Survival in a Cave

[Mark J]

OK, it's not what you think. Today I took the family to a local cavern (read "tourist cave") to see stalactites and stalagmites. The kids were fascinated.

Anyway, before we left I made sure my trusty EDC was in my pocket, however I also strapped on a small powerful little flashlight. My family made fun of me, but hey, "always prepared" seemed to make sense particularly in a cave. I told them there was no way I was going into a cave without a flashlight, no matter how many lights were already there.

So we're in the cave, and there are some dark tunnels and crevices that you can't see into. Presto! Out comes the flashlight and behold, you now can see into them. The marvels of technology, huh? But the best part was yet to come. We're way down in the caves, and all the lights go out! Yup, no lights. Probably a power blip or something. Anyway, as soon as the lights went out, you could hear the panic in people's voices as they whispered furtively about what to do. So guess what, out comes the flashlight. Gee, didn't seem like such a stupid idea anymore.

The lights came on shortly, but perhaps most importantly, I taught the family something about relying on other systems to "save" you. I don't intend to raise a herd of sheeple here! Thanks for listening.

- Mark

 

[Fonly]

too true, I had that happen at work one day, the power went out during a thunderstorm which actually spouted out some tornado's. But at work I had a light that came in handy, and of course everyone always laughed at me with the "crap" I carried.

 

[David E]

I carry my Fenix everyday.

Keep in mind, that in the type of situation as you describe, many people will presume that YOU are the "guy in charge" simply because you have a light.

This can be a good or bad thing !

.

 

[dougo83]

I have worked with folks over the years that had the same mentality about preparation that I do. We have taken some flak for it. I have listed some of the instances where people have chided us only to stick their foot in their mouth later.

1. I got ribbed by a manager who said I would make a good housewife, I'm a guy, because I packed a small sewing kit in my desk. That was until he popped off a button or two about 20 minutes before a big presentation he had to give.

2. A buddy always carries the Mag-Lite on the belt, a penlight, a 5 or 6D in the truck, and keeps a crank light in his desk. All of the laughter subsided when a fire knocked out our power and we had to evac our building at night.

3. All of us get weird looks for carrying knives of any type, yet all of us have been asked to use them for something. From opening packages, to cutting paper, to removing splinters, our co-workers finally realized that maybe we knew what we were thinking.

It is funny to see the number of our workers now that have begun to pack like we always have.

 

[siguy]

i went caving with some pals over the winter, i made sure i had two or three flashlights on me (and was wishing i had a headlamp for hands-free operation), but everyone was prepared.

people have stopped laughing at me for carrying stuff when i patch up their cuts, cut stuff for them, fix stuff, or pull something really cool out of my pocket.

the only problem is that i'm the first guy that anyone turns to when something goes wrong. the main problem with this is that people get used to having me around...i hope nothing bad happens when i'm gone.

 

[Bushman5]

I carry a drop leg medic pouch, filled with First Aid Kit when i hike. People look at me and make pretty weird statements "playing tomb raider are we?" or "ohoh the secret police are coming, bet he has a gun in there!"

crap like that......

took some ribbing form some friends on one hike......Yet when it came time to hunker down due to extreme weather (sudden snowstorm) they shut the hell up as i took my "rambo" (as they put it) knife and made a large shelter, that was dry and warm, a latrine, a fire, a stack of firewood and torches for around the camp. They shut up when one of them slipped in the snow and split her nose open - i fixed that with the contents in my "tomb raider" drop leg pouch.

these are people that are so used to being told what to do and how to do it, and dont worry the gubmint or police or City officals will take care of you, that they can no longer think for themselves.

i'm not trying to toot my own horn here, but i carry basics everyday.....if more people carried JUST the basics (pocketknife, flashlight, hankerchief etc etc ) the world would be a better place....

 

[longbow50]

Great stories guys. Isn't it something when our methods come to light when everyone around us, are in the dark.

 

[Cyblade]

Yep I always get messes with about all the stuff I carry both on me and in my pack too, until someone breaks something and I can repair or patch it with my swisstool and some wire or duct tape, lights go dark and everyone wishes they had a flashlight or someone gets a cut and out comes your first aid kit. If I had a dollar for every time someone thats poked fun of my EDC and later was assisted by it later I could start collecting Busses and Chris Reeves.

 

[kgd]

It does piss me off though when A) you get ribbed because you are hauling all this stuff around all day while everyone else has nothing but flipflops and bathing suits, B) you end up having to use the stuff you hauled around all day to save somebodies skin and C) the next time person from B is walking around without the stuff that saved his ass the last time.

Its fine to be good semaritin and I certainly do my share of helping folks out. However, I really hate it when they just expect you to be the go to person all the time. I don't mock people for being unprepared because sometimes they just need to be trained or hadn't thought of something beforehand. I really don't like it though when people refuse to learn from an experience that they should have taken stock of and grew from.

 

[siguy]

KGD, a good point you have, and its my problem too. most people don't learn by example and come to expect the prepared to be there (just as with police, medics, etc).

When i am helping someone out with my kit, i usually mention that it is a good idea to have something like this that is light and easy to carry and covers alot of bases. people sometimes tell me that they don't know how to use alot of the things in the kit and i tell them that i didn't always know how-i took the time to learn and picked things up as i went along

still not too much response, but a few people have asked for recomendations on a few things before.

oh and to he OP, its a good point that you make that even in non-emergencies the extra gear makes things more enjoyable, your example is the dark corners that are cool to see into. it doesn't have to be an emergency for a person to be able to make it better/easier/more enjoyable.

 

[zman308]

"Assumption is the mother of all screw ups" Why assume that someone else has emergency gear. You were prepared and maybe some of the sheeple started to think and prepare instead of assume.

