My "Urban survival kit." What's yours?

[PALADIN85020]

In view of the recent tragedies at Sandy Hook and at the Boston Marathon, not to mention the many incidents of thuggery that occur every day in our cities, I've adopted the practice of carrying lightweight but useful "just in case" tools when I'm out and about.

Here's what I've come up with:



First, because I'm lucky enough to live in a state that trusts its law-abiding citizens with discretely carried firearms, I carry a lightweight .38 special revolver, alternating between this 642 and a 442, for either night or day use. I want any potential attacker to be fully aware that I have a gun when it's drawn, and I want it to be visible.

The flashlight is a tiny Four Sevens Preon P1, powered by a single AAA battery. It has three levels of power from quite dim to very bright; its highest setting puts out an impressive and potentially blinding 70 lumens with a run time of 40 minutes. At the low setting, it's also useful for reading restaurant menus in dim light! I carry it routinely clipped in my shirt pocket; it weighs practically nothing.

Spare ammo is available in a speed strip carried in a Dillon ammo pouch. The six additional rounds give me a total of 11 shots if I need them.

A cell phone is a must if needed to call 911 or a tow truck from wherever you might be. Mine is strictly for making phone calls and keeping appointments.

An ace-in-the-hole that I often carry is a tiny backup .22 mini-revolver that could provide a nasty surprise to someone someday. Some gun is way better than no gun. It fits in a pants pocket and is totally unobtrusive.

Always carry a knife. Mine is a Benchmade Elishewitz button-lock model. Useful as another backup weapon, and for such things as cutting seat belts. I have used it for that to extricate a lady pinned in her car with a seatbelt that could not be released.

A pen should always be with you. If you need to write down a license plate or phone number, or an address, you have it.

I have carried a GI pocket knife since my Army days. It incorporates an awl, a screwdriver, a can opener, and it's just the thing for popping the cap on a bottle of Heineken.

If I'm in my car, I will have a GPS available to guide me in unfamiliar locales.

Not seen here, but also necessary - photo ID, concealed carry permit, the name and number of a self-defense lawyer, my U.S. Concealed Carry Association Shield insurance policy phone number, and some cash, including about 3 dollars worth of quarters for parking meters.

Am I paranoid? No. I have not a lot to worry about with this equipment on me; the only other necessary thing, in my opinion is alertness - never in anything less than condition yellow.

Your mileage may vary - You might have other items or special need devices. What do you think?

John

 

[mc5aw]

John ... That looks to be an ideal utilitarian set-up. Anything more would start to weigh everything down.

 

[BJoe]

That Cross pen can also serve as a great stabbing weapon. It will NOT break.

 

[perrazi]

nice set-up. if seatbelt cutting is needed, the half serrated blades work better than the straight blade. they work better on soft targets too.

 

[gunfish]

I agree completely with the survival kit theme. 10,000 years ago folks were responsible for their own security. They had to face what ever came with what ever they had with them.

I would suggest adding a way to make a fire to the EDC kit, I use a Bic lighter. One never knows when one may need a fire.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

No bug-out bag here - not planning to bug out. However, I drive to the mainland (from Cape Cod) a couple of times a week, and I always take an overnight/stranded kit with me. One of Dillon's bags, with socks, underwear and shirt, deodorant, half a roll of toilet paper, fork and spoon, two cans of sardines, two indivudual packs of trail mix, an ice scraper, tire gauge, decent folding knife w/seatbelt cutter, GI poncho, a couple of hats, extra flashlight (MagLite), 54 rounds of ammo (to add to what I'm already carrying), a hairbrush, a towel, spare spectacles, aspirin, Alleve, chapstick, band-aids, a lighter, and probably a few other things I've forgotten. No SAK - that's already in my pocket, along with a cell phone and the primary flashlight (Surefire 6P).

Of course, I always have a pump, cables, and some tools.

 

[Alpo]

Similar. 642 in a pocket holster. Spare ammo. In that pouch on my belt you can just see a Leatherman poking out of the front pocket, and a flashlight. I truly don't know how I managed before I started carrying a light with me. The 6" Crescent goes in there too, because sometimes the Leatherman's pliers aren't what's needed. The German army knife has a knife, saw, awl, bottle opener and a flat screwdriver. The Superknife. And, of course, fire.

