I spent a considerable amount of time reading the epic threads on what members carry on their person... drooling over the photos of shiny knives, flashlights, guns, and such. I admit it -- I am a gear nut too. Here are a few of my random thoughts:
1. Gear can be improvised; knowledge cannot.
Mr. John Wiseman (former SAS instructor, author of the SAS Survival Guide) describes survival skills as a pyramid: the lowest level is the will to survive, followed by knowledge, then training, and finally at the top is gear. Many of us carry sophisticated multitools, first aid kits, and other survival items. But just as having a few paperclips and a screwdriver does not mean you know how to pick a lock; having a bandana and an S30V blade does not translate to first aid skills.
2. EDC is situation-dependent.
This one is obvious to most. My Every-Every-Day-Carry includes a folding knife, watch, wallet, and keys. But if I am leaving the house I try to tuck a small first aid kit, GPS, lighter, lip balm and such in my bag or car. And if I am venturing into the wilderness my kit expands considerably to include a much larger first aid kit, portable shelter, fixed blade knife, water, etc... But it also includes one or two portable REFERENCES. The aforementioned SAS Survival Guide and a specific pocket reference on wilderness medicine, as well as maps or other guides about the area being explored. In urban settings, this can be a street atlas or rail map. These paper items aren't nearly as sexy as a Fenix L2P flashlight, Garmin Vista C GPS, or Sebenza knife, but they could actually be more important in the long run.
3. All EDC requires periodic attention.
First Aid kits are the obvious example -- medications and balms expire. But knives need oiling, delinting, and sharpening; flashlights need fresh batteries; and also the human brain needs periodic refreshes on the use of the items. I always carry my Yaesu VX-5R tri-band transceiver on remote trips, but if I did not pull it out at least once a month and go through its extensive features it would be far less useful to me. A more forum-centric example is my SwissTool Spirit. I use the pliers almost daily, but forgot that it has a really nice electricians stripper and bi-angle chisel built-in. Getting it out and opening all the blades once in a while is a handy reminder of its usefulness.
I guess the sum of all of the above is that carried gear is only as useful as your thorough working knowledge of it. It isn't enough to be a walking toolkit -- you need to know how to employ the tools.
Richard
1. Gear can be improvised; knowledge cannot.
Mr. John Wiseman (former SAS instructor, author of the SAS Survival Guide) describes survival skills as a pyramid: the lowest level is the will to survive, followed by knowledge, then training, and finally at the top is gear. Many of us carry sophisticated multitools, first aid kits, and other survival items. But just as having a few paperclips and a screwdriver does not mean you know how to pick a lock; having a bandana and an S30V blade does not translate to first aid skills.
2. EDC is situation-dependent.
This one is obvious to most. My Every-Every-Day-Carry includes a folding knife, watch, wallet, and keys. But if I am leaving the house I try to tuck a small first aid kit, GPS, lighter, lip balm and such in my bag or car. And if I am venturing into the wilderness my kit expands considerably to include a much larger first aid kit, portable shelter, fixed blade knife, water, etc... But it also includes one or two portable REFERENCES. The aforementioned SAS Survival Guide and a specific pocket reference on wilderness medicine, as well as maps or other guides about the area being explored. In urban settings, this can be a street atlas or rail map. These paper items aren't nearly as sexy as a Fenix L2P flashlight, Garmin Vista C GPS, or Sebenza knife, but they could actually be more important in the long run.
3. All EDC requires periodic attention.
First Aid kits are the obvious example -- medications and balms expire. But knives need oiling, delinting, and sharpening; flashlights need fresh batteries; and also the human brain needs periodic refreshes on the use of the items. I always carry my Yaesu VX-5R tri-band transceiver on remote trips, but if I did not pull it out at least once a month and go through its extensive features it would be far less useful to me. A more forum-centric example is my SwissTool Spirit. I use the pliers almost daily, but forgot that it has a really nice electricians stripper and bi-angle chisel built-in. Getting it out and opening all the blades once in a while is a handy reminder of its usefulness.
I guess the sum of all of the above is that carried gear is only as useful as your thorough working knowledge of it. It isn't enough to be a walking toolkit -- you need to know how to employ the tools.
Richard
