Unprepared after all?

Iboschi

Iboschi

Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
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I had a dream last night that the SHTF kit was going to come in handy. However, I found myself separated from it, regardless of my actions. I could not get my "STUFF"!!! We all put time and energy into our kits, but will we have them readily available when/if we need them?

I know that if I cannot carry my kit with me at all times. Even most times. The times I can carry it (in the city), it just isn't convenient. So, I have one in my Car, in my GF's car, a tiny one to carry (that I don't really carry at all times in the city), and one in the house. I have all the bases covered but can't help but think if the SHTF one of these will be out of reach and I'll be far from home.

This process has made me reconsider the importance of a "kit". Pre-Industrial Revolution, man could make due with an axe, knife, or neither and thrive. The focus on "doodads" "tools" that need to be carried rather than made has become a dead end in my opinion.

I've decided to become much more skills oriented. I picked up some obsidian I will be knapping to try my hand at that. I might even have enough to pass some on (we'll see, I'm sure it'll be harder than I think). The likelihood I'll have exactly what I need, when an emergency arises is low (probably just a folding knife). Time to learn how to make what I need from what I have.

Most dreams I have aren't relevant or worthwhile, but this particular one was a catalyst for an epiphany, and I wanted to share. What do you all think?
 
Except on airplanes I always carry my Adventurer SAK and a compact Bic lighter. That is my one step up from the stone age emergency kit. Other than that I always enjoy improvising with found materials. In most cases I expect to find glass rather than obsidian in an emergency. I like to experiment with whatever rocks I find while hiking around. They might not get as sharp as flint or volcanic glass, but it beats using your teeth.
 
To be honest, I doubt that the vast majority of people would actually recognize a flint if they saw one, let alone comprehend its potential uses.

If you were able to take a poll of every household as to what mindset, strategies, gear and supplies they had available if they woke up to discover that there was no electricity, gas or water supplied by the utility companies, I think very few would have made any preparations.

Odd situations can arise in locations one would not expect to face challenges, I've read of a guy that got trapped in a lift in his workplace, and was undiscovered for 4 days!

A Swiss Champ or Supertool would have been far more useful than a flint.....
 
To see you only extracted the flint from my original post is disappointing. My point is to work with natural materials and focus on skills. Readily found items made into tools. The Obsidian is an illustration of that. Read the rest of the original post.
 
You learn a lot by simply experimenting with what you find handy and use to address common tasks. I had hoped to find a plastic knife that was adequate to cut cardboard boxes. I was surprised at how big a problem that was. Almost any broken igneous rock would have worked, but most plastic just isn't hard enough. There are rocks besides flint that will draw a spark, but can you combine them with a tinder that will really catch a light? You don't know until you try.
 
It's a valid concern and I think practiced skills, the right attitude and the ability to remain calm (and think) during a crisis are the most important components of anybody's "kit". With that said, I'm getting my gear re-inventoried and put together as I now have a new job in a new location.

Your EDC should be your basic "kit" that is always on you. When you travel away from home, this should be a habit-based kit that you never forget. Gadgets shouldn't be relied on, but they do give you some comfort, ease of improvising and more efficiency conducting tasks.

A truck kit is now more important to me that I'm traveling further to work. It will be relatively secure considering where I work. I'll be prepared for getting home comfortably if I'm anywhere within walking distance to my truck, so my concerns are getting to my truck, a small office kit (not too big of deal) and if I catch a ride with a co-worker out to lunch or to another meeting that's some distance from my office/truck. You can't plan for every scenario, but planning gets you thinking and you'll find out that with a good head and even minimal gear, you can get through most situations that don't involved bio/nuclear attacks, zombie revolts or alien invasions. :D

ROCK6
 
Being mentally prepared and acquring new skill sets now is certainly a good idea. I think what's more important is to have a plan of what you will do and where you will go, if anywhere. Not to belabor the Haiti situation, that but is a learning example of what will happen. Those people are obsessed with food water and medical treatment.

Away from home and your survival kit, what could you take from the street? Rope, wire, glass, plastic, containers? Will you go foraging (looting) for food?

I'm not sure Pre-Industrial Revolution man could thrive with just an axe or knife. Survive maybe. Most farms and homesteads had a good selection of tools, as did city dwellers.
 
I have kits everywhere. In both car, master bedroom, gun room and garage. It may be redundant but it makes me feel better.
 
