Urban/City Survival kit recomendation

J

jlouis976

Joined
Feb 25, 2008
Messages
396
I travel internationally on a monthly basis, primarily in Latin America. I go everywhere from Bogota Colombia and Mexico City to San Jose Costa Rica. The majority of my time is spent in big cities, traveling around in cabs to industrial areas. I'm trying to put together a mini kit to keep with me at all times in case I need to run. The last two times I was down there haven't gone so well. I have witnessed a protest that ended with police in military fatigues blocking the entrance to my hotel (while I was stuck on the outside) and I have also witnessed an armored vehicle slamming through traffic while I was stuck in traffic on the other side of the road.

Here is what I have so far.

1) Photo copy of my passport
2) Water Purification Tablets
3) Small, basic first aid kit with basic meds (I am in good health)
4) Usually a waved Spyderco Delica (but sometimes I have to check my bag)
5) Recomendations???

What would you guys keep with you?
 
A Benchmade self defense pen
well hidden cash
emergency cell phone charger(windup or AA battery one)
small LED light
update shot/Vaccine
Flu shot
Mini LMF firesteel
 
The dust mask is a great idea, just be careful not to get ID'd as a rabble rouse ;D

You can buy quality lights that run off a single AA battery that are small enough to fit in your pocket easily, but bright enough to do whatever you want. I would be sure to include that.

Maybe the phone number for the local embassy?
 
That radio is pretty nifty. I had a larger kit for a while that I was shoving into my brief case. The problem is that because of its size, I found myself leaving it in the hotel. I'm trying to cut it down to the size of an altoids tin for my constant carry........but that radio would be awesome to leave with the rest of my gear.
 
if you wear 'business attire clothing" and want to keep your PSK small I suggest finding your holder "tin" and build a small kit that will fit within the holder and then go to a cell phone shop and see what cell phone case it fits and would not stick out of the normal business type dress code look. the unaware would think it was a PDA or something.
 
a bandanna, I carry one in my back pocket and I can think of a million uses. Especially if you sew some pockets in it.
 
If i may suggest a memory stick. Scan all your info on a pc and then down load it. Leave some things that you want people to know easy to down load. Thats in case something happen to you and you are found. You want people to know who you are. Some of the info you can incrip (sp) so only you can down load it. The other thing i would suggest is a two liter platypus hydration bag...With a few pills to clean the water...

Sasha
 
jlouis976 said:
I travel internationally on a monthly basis, primarily in Latin America. I go everywhere from Bogota Colombia and Mexico City to San Jose Costa Rica. The majority of my time is spent in big cities, traveling around in cabs to industrial areas. I'm trying to put together a mini kit to keep with me at all times in case I need to run. The last two times I was down there haven't gone so well. I have witnessed a protest that ended with police in military fatigues blocking the entrance to my hotel (while I was stuck on the outside) and I have also witnessed an armored vehicle slamming through traffic while I was stuck in traffic on the other side of the road.

Here is what I have so far.

1) Photo copy of my passport
2) Water Purification Tablets
3) Small, basic first aid kit with basic meds (I am in good health)
4) Usually a waved Spyderco Delica (but sometimes I have to check my bag)
5) Recomendations???

What would you guys keep with you?
Click to expand...

We travel all over Asia and the western pacific regularly, (mostly cities, but sometimes small islands,) and here is what we carry with us. We call it our "Hostage Kits."

Copies of passport and visas
Copies of all credit card numbers
Spare AMEX card
Vaccination records
Water purification tablets
Small compass
Photon Light
A few 'cayenne pepper' packets
Credit card sized piece of thin steel with sharp corners and a jagged edge
$200 in USD $10 bills.
20,000 Japanese Yen
1G micro thumb drive (pinkey drive?) with all our medical, family, Embassy, and emergency contact information, as well as information necessary for work,
Small amount of various powerful medications for dysentery, pain, infections

All this fits into a waterproof cigarette case, and we each carry our own at all times. Never had a problem at the airports, although they do give it a careful look.

Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
We travel all over Asia and the western pacific regularly, (mostly cities, but sometimes small islands,) and here is what we carry with us. We call it our "Hostage Kits."

Copies of passport and visas
Copies of all credit card numbers
Spare AMEX card
Vaccination records
Water purification tablets
Small compass
Photon Light
A few 'cayenne pepper' packets
Credit card sized piece of thin steel with sharp corners and a jagged edge
$200 in USD $10 bills.
20,000 Japanese Yen
1G micro thumb drive (pinkey drive?) with all our medical, family, Embassy, and emergency contact information, as well as information necessary for work,
Small amount of various powerful medications for dysentery, pain, infections

All this fits into a waterproof cigarette case, and we each carry our own at all times. Never had a problem at the airports, although they do give it a careful look.

Stitchawl
Click to expand...

Could you explain why these are in the kit?
 
