- Joined
- Jul 11, 2001
- Messages
- 1,137
Alright Guys(gals),
Here's what I'm up to. For many months now I've been toting around a basic gym bag that I've filled with misc crap. Everything that I think is neat cool, new, vaguely usefull, or necissiary for work, like a day planner goes in here. I tried to consider it a all around BOB sort of thing but there's no real thought put in to it. I had one fixed blade (SOG Northwest Ranger) and one folder (BM 42 Balisong)tiny altoids tin first aid kit, asp keylight and that was pretty much my idea of things I MIGHT need.
As you can no doubt tell and I believe I already admitted no real thought went in to this bag. I've decided that this is unacceptable, as long as I'm toting this smegger around I might as well put something usefull into it. This is where you all fit in. I would like some help and advice not just on kit design as I can read through this forum and come up with a pretty damn solid kit, but on an entire survival plan/package. There are skills that I need to re-learn and equipment that I will need to purchase and I will try to highlight what I think I need as I come to them. I will also outline my general lifestyle and travels so you will have an idea of where I might have problems and what I might need to pack for.
Ok, me... I live in Rio Rancho New Mexico, on the outskirts of town. Quite literally paved road at my front door and nothing but sand and sage out back. I drive 20 miles or so into Albuquerque each day for work. I have put some thought into auto emergency kits and have a first aid kit in the car and a small tool kit. I keep a FB in the car incase I need a spare for anything. The job that I do has me traveling across the state, usually either in a rental car or one of our marked units I do not trade out equipment from my car to what ever car I'm in every time, it's just too problematic.
The terrain that I cross varies from city (Albuquerque) to small town (Clovis) to flat out open desert, to moutainous forest land. 80% of it is desert. Scorching heat in the day butt ass cold at night. I'm thinking the important things I'll need would be fire,water,shade/shelter,navigation. So Fire I can figure out and I'll ask in a seperate thread as this one is already long enough, water: do you think it would be advisable to carry my own? it'll get heavy no? Shade/ shelter, I was thinking it'd be a bit of a challenge to pack anything truly substantial. Navigation? Well I used to be a fair hand with map and compass. I have long since lost my compass and don't honestly remember how to use the little thing. (btw the one I had is about the only one I want to replace it. I think it was a silva, it was completely round, no flat part with the ruler on it or anything and the bevel? was black and moveable. I liked it, simple effective and compact. I want to replace that one but someone needs to point me in the right direction ((Yeah I know I couldn't help that one))
So what I'm thinking is an all around package, I realise I probably need to invest some money here, I'm ok with that (to an extent of course) I'm wagering I'll need a few books. I'm thinking three. The one mentioned often in here about The Psychology of wilderness survival, perhaps one about general field craft and I'd like to find a general reference guide that I could pack with me with some of the standard fare in it like edible plants and what not. SO Two books to read and shelve, one to pack.
*as an aside I know someone is going to tell me I won't have this bag with me when I need it and I'll be forced to rely on what I have on my person, well I carry the following things daily: wallet, comb,spyderco ayoob folder, SAK delux tinker, CRKT KISS, Fisher bullet pen/black, Emerson Griffe, keys. I'm thinking I'm pretty well bladed, sure I could add a fixed blade but it's not really practical for me with office dress. So maybe best thing to add to pockets would be a fire maker?*
As you can see I really want help with a whole package. I'm sorry this was so lengthy but I'm interested in learning at the very least some solid fundamentals of personal preparedness that would see me through a rough spot or two. I am open to all suggestions Ideas comments and email if you want to go that route.
thanks for putting up with me this long.
Here's what I'm up to. For many months now I've been toting around a basic gym bag that I've filled with misc crap. Everything that I think is neat cool, new, vaguely usefull, or necissiary for work, like a day planner goes in here. I tried to consider it a all around BOB sort of thing but there's no real thought put in to it. I had one fixed blade (SOG Northwest Ranger) and one folder (BM 42 Balisong)tiny altoids tin first aid kit, asp keylight and that was pretty much my idea of things I MIGHT need.
