Yet another Urban Survival

F

fujita yuji

Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
1,397
Hi, all.

Haven't been out since smoking camp.
I have a city survival preparation story this time.

The train I take every morning to reach my office goes more than 100 feet underground.
Moreover, that tunnel goes along the seaside line or even below canal,
which means it is exposed to massive underground water pressure and
it is several miles long running without any stations.
To be added, the terminal itself is located exact centre of Tokyo city, 60feet underground.
In short, the route I take every day is quite a dangerous one considering
the risk of earthquake or other natural disaster of Japan.:(

I've got this head lamp several weeks ago.
2009.06.29.R0018790.JPG

2009.06.29.R0018791.JPG


This morning, the train I was taking has stopped in the middle of the tunnel.
The altimeter of my watch indicated I'm located 120 feet below sea level :eek:
Fortunately it began to move quite soon, while I the train was stopping
I could feel a little relieved come think of this lamp sitting in my bag.

Thanks for reading and looking.
 
That would be a bit intimidating, to be under that much earth and water. What else do you carry in your kit?
 
Rockywolf said:
That would be a bit intimidating, to be under that much earth and water. What else do you carry in your kit?
Click to expand...

Absolutely intimidating. I love caving but not tunneling :(

I carry not much.
5mm sling with two calabinars and the fixedblade within the photo.
 
Rockywolf said:
What else do you carry in your kit?
Click to expand...

I'd be interested to know too. I carry a radio every day. I walked home for two hours during the 2003 Northeast Blackout in the US. Living in NYC and with Sept. 2001 not that far in the past, it made me realize the value of a simple AM/FM radio. Cell phones are useless in a wide scale emergency.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_Blackout_of_2003

That little Petzl is nice - they make great headlamps. :thumbup:
 
I have the same headlamp in my bag for exactly the same reason. The Zebralight is my go-to headlamp for camping, reading, and everything else, but that e+lite is cheap and handy to have on you when you need it.
 
Radio will be nice, too. I'll add it to my kit.
Thanks, akennedy73.

Hi, Snow.
Never heard of ZebraLight. They look so cool!
 
I remember you mentioning this once before I believe, or someone describing the same situation, in another thread. I know that I would find that train ride very intimidating. Being as you are at that point in a "mechanical" environment; metal, screws, wire, plastic, plexiglass, etc., a good quality multi-tool would be a good addition to your kit, and some extra batteries.
 
mistwalker said:
I remember you mentioning this once before I believe, or someone describing the same situation, in another thread. I know that I would find that train ride very intimidating. Being as you are at that point in a "mechanical" environment; metal, screws, wire, plastic, plexiglass, etc., a good quality multi-tool would be a good addition to your kit, and some extra batteries.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your great suggestion.
Good multi-tool should be better than simple fixed blade considering my situation.
And yes mistwalker you're right. I wrote about this situation before.
At that time, I had no preparation.
 
Yeah, I would have to say that your EDC really needs have a flashlight and headlamps are excellent for hands-free illumination. I carry a flashlight daily and I too have a Zebra headlamp in my bag.

Along with the multitool, I would add a cravat/bandana and maybe even a simple dust mask or two. Worst threats (other than being flooded out:eek:) would cause smoke or dust from a cave in. Something to cover your mouth and nose would help. I wear ballistic sunglasses with removable lenses; nice polarized ones for the day and a clear set of lenses if after dark. The best flashlight in the world won't help you if you lose your vision...protect your eyes!

I know you're a climber and I've found 30 feet of 1" tubular webbing doesn't take up much space in a small carry bag or backpack. This could be a handy item navigating out of unknown disaster areas.

ROCK6
 
Well said ROCK6, few things are worse than having fire inside of a tunnel.
Come to think of something to cover my nose and mouth, I always carry a towel within my bag.
Thanks for reminding me about it ! :thumbup:

As for being a climber, I haven't done remarkable climbing for two years.
I'll have to work hard to get in shape. :(
 
Definitely add a particulate mask. Maybe even consider a shemagh or large bandana. Debris, especially fine dust sized is a major concern in an urban disaster. It's great to survive the immediate threat but watch out for the things that can cause long term problems as well.

Flashlight in your situation is a must. I like headlamps too because of the obvious reasons. I would add a small first aid kit, mainly bandages since you would likely be climbing over debris, a good bit of it metal, to get out. Work gloves, multi tool.

All of that should keep it good and light as well as compact so you will actually carry it.

If one could get a map of the tunnels, perhaps make one up as you travel with the various service points marked if there are any could be handy as well.

Just thinking through some items I would like to have with me if in a disaster in that situation.

Charlie
 
Thanks Charlie for your great suggestions.
The map was actually the exact trigger for this preparation.
Looking at it and recognizing there are so few ways to escape, I immediately went
to an outdoor equipment store and purchased the headlamp.
As far as the map is concerned, it's deeply scribed into my memory.
I cannot forget it as it made me so depressed. :(
 
Can you even get out of the train car in an emergency? The doors or windows may have to be pried open.
 
fujita yuji said:
This morning, the train I was taking has stopped in the middle of the tunnel.
The altimeter of my watch indicated I'm located 120 feet below sea level .
Click to expand...
Watch altimeters are air-pression based: they are not accurate in situations like tunnels.

About the general situation, moving in subways in a earthquake prone area is probably not so great, yet knowing japanese engineering you probably get the best security you could get in such situation.

As for kit: you could add a pair of hard-use (leather) gloves, a bottle of water, some radio.
There's a guy who works in a coal mine on the forum, maybe he'd have some good ideas.
 
Fraser said:
Can you even get out of the train car in an emergency? The doors or windows may have to be pried open.
Click to expand...

A very good point. The doors on our underground trains are electrically operated. There is a manual release mechanism, but obviously this can also fail.

An additional tool to carry may be a mini prybar.
 
In addition to a multi, Id carry a good quality pair of side(wire) cutters. I carry a pair in my rescue bag, and use em alot. Multis are great, but I find the wire cutters on em to be good for only smaller gauge wire. Headlamp, flashlight, glowstick or 2, side cutters, mini prybar, and a loud rescue whistle, and a bandanna also come to mind...
 
glow sticks would have a huge psychological value to the other passengers in your section of the train, which in turn would help you to focus. a point source of light is personal, but a lantern feels more communal, if that makes any sense. I'd have trouble riding a train like that without a bunch of probably unnecessary gear. with a little knowledge, those biners and webbing could be invaluable.
 
I think most people in this thread have hit on the stuff I try to carry.

WATER
FOOD
multitool
flashlight with spare battery
bandanna
headlamp
whistle
mini prybar
filter mask
 
In addition to your train kit, have you considered keeping an emergency bag at your workplace?

It should contain water, and food for 3 days just in case you are at work when something bad happens. Simple filtration mask and a change of clothing, shoes, just in case you have to walk home. Small prybar may also come in handy for both escape and as a weapon.
 
Off topic, but what are the laws regarding knife carry in Japan? I was under the impression they were very strict and a fixed blade such as yours was a no-no.
 
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