My urban kit contains:

$20-$100 in cash depending on how much my wife has borrowed from it
A $20 prepaid Wal-Mart Card
$3.00 in quarters for vending machines
A Leatherman Micra
An LED flashlight
A bandana
A mini bic lighter
A Brunton clip on compass
3 feet of neon gaffers tape
Paper clips, safety pins and rubber bands
An AA Cell phone charger that doubles as a back up light
A finger nail sized thumb drive with back ups of ID, and important papers
A 70 cent rain poncho from Wal-Mart
6 mini zip ties
A Bullet Space Pen
A 100 minute prepaid phone card (do they still have pay phones?)
An alluminum pill fob with antihistamine and ibuprofen
3 band aids, antibiotic ointment, and lip balm
My Blackberry (Phone, Camera, GPS, MP3 player, Voice Recorder, Internet Access - thingy)

I carry it all packed tightly in a small-camera-sized Maxpedition belt pouch. I have an identical pouch which also includes a velcro knife sheath on the side. I sometimes transfer the items to this one and include a Leatherman Wave and a SAW Midnight Manager which also has a pen and LED. Obviously the knives and the lighter come out for air travel.

I developed this list after a rather trying urban survival situation in which I lost my wallet while traveling on a plane. When I got off I was stuck in a city where I knew no one, had no cash or plastic, couldn't get on my return flight without photo ID, couldn't pick up my rental car (which was prepaid!) because I couldn't produce a valid driver's license couldn't get a taxi without cash, and couldn't check into my hotel even if I made it there because I had no credit card on me. Yikes. :eek: Not much fun on that trip, but it's amazing how quickly your mind goes into competing-for-resources-mode when you're far from home and hungry.

In the wild I think a good knife and the ability to produce fire can get you through most situations. In most urban settings a cell phone and a credit card are the most useful items- that's why we all have them. :thumbup:
 
Cool!! I just spent a bunch of time in the Caribbean on business - Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Trinidad, St. Lucia and Jamaica. Unfortunately my trips were usually hopping from place to place with usually less than 2 d per country. The security check points are a real drag on a PSK.

My carry-on consists of a small backpack that serves as a laptop and also holds my SLR camera. I keep my PSK in this pouch but have to remove non-security friendly pointy things from it on the plane. In my PSK is first off drugs (Aspirin, Gravol - anti-nausea pills, imodium, allergy pills), chlorine water tablets, first aid kit, 3 garbage bags, ziplock bags, tin foil, mini-maglight, space blanket, piece of fatwood, tube of vaseline, small sewing kit, bug repellent. I also keep my hat (Tilley hemp series) on a carbine on the pack. Also in the pack in an easy access compartment is a firesteel and LMF striker - the security dudes always do a double pass of the bag through the scanner but never say anything about it, sunblock.

If I were to take luggage on the plane then I would definitely pack a good fixed blade (e.g. RC-4) that would go in my day pack after passing security and also smaller folder for pocket carry. What I did do in Trinidad, as I was there for 4 days, was go to the grocery store and found myself a cheap set of steak knives (2 for $2) and stowed them in my pack. Mostly the steak knives were used for things like enjoying mangos growing of the trees and such.

The thing I used the most was the water purification tablets. The hotels don't always give you bottled water, or they only give you one bottle at check in. So I usually pick up a bottle or two on the way to the hotel. Down a couple bottles to ensure I'm rehydrated then fill two bottles before going to bed with tap water and drop in the chlorine tabs.

Latin America is a cash driven society - so having some local currency stuffed in a hideway wallet is a definite asset. Keep your ID in the hideway. In Mexico city, never put your wallet in your back pocket. At the very least move it to your front pocket, but I like to keep a hide away wallet for all my valuables and just enough cash to get me buy in the regular use wallet.
 
- antidiarrhea tablets (immodium)/first aid kit items
-small LED lantern like Rock River or Brunton brand
- Platypus 1 Liter or similar water bottle or carrier
- water filter or tabs
- sunscreen
- slippers aside from your regular footwear. It's more comfortable when you're settling in for the night.
- local cell phone
- locally purchased mosquito netting if malaria or H-fever is a known problem
- not essential, but an MP3 player with video capacity to while away the hours traveling (Samsung P2, Ipod Touch. I recommend the P2)
 
Most of my traveling has been CONUS, but some of this would be fine for OCONUS travel (a couple inexpensive knives in checked luggage is a great idea; SAK, Spyderco or Benchmade – import versions, even a Mora Clipper; I must add that several of the items below must also be added to the checked luggage). Here’s a post I made a while back…in fact, I have to travel to NC for a couple weeks and it’ll be coming along:

UrbanKit-1.jpg


UrbanKit-2.jpg


UrbanKit-3.jpg


UrbanKit-4.jpg


UrbanKit-5.jpg


UrbanKit-6.jpg

I have a packing list somewhere(?)...but off the top of my head:

For tools, I've tried to find an assortment that can double duty for regular stuff that comes up.
- I love fencing pliers...wire cutters, a spike for prying and a hammer face for hammering
- Kniplex 8" adjustable pliers...some of the handiest I've used
- Unique little wire cutter...fence links is about the max, but very effective
- Mini prybar
- Sawz-Awl...folding, carbide saw blade. Works on wood, plastic or metal
- I'm trying out a pry-bar knife...not sure if it will stay in the kit...?
- Safety shears...they're light and handy
- Compact ratchet set
- Mini screwdriver and hexdriver (various bit sizes)
- SAK Huntsman
- Razor blade
- P38 can opener
- U-Dig-It trowel...thinking about a lighter Fiskars synthetic one...?