As you can no doubt tell and I believe I already admitted no real thought went in to this bag. I've decided that this is unacceptable, as long as I'm toting this smegger around I might as well put something usefull into it. This is where you all fit in. I would like some help and advice not just on kit design as I can read through this forum and come up with a pretty damn solid kit, but on an entire survival plan/package. There are skills that I need to re-learn and equipment that I will need to purchase and I will try to highlight what I think I need as I come to them. I will also outline my general lifestyle and travels so you will have an idea of where I might have problems and what I might need to pack for.
Ok, me... I live in Rio Rancho New Mexico, on the outskirts of town. Quite literally paved road at my front door and nothing but sand and sage out back. I drive 20 miles or so into Albuquerque each day for work. I have put some thought into auto emergency kits and have a first aid kit in the car and a small tool kit. I keep a FB in the car incase I need a spare for anything. The job that I do has me traveling across the state, usually either in a rental car or one of our marked units I do not trade out equipment from my car to what ever car I'm in every time, it's just too problematic.
The terrain that I cross varies from city (Albuquerque) to small town (Clovis) to flat out open desert, to moutainous forest land. 80% of it is desert. Scorching heat in the day butt ass cold at night. I'm thinking the important things I'll need would be fire,water,shade/shelter,navigation. So Fire I can figure out and I'll ask in a seperate thread as this one is already long enough, water: do you think it would be advisable to carry my own? it'll get heavy no? Shade/ shelter, I was thinking it'd be a bit of a challenge to pack anything truly substantial. Navigation? Well I used to be a fair hand with map and compass. I have long since lost my compass and don't honestly remember how to use the little thing. (btw the one I had is about the only one I want to replace it. I think it was a silva, it was completely round, no flat part with the ruler on it or anything and the bevel? was black and moveable. I liked it, simple effective and compact. I want to replace that one but someone needs to point me in the right direction ((Yeah I know I couldn't help that one))
So what I'm thinking is an all around package, I realise I probably need to invest some money here, I'm ok with that (to an extent of course) I'm wagering I'll need a few books. I'm thinking three. The one mentioned often in here about The Psychology of wilderness survival, perhaps one about general field craft and I'd like to find a general reference guide that I could pack with me with some of the standard fare in it like edible plants and what not. SO Two books to read and shelve, one to pack.
*as an aside I know someone is going to tell me I won't have this bag with me when I need it and I'll be forced to rely on what I have on my person, well I carry the following things daily: wallet, comb,spyderco ayoob folder, SAK delux tinker, CRKT KISS, Fisher bullet pen/black, Emerson Griffe, keys. I'm thinking I'm pretty well bladed, sure I could add a fixed blade but it's not really practical for me with office dress. So maybe best thing to add to pockets would be a fire maker?*
As you can see I really want help with a whole package. I'm sorry this was so lengthy but I'm interested in learning at the very least some solid fundamentals of personal preparedness that would see me through a rough spot or two. I am open to all suggestions Ideas comments and email if you want to go that route.
thanks for putting up with me this long.
) and its attendant heat & lack of water, you have to balance the inconvenience of hauling a 5-gallon jerry can of water between house and several cars against the benefit you perceive it will offer for both you and the car radiator in time of need. Balance the time & effort to hump around a lightweight tarp, sleeping bag, stove & fuel, Sierra cup or small saucepan, and a bit of food (your choice) against the discomfort, injury, and possible death from not meeting the basic Food, Shelter, Health needs of a human body, fragile animal that we are. Most of the time for most people, they don't need the knowledge of survival or the extra gear. The city & its social structures provide them enough safety & resources to stay alive day to day. Your driving situation IMHO calls for having extra knowledge and a bit of gear to implement it when the chips are down.
