- Joined
- Feb 28, 2007
- Messages
- 9,786
Well I'm back from my 10-d Caribbean tour and wanted to take a bit of time to reflect on what I used from my travel PSK during my trip and where I'd consider adding and removing things.
First, I didn't bring any knives mainly because all of my luggage was carry on. We were island hopping over the two weeks and it would have been a real pain to check in my bag each time. Plus, at least one person in our group lost their bag during the trip (had it returned after three days) and I didn't want that to be me.
What I ended up doing is going to the local grocery store and checked out the kitchen supply isle and was usually able to find a $2-3 steak knife that worked for most of what I actually used the knife for on the trip. This was things like peeling mangos, cutting open packaging, cutting the odd piece of cord and carving my initials in huge jungle mango tree (KGD loves potato chips surrounded by a heart shape) - kidding on the last one...
My travel PSK was contained in one of those blue Adventure first aid kits. I placed this in my carry on back pack. I went through a lot of security check points and not once did they open the med. kit up - apparently they are conditioned to seeing med kits. There weren't any spikey, knife like objects in the kit to draw attention.
After having debated it, I removed the firesteel from the kit prior to departure - I was more concerned with the striker causing alarm than the firesteel but it is something that would show up in the x-ray scanner and draw curiorsity. Like the steak knife, I made a habit of purchasing a bic lighter and was usually able to procure some matches from my hotel room. These went into my backpack. I conditioned myself to have a toss section of the back pack - i.e. one pocket that I kept my airport contraband (knife, lighter, matches) and made sure to get rid of those contents when I packed up for my next flight. I also kept anything that I thought might be suspect by airport security in this section. That way they can take a look at it without having to dismantle all my other kit contents.
My PSK kit - did contain the usual assortment of first aid items. I brought along a set of 6 insect repellant wipes - Deep woods off. The wipes come in a little foil packet much like a wet napkin. I also had a set of three empty little ziplock bags. My plan was to place the wipe back into the little zip lock after it was used and seal it so the same wipe cloth could be used more than once. The reason for the repellant wipes - they do not violate the liquid rule for the plane (Max of 3 oz). I haven't tested this but will probably do it later this week - to see if these wipes can be used as tinder (I'm a bit curious). Curiously, I didn't need any insect repellent even when in the jungle - very unexpected - but I'm not complaining.
Also in the kit - a piece of fatwood, some paracord (about 10'), my wilderness first aid manual, garbage bags, space blanket, 2 pair latex gloves, button compass, min-led light, a bundle of jute twine (was handy), electrical tape (very handy), $20 in USD, photocopy of my passport (also a copy in my wallet) and other usual items. Mole skin was handy for some of my walking trips.
I did include a small sewing kit which didn't set off any alarms at the airport. However, I kept the sewing kit in the contraband section of the bag - so they wouldn't want to go through the whole PSK. I kept a mini-mag LED in this pocket as well. I thought the alumnimum body might tweak airport security interest - it never did.
What turned out to be really handy and received lots of use. Imodium - man it is nice to have this stuff when you start to get diarrhea and have a plan to catch! Pepto-bismol - helps with the overdrinking, overeating part of exotic trips. Aspirin - for heart attack and hang over (I experienced the latter). I brought along other drugs that weren't used - antihistamines, an epi-pen (again kept in the contraband section with prescription slip), gravol. I took along a set of chlorine water tablets. This was good when I wasn't sure about the hotel water.
What I wish I had more of. I didn't bring enough suntan lotion - I had some of the little samples they send in the mail, but it didn't last as long as I needed. That 3 oz rule is a real PITA. I ended up having to buy a bottle of the stuff on each trip - and this stuff is more expensive than gold bullion at a resort! So next time I will look for a small 2 oz bottle of sunblock if I can find one. I wish I had brought along some medicated footpowder - the stuff for athletes foot. I didn't catch anything but in hindsight, using the pool and showers this could have been something I encountered.
Some thoughts about if I were to take my knife on a trip where I checked my bags in. First - I would bring my PSK as described above with me as a carry on. It can sometimes be very hard to find the pharmaceuaticals and personal care items at your final destination and not worth risking due to loss of baggage (much more common that you would think). In the Caribbean, knives were not commonly visible on people. I didn't see anyone carrying a knife. I did not know the legality of carrying one, but I certainly didn't see anyone wearing a belt and a sheath. I'm not sure it would be culturally acceptable to bring a belt knife here, unless specifically I was on a trail or camping. If I brought a knife, I think I would stow it in my back pack, or take a small EDC for carry in my pockets. I know this all sounds anti-knife - but this is just my observations of the locals and tourists along beaches and even in some parts of the jungle and short trails.
A hat is essential. My wide-brimmed, Light Felt brand cowboy hat was good for many things - shade, and water proof during the sudden afternoon rain showers. Another handy thing about it - it is distinctive. Could be good or not, but among my group members (we all met for the first time) I became instantly recognized by my trademark cowboy hat. Even if I got teased a little bit from time to time, having my hat with me was a good thing.
One of the things I'd like to do in the future and should have done in hindsight was keep a $20-$40 USD and photocopy of my passport on the inside of my belt or in my shoe in case of robbery. It is amazing how far you can get in a taxi on $20 in foreign lands.