 

[sigp220.45]

Pistol.

Cell phone.

Credit card.

 

[shouldazagged]

M640 .38 Special in pocket holster, right front pocket, loaded with +P 158gr. LSWCHP. Generally have one Speed Strip reload. Swiss Army knife, the one that used to be actually issued to the troops, for the tools, and a regular pocketknife (usually 3-blade stockman) for cutting, both in left front pocket with my rescue inhaler and keys. Mini-light on keyring, but if I'm out after dark I have a small flashlight as well. Cell phone. Aluminum cane, needed for walking but maybe useful in other ways. No lighter--don't smoke. But the BOB in my car has fire-making materials among other things.

 

[Bat Guano]

Good start. Haven't seen one of those stainless GI pocket knives in years. Had one about 45 years ago and broke the blade fairly early on. A Victorinox Explorer replaced it. Not sure how long I've had it but I think it's older than my grown kids. Sent it in once for a rebuild and might be doing it again.

The worn finish matches that of my 442 exactly.

 

[Texas Star]

If you carry anything but a handkerchief in your knife pocket, the knife will get a lot of scratches.

I carry a small flashlight in a pants pocket and one in a coat pocket. I'm surprised by how often I use the lights.

A very useful item is a Zeiss pocket monocular in a coat pocket. Leica makes one too, and it may be as good. Haven't seen it except in photos. I've tried some other brands that were cheaper, but they just weren't anywhere near the quality of the Zeiss product.

I always have a pen and note pad. And I carry a cell phone now, too.

 

[JcMack]

I've got similar stuff. I always carry a magnifier cause I really need one anymore. I've got to get a couple speedstrips. Whats the best one?

 

[jkc]

That Cross pen can also serve as a great stabbing weapon. It will NOT break.

Even better is a stouter pen, such as the Benchmade stainless steel version, which is not only a pretty good writing instrument, but doubles as a pain-compliance tool like a Kubotan, and is useful for poking at things you don't want to touch, such as things that may be toxic, venomous, hot, etc.

After recently rereading Lord of the Flies, I was reminded of the importance of being able to start a fire. Since quitting smoking, I no longer carry a lighter, so I've added a tiny EOTACH ferrocerium firestarter rod/striker, which is carried in my jeans watch pocket tethered by a few inches of light line, along with a Streamlight Nano flashlight.

 

[Marshwheeling]

By way of contrast, consider Jack Reacher: Some cash, and his toothbrush.

 

[shouldazagged]

I've got to get a couple speedstrips. Whats the best one?

Mine are Bianchis--I have two. Hold the rounds securely but release them cleanly into the chambers. Inexpensive but good gear.

 

[Mule Packer]

Very, very seldom am I in an urban setting, but this is the stuff that's usually with me anyway. Also carry a pen and my planner/calendar/notebook. My wife has insisted that I carry a cell phone now...so that's in the mix, too.

When I'm going "off-road," I usually switch caliber to .45 Colt and throw a lever-action rifle in the backseat of the truck.

 

[jkc]

I've got similar stuff. I always carry a magnifier cause I really need one anymore. I've got to get a couple speedstrips. Whats the best one?

As far as I'm aware, your choices are limited to Bianchi, or, TUFF Products, the latter offering a greater range of caliber and capacities--- I own both brands and both are of comparable quality and durability, as best as I can tell...

 

[rburg]

I know when I sign on here I'm associating with a bunch of old fools/fogies. But no one here has even mentioned an adequate supply of condoms. If we're old, then we should have a viagra or two, just in case!

OK, the guns that best suit the emergency kit are the ones starting with a 3, like a 360, 342, etc. To my way of thinking, the extra ammo you carry is more for confidence than proven necessity. If I regularly need more than the 5 in the little gun, I'm changing the way I do stuff. But it feels good to have an extra 6. I try not to have more than one drug dealer mad at me at the same time.

Not mentioned in the overnight kit are drugs. Most of us are on them. Blood pressure, cholestrol, etc. State laws are stupid and confusing. Worse, the police often don't have a good idea what the law is, or want to over enforce you not having the pills in the original container. Some advice from a lawyer/prosecutor friend, don't worry about anything but pain killers. It takes a pretty stupid and hard nosed cop to try to prosecute you for having zocor or lipitor in your pocket. Conversely, having oxycontin is a trip to the overnight lockup. A halfway measure that will get the cop laughed at in court is putting your needed pain medications in a small zip lock. Inside the ziplock should be a trimmed down copy of the prescription info from the pharmacy bag. As long as it has your name, the physician, the pharmacy, and the mediation, you should be OK.