Of course, I have 100mph tape (actually Gorilla tape), electrical tape and climbing tape (same as medical); Krazy Glue, JB Weld, Vaseline/Lube, stainless and copper wire; 550 cord; small sewing kit; emergency rappel rope (6mm); mini pulley, mini belay device, couple meters of shock-cord, compact digital/AM/FM/SW radio, zip ties...

Small IFAK (I need a larger one), but I also have a couple of field dressings, SAM Splint and 4 dust masks (one is a little more durable than the others), the only meds are Motrin, Benadryl, Aspirin, Imodium and Tums; Burt's Bees chapstick, hand salve and some insect repellent. I also have a good pair of leather work gloves, cravats (2), 3 large trash bags, just added a Silponcho (excellent for emergency shelter) and a space blanket; fleece watch cap and an extra set of Oakely glasses (polarized, amber and clear lenses).

I do have a MIOX water purifier, but I want to add one my water filters. A 2 Liter water bladder and a 1 quart waterbottle (usually a Nalgene as I've been using my Guyot daily at work...so two I guess )...included is a nesting cup. 6V Gladius LED (upgraded) light; Fenix AA LED and a AAA headlamp (yeah, too many different battery types ), but I also have extra 3V Lithium, AA and AAA batteries. A couple of Cyalume (Chem) lights, compact Steiner binoculars; I always carry a spare watch...my G-Shock is it, good back up watch with time, countdown and alarms. Extra compass (my Suunto M9 wrist compass) and whistle.

Of course a couple of lighters, tinder, firesteel and matches. I also have a few Clif bars, instant soup, tea bags, coffee singles and a brick of Datrex rations-bars (I think they're 72 hours for a brick) that I forgot to add into the mix....can't forget the 1/2 role of TP

Kind of an off-the-cuff compilation, but I continue to upgrade, change or delete items as I assess the kit and where I'm located.

A few things I need to add that I just thought about...a couple of gallon Ziploc bags, inner-tubing for securing items (big rubber bands), larger FAK (I have the room) and possibly adding my Jetboil during the winter season.

Hope I was able to give out a few ideas as I have been able to get several from fellow posters here as well. Bottom line; assess your most likely threats and build you kit around that along with your own skill, experiences and/or training.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

ROCK6
 
Timely thread! I may be traveling overseas for work in the near future, so I was just re-thinking my own PSK. I keep this all in a small camera-style belt pouch that I pack in my carry-on (a day pack). If I am not bringing my day pack with me, the belt pouch is easy to carry on my person and looks innculous.

- Copies of Passport, Visa, Drivers Licence, Credit Cards, local contact numbers, etc.
- $200US cash (to be exchanged for local currency ASAP)
- Mini LED light
- Leatherman Micra (has to be checked while flying)
- Bic lighter (locally obtained ASAP if necessary)
- Vasaline lip balm
- Small compass
- Area map (locally obtained ASAP if necessary)
- Water treatement pills
- Bandana
- Assorted Bandaids
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Percogesic (my analgesic of choice)
- Immodium
- Emergency cell phone charger*
- Thumb drive with scans of documents, emergency information, etc.*

*New items added becuase of this thread. Thanks!
 
swilliamf said:
Could you explain why these are in the kit?
Click to expand...

swilliamf was referring to the pepper packets in our kit;
Pepper is a very handy substance. Besides adding flavor to one's food, it allows one to stop an attacker and run away when thrown discretely. Just be sure to remove it from the packet first. :D Airlines allow it as carry-on, and most people just ignore these little packets. For urban survival they are easy to carry, easy to deploy, and give you lots of time for what ever you need to do next. You wife can employ it just as easily as you, and the training time is minimal. Police don't give them a second glance.

Stitchawl
 
ROCK6 said:
Most of my traveling has been CONUS, but some of this would be fine for OCONUS travel (a couple inexpensive knives in checked luggage is a great idea; SAK, Spyderco or Benchmade – import versions, even a Mora Clipper; I must add that several of the items below must also be added to the checked luggage). Here’s a post I made a while back…in fact, I have to travel to NC for a couple weeks and it’ll be coming along:

UrbanKit-1.jpg


UrbanKit-2.jpg


UrbanKit-3.jpg


UrbanKit-4.jpg


UrbanKit-5.jpg


UrbanKit-6.jpg

I have a packing list somewhere(?)...but off the top of my head:



ROCK6
Click to expand...

ROCK, you might want to remove the front and back cover from your book to cut down on the weight......

Stitchawl (ducking and running with a big grin! :D )
 
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