuse.aspx

If having the knife is not an issue, then a Leatherman Wave is a great tool! If you want a smaller multitool then consider a Squirt.

Other things that have been suggested are right well thought out.

Cheers.

 

[kvaughn]

The large-55 gal- heavy duty garbage bags have a great number of uses. Shelter making,impromptu rain gear or back pack, ground cloth,stuffed with grass and leaves for a sleeping pad. two can be made into waders. ETC...--KV

 

[CID25]

My EDC urban backpack has:

first aid
duct tape
leatherman wave
small folding sharpener
garbage bag
a few paper towels
flashlight
water bottle
work gloves
spare boot laces
stick of deodorant
some gum

 

[hoopster]

I would add a face mask to filter dust, debris and viruses (bandanas would work also). I would also want a flashlight that's bright enough to give a tactical advantage since that might be the only protection you have at night.

 

[JK Knives]

I think most things have been covered. I would add a good loud whistle in case you do get stuck somewhere. It beats the heck out of yelling for help. When my youngest daughter went away to college I made her up a kit containing similiar items to those mentioned. In her case the whistle was also for if she got bothered by anyone to use to signal help. It happened once, but she did not use it, she beat the daylights out of the drunk SOB instead, made me proud!

 

[Rick Marchand]

I'm not a fan of the "little bit of everything in an Altoids tin" survival kits. Even in experienced hands, most are one-shot wonders. IMO, you are better off with choosing fewer "multipurpose" items in larger quantities.

Dental Floss - break a pack open and remove the roll to cut down on space. DF is very strong and can be used for repair, binding, snares, flagging, etc.

Roll of Cotton Gauze- can be used for bandages, pressure dressing, dental packing (if you lose a tooth), tinder, female "issues", toilet paper, flagging, etc.

Duct Tape- you can buy partial/travel rolls that have about 50ft and can be flattened to the size of an IPod. Use it for cordage, bandages (in conjuction with gauze), arm slings, pressure dressing, temporary compression wrap for joint injuries), moleskin alternative, butterfly sutures, etc...

Zinc Oxide- The all purpose Sunblock, antiseptic, antifungal, anti rash/itch cream. This stuff helps with most first aid treatments

Swiss Army Knife- get one that at least includes; knife blade, tweezers, saw, can opener and awl. Everything else is gravy. IMO carry it on your person.

LED Light- Small torch or photon with a steady ON/OFF SWITCH…. None of that “pinch and hold” crap.

Ferro Rod- yeah, you guessed it. IMO carry it on your person.

Roll of Jute- I choose this over paracord, now. I find it much more useful in a variety of situations.

Garbage Bag- Large. Many uses. Get creative.

Medication- Unless you have a medical condition (allergies, diabetes, arthritis, etc…) or are highly susceptible to certain ailments (migraines, diarrhea, etc…) antihistamines are all you really need. Most of us can get past aches and pains.

Nalgene Bottle You won’t get the above stuff into an Altoids tin, but it’ll fit into a Nalgene with a little effort. Throw in a few ziplocks to hold the items when using the bottle for water.


Rick