Iboschi said:
This process has made me reconsider the importance of a "kit". Pre-Industrial Revolution, man could make due with an axe, knife, or neither and thrive. The focus on "doodads" "tools" that need to be carried rather than made has become a dead end in my opinion.

I've decided to become much more skills oriented. I picked up some obsidian I will be knapping to try my hand at that. I might even have enough to pass some on (we'll see, I'm sure it'll be harder than I think). The likelihood I'll have exactly what I need, when an emergency arises is low (probably just a folding knife). Time to learn how to make what I need from what I have.

Most dreams I have aren't relevant or worthwhile, but this particular one was a catalyst for an epiphany, and I wanted to share. What do you all think?
Click to expand...

I think it's a great idea.

Look around at your local area and see if there are any knappers out where you are. I'm sure there is, it's become pretty popular. It may even be worth your while to come to Flint Ridge in Ohio for the knap in. People come from all over, and you'll find lots of mentors.

Learning primitive skills is one of the best things you can do for yourself. After I took a couple of the courses from Dr. Errett Calahan in Virginia, I started seeing all kinds of things while hiking that I never looked at twice. Raw materials are all around you. Flint, chert, material for cordage. Animal bones make great awls. The bottoms of some beer bottles are thick enough to be flaked like obsidian if you have a large nail. Makes a razor sharp cutting tool. Make sure to wear eye protection!

With the growing popularity, I'd be very surprised if there wasn't some knappers in your neighborhood or at least close by.

Go for it!
 
My "uniform" is usually composed of Dickies jeans, Kirkland white T, steel toe boots (see avatar), and a Schott biker jacket. I keep a Nitecore Infinity clipped to my shoulder on my jacket, along with 550 cord lacing on the sides. I carry a knife I can reach in any physical position. That means multiple knives. My watch is a certified chronometer. I smoke, so I always have a couple lighters on me. This is my E&E kit.

I hate my dreams. They usually involve me being in a firefight or even worse... SRP.
(one of the reasons I drink)
 
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I've always believed that the goal of every outdoorsman is to be able to survive with nothing. Tools, IMO, are carried to make things faster, safer, and more comfortable.
 
Off topic, sorry

Anyone in Southern california/ Orange county watching the news? there is a tornado warning... Water spouts have been spotted over the ocean (water tornados).
 
The Government said:
Anyone in Southern california/ Orange county watching the news? there is a tornado warning... Water spouts have been spotted over the ocean (water tornados).
Click to expand...

I'm in Fresno... We had t'nado warnings yesterday.
 
Iboschi said:
To see you only extracted the flint from my original post is disappointing. My point is to work with natural materials and focus on skills. Readily found items made into tools. The Obsidian is an illustration of that. Read the rest of the original post.
Click to expand...

AeroNautiCal said:
To be honest, I doubt that the vast majority of people would actually recognize a flint if they saw one, let alone comprehend its potential uses.

Odd situations can arise in locations one would not expect to face challenges, I've read of a guy that got trapped in a lift in his workplace, and was undiscovered for 4 days!

A Swiss Champ or Supertool would have been far more useful than a flint.....
Click to expand...

Funnily enough I did read your original post, which is how I was able to respond to aspects you raised, such as flints, and being in the city.

The example I gave of the guy trapped in the lift took place in London (IIRC) and tools on the person would have worked to self free the trapped man, and like it or not, the majority of people would not recognize the abundance of natural resources. YMMV.

I have my belt kit and what's in my pockets and I choose to prepare without recourse to my better equipped daysack carried kit being available, as it may not be, however, should I need to avail myself of improvised, natural implements, I would, as I have always appreciated the potential of such , and enjoyed using them.

However, they are pretty rare in broken lifts in office blocks in a capital city!
 
The Government said:
Off topic, sorry

Anyone in Southern california/ Orange county watching the news? there is a tornado warning... Water spouts have been spotted over the ocean (water tornados).
Click to expand...

Wait till tomorrow: this is nothing (comparitively). It's been raining hard down here (San Diego), and the wind's been blowing, too. This storm, however, is one of the two "weak" ones we'll have this week.

Tomorrow night through Thursday is when the really heavy stuff will get here. The Jet Stream is right over San Diego, with 200 mph winds, and surface winds here could have gusts up to hurricane force. There will also be a cold front associated with tomorrows storm, which may mean hail, thunder and lightning, too.

They're expecting trees and power lines to be blown down, and expect wide-spread power outages across San Diego. This, apparently, will be the strongest storm since 1995 or so.

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES, MATES! SHE'S GONNA BLOW!
 
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