A buddy has and carries nitroglycern. Yes, he has dynamite tablets. He's even given me an unused prescription bottle full of it. I don't carry that, my wife does. With total confidence she won't get busted for it. Even police should have common sense. When they don't, the next step is the prosecutors office. Keep in mind maybe the most abused drug in America is probably Viagra. But it takes a real jerk of a cop to bust you for it.

Back to money. You remember, the real cash money kind. A few bucks won't cut it either. At least a $100 bill, maybe a few, and some $20s at least. There are places where flashing the $100 will get you mugged or killed. But a $20 is a respectable denomination.

As for minor food stocks. MREs are often big, heavy, and expensive. But inside all the things are individually packed. Some of them will keep you from being overly hungry. There really are some components that are OK. I recommend the white bread, along with the cheese and jelly. Forget the terrible peanut butter and buy a small JIF brand individual. Even some candy is pretty good. Select something you like. Put the full MRE in the car, like under the seat. Trunks are too hot. If you're not familiar with the specific MRE, buy 2 of them and taste test one. If you don't puke on it, use the 2nd as your car ration. Everyone carries water bottles. You should, too.

We haven't discussed oil. No gun forum discussion is complete without a lubricant talk. No reason to carry a quart of Hoppes. But if you look when you go to an old fashioned hardware, often you'll find tiny plastic tubes of single use lubricants. I personally prefer WD40 and would be more than happy to argue its benefits with you. Remember, this is a one day pack or kit. WD is for water displacing, like if you're stranded and it rains. Its probably the best gun first aid available. Yes, its terrible for lubrication or a weeks hike in the desert. But it'll keep your gun from rusting and should keep it working. Same for your pocket knife.

Lights are interesting. I had and used a Streamlight Keymate. Now I carry a mini. Its a mini copy of a maglight, only smaller and more useful.

The entire idea is to keep the "kit" so small and light you'll have it with you. Aluminum cased Blazer is lighter and just as useful. So are "light for caliber" bullets, like 110gr 38 caliber bullets. I don't have space or time for warning shots. Ammo is too scarce and expensive. The first warning is when I shoot you. Its OK and nothing personal. Its just that the days of "stop or I'll shoot" are over.

 

[truckemup97]

When I'm "in town", I try to have everything in the car that I will need if I have to walk home. That's usually satisfied by what's in my pockets (very similar to Palladin's), the emergency kit in the car, and sometimes a change of shoes or a different coat.

In the truck is a different story. I doubt I could walk from, say, Bellingham, WA all the way home. I have about two weeks of food (I eat out of the truck a lot, so it's usually fresh), several days of water, enough cash to buy fuel (or an airline ticket) to get home, etc.

 

[Dezfan]

Not including my wallet, phone or keys, here's what I carry daily.

First, the sidearm I choose as my EDC. My Ruger SR9c. 10 round mag along with the full size SR9 17 round mag for 27 total rounds. Easy to conceal, yet I still have sufficient firepower and round count at my disposal.

I would like to add a Ruger LC9 to my collection soon, even smaller and easier to conceal depending upon my attire and still fires 9mm so I don't have to try and stockpile another caliber.

I carry two flashlights. the first is a little Maglight powered by a single AAA. It isnt much, but I use alot it for inserting keys in the dark, looking for items in my wallet, items on the ground, etc... my primary light is a NEBO tactical self defense flashlight with laser. 4 settings, 8 LED's, a laser pointer, flash mode, and if you hold down the rear button for 4 seconds the LED's and laser pointer flash the S.O.S. sequence.

A CKRT Drifter is my daily use blade. I love the size and functionality. It keeps a good edge and I use it more often than I can count. I also carry a tiny Columbia micro folding knive in my wallet as an absolute last line of defense.

My cell phone is an absolute must have for multiple reasons, GPS, camera, weather, communications, ammo apps, etc...

I also carry a micro Leatherman multi tool on my key ring. Another item I use more often than I can remember. Great little tool.