Well thats about it that comes of the top of my head. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but despite a bit of searching in Kingston Jamaica, I could not uncover any machetes for sale....
First, I didn't bring any knives mainly because all of my luggage was carry on. We were island hopping over the two weeks and it would have been a real pain to check in my bag each time. Plus, at least one person in our group lost their bag during the trip (had it returned after three days) and I didn't want that to be me.
What I ended up doing is going to the local grocery store and checked out the kitchen supply isle and was usually able to find a $2-3 steak knife that worked for most of what I actually used the knife for on the trip. This was things like peeling mangos, cutting open packaging, cutting the odd piece of cord and carving my initials in huge jungle mango tree (KGD loves potato chips surrounded by a heart shape) - kidding on the last one...
My travel PSK was contained in one of those blue Adventure first aid kits. I placed this in my carry on back pack. I went through a lot of security check points and not once did they open the med. kit up - apparently they are conditioned to seeing med kits. There weren't any spikey, knife like objects in the kit to draw attention.
After having debated it, I removed the firesteel from the kit prior to departure - I was more concerned with the striker causing alarm than the firesteel but it is something that would show up in the x-ray scanner and draw curiorsity. Like the steak knife, I made a habit of purchasing a bic lighter and was usually able to procure some matches from my hotel room. These went into my backpack. I conditioned myself to have a toss section of the back pack - i.e. one pocket that I kept my airport contraband (knife, lighter, matches) and made sure to get rid of those contents when I packed up for my next flight. I also kept anything that I thought might be suspect by airport security in this section. That way they can take a look at it without having to dismantle all my other kit contents.
My PSK kit - did contain the usual assortment of first aid items. I brought along a set of 6 insect repellant wipes - Deep woods off. The wipes come in a little foil packet much like a wet napkin. I also had a set of three empty little ziplock bags. My plan was to place the wipe back into the little zip lock after it was used and seal it so the same wipe cloth could be used more than once. The reason for the repellant wipes - they do not violate the liquid rule for the plane (Max of 3 oz). I haven't tested this but will probably do it later this week - to see if these wipes can be used as tinder (I'm a bit curious). Curiously, I didn't need any insect repellent even when in the jungle - very unexpected - but I'm not complaining.
Also in the kit - a piece of fatwood, some paracord (about 10'), my wilderness first aid manual, garbage bags, space blanket, 2 pair latex gloves, button compass, min-led light, a bundle of jute twine (was handy), electrical tape (very handy), $20 in USD, photocopy of my passport (also a copy in my wallet) and other usual items. Mole skin was handy for some of my walking trips.
I did include a small sewing kit which didn't set off any alarms at the airport. However, I kept the sewing kit in the contraband section of the bag - so they wouldn't want to go through the whole PSK. I kept a mini-mag LED in this pocket as well. I thought the alumnimum body might tweak airport security interest - it never did.
What turned out to be really handy and received lots of use. Imodium - man it is nice to have this stuff when you start to get diarrhea and have a plan to catch! Pepto-bismol - helps with the overdrinking, overeating part of exotic trips. Aspirin - for heart attack and hang over (I experienced the latter). I brought along other drugs that weren't used - antihistamines, an epi-pen (again kept in the contraband section with prescription slip), gravol. I took along a set of chlorine water tablets. This was good when I wasn't sure about the hotel water.
What I wish I had more of. I didn't bring enough suntan lotion - I had some of the little samples they send in the mail, but it didn't last as long as I needed. That 3 oz rule is a real PITA. I ended up having to buy a bottle of the stuff on each trip - and this stuff is more expensive than gold bullion at a resort! So next time I will look for a small 2 oz bottle of sunblock if I can find one. I wish I had brought along some medicated footpowder - the stuff for athletes foot. I didn't catch anything but in hindsight, using the pool and showers this could have been something I encountered.
Some thoughts about if I were to take my knife on a trip where I checked my bags in. First - I would bring my PSK as described above with me as a carry on. It can sometimes be very hard to find the pharmaceuaticals and personal care items at your final destination and not worth risking due to loss of baggage (much more common that you would think). In the Caribbean, knives were not commonly visible on people. I didn't see anyone carrying a knife. I did not know the legality of carrying one, but I certainly didn't see anyone wearing a belt and a sheath. I'm not sure it would be culturally acceptable to bring a belt knife here, unless specifically I was on a trail or camping. If I brought a knife, I think I would stow it in my back pack, or take a small EDC for carry in my pockets. I know this all sounds anti-knife - but this is just my observations of the locals and tourists along beaches and even in some parts of the jungle and short trails.
A hat is essential. My wide-brimmed, Light Felt brand cowboy hat was good for many things - shade, and water proof during the sudden afternoon rain showers. Another handy thing about it - it is distinctive. Could be good or not, but among my group members (we all met for the first time) I became instantly recognized by my trademark cowboy hat. Even if I got teased a little bit from time to time, having my hat with me was a good thing.
One of the things I'd like to do in the future and should have done in hindsight was keep a $20-$40 USD and photocopy of my passport on the inside of my belt or in my shoe in case of robbery. It is amazing how far you can get in a taxi on $20 in foreign lands.
Well thats about it that comes of the top of my head. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but despite a bit of searching in Kingston Jamaica, I could not uncover any machetes for sale....