 

[mystical woodsman]

Oh God. LOL When I was 9 years old, my family went to Cave of the Winds in Colorado. Get this... in one particular part of the cave, we (about 20 people) were crammed in almost up against each other for a particular light display...









I farted.











Somehow, everybody thought it was my sister who was standing right next to me. Of course, I was oblivious to all that at the time, although I was giggling because it REALLY stunk (it was one of those silent puffy steamers :barf.

Uhhmm... I sincerely just wanted to share that with you all.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Cool stories, I'd like to go to the caverns in Virginia. Which Surefire to take?

BTW, any time I read about caving, I remember the movie Descent.

 

[mystical woodsman]

took some ribbing form some friends on one hike......Yet when it came time to hunker down due to extreme weather (sudden snowstorm) they shut the hell up as i took my "rambo" (as they put it) knife and made a large shelter, that was dry and warm, a latrine, a fire, a stack of firewood and torches for around the camp.

What kinda' knife didya' have? Also, did you listen to weather reports before the hike? If you had to make a large shelter (much less have the time to build a fortress by the sounds of it), you must have been WAY out (at LEAST 5 miles). I can't see how a snowstorm could catch you off guard though (an electrical storm or tornado... maybe). If I was further than 5 miles and a snowstorm landed on my head, I too would do the same, otherwise, if I was five miles or closer, I would just seriously huff it back to the grid.

I would NEVER make fun of someone by the way they choose to carry their gear (unless they strapped it on top of their forehead, then I would seriously have to think about it), but to each their own. I personally wouldn't want to carry it on my leg though. I would stash it in my pack and just put something on my leg that would conveniently see the most action, like a Rambo knife or maybe a small ninja-star purse.

 

[Bushman5]

KGD, a good point you have, and its my problem too. most people don't learn by example and come to expect the prepared to be there (just as with police, medics, etc).

When i am helping someone out with my kit, i usually mention that it is a good idea to have something like this that is light and easy to carry and covers alot of bases. people sometimes tell me that they don't know how to use alot of the things in the kit and i tell them that i didn't always know how-i took the time to learn and picked things up as i went along

still not too much response, but a few people have asked for recomendations on a few things before.

oh and to he OP, its a good point that you make that even in non-emergencies the extra gear makes things more enjoyable, your example is the dark corners that are cool to see into. it doesn't have to be an emergency for a person to be able to make it better/easier/more enjoyable.

its a BIG problem here in BC....people think they can head to the mountains 20 min north of the Vancouver and when they screw up just dial 911 and help will come. Then guys like me that go prepared for the worst get our packs inspected by the RCMP because some liberal sheeple yuppie scumbag got scared because there was a "man in the woods with army gear and a knife!"

i should stop now, or this will turn into a socio-political rant......

 

[Bushman5]

What kinda' knife didya' have? Also, did you listen to weather reports before the hike? If you had to make a small shelter, you must have been way out. I can't see how a snowstorm could catch you off guard though (an electrical storm or tornado... maybe).

I would NEVER make fun of someone by the way they choose to carry their gear (unless they strapped it on top of their forehead, then I would seriously have to think about it), but to each their own. I personally wouldn't want to carry it on my leg though. I would stash it in my pack and just put something on my leg that would conveniently see the most action, like a Rambo knife or maybe a small ninja-star purse.

its was'nt a big snow storm....but the people in the group were not prepared for it.

wadda mean "knife" ? one knife? HA! i had my Kabar khukuri on a shoulder rig, complete with a Becker BK7 on the belt, Jimmy Lile Hunter tucked into the waistband and a SAK single blade in the ruck. All covered with my waxed brit commando anorak

 

[TWBryan]

I always carry a flashlight and a Swisstool, I keep telling myself I'll arrange a better assortment of equipment,but...

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Bushman5 : Then guys like me that go prepared for the worst get our packs inspected by the RCMP because some liberal sheeple yuppie scumbag got scared because there was a "man in the woods with army gear and a knife!"

wadda mean "knife" ? one knife? HA! i had my Kabar khukuri on a shoulder rig, complete with a Becker BK7 on the belt, Jimmy Lile Hunter tucked into the waistband and a SAK single blade in the ruck. All covered with my waxed brit commando anorak

Hell, I think I would have called the RCMP!

Doc

 

[Bushman5]

laws in BC are base don intent...intent of use: I use the khukuri for chopping larger limbs for crafting shelters and for trial maintainence. The BK7 is a smaller general purpose fixed blade, used for food prep, tool building, ect. The Jimmy Lile L1 is a small incrdibly sharp bushcraft knife, and it excells in firestick making, notching, delicate small cutting tasks, as does the SAK.

nothing that the RCMP are concerned about. in any case, when one volunteers for SAR and other wilderness acticivities, and goes prepared...there is never an issue, only with the media brainwashed sheeple i-drones is ther an issue.

North america was built with knivfes guns and axes. The sheeple i-drones should have some goddman respect for the men and women that built this country, and some goddman respect for the people today that still hold those values.

 

[mystical woodsman]

Then guys like me that go prepared for the worst get our packs inspected by the RCMP because some liberal sheeple yuppie scumbag got scared because there was a "man in the woods with army gear and a knife!"

What the crap? They literally search your pack? I guess technically Canada does not have the 4th Amendment, but dang man, that is crazy. I can understand if you were on private property but that is just crazy. Could you please narrate a the typical conversation you have with the mounted police, like what they have said to you and stuff, from the introduction all the way up to you securing your gear and going on your way? This is interesting.

That would be funny if the second they gave you the green light, and told you to have a good day that everything checked out and they apologized for the inconvenience... that would be funny if you took off like a bat out of Hades and almost visibly hid behind a tree like you were invisible. They would totally take you in lol.