[at-l] A different kind of Gear List

[CrzyPlum@aol.com (CrzyPlum@aol.com)]

My Dad was a volunteer Firefighter for all of my impressionable years and we 
lived a mile from a road and other houses for half of my childhood. And I 
worked in the morgue after the Beverly Hills fire in KY (165 killed) The 
following are off the top of my head I'll add others as they come to mind.
I carry the mini Swiss Army Knife (inch-n-a-half or 2" half dozen gizmos) and 
a White Photon. Since I often carry no wallet I wear a military type dogtag 
with name, address, phone #, blood type. Now that I'm retired I usually am 
wearing a walking or hiking shoe. If it's sandal time or winter there are 
boots in my truck. Standard issue for the truck are at least one usually two 
or three flashlights of various sizes (currently two mini mags); a poncho 
and/or rain suit (el cheapo); a large swiss army knife (not particularly 
partial to Swiss Army but got most free during my working years); a mylar 
space blanket; one of those 4" dia 3" high survival kits in a can (humorous 
retirement gift since I was going to attempt a thru ... no I didn't carry it 
...much other though).
In the winter a space blanket (the $11-$15 silver/colored version) and an LL 
Bean gortex Wardens parka are added (parka is cause I don't usually wear a 
coat when out-n-about). If I'll be anywhere more than a few miles from 
civilization fluid of some stripe.
Other things: When I enter a building I look for and pay attention to exits & 
escape routes. I make comment of blocked exits. As much as possible without 
being ridiculous or paranoid and if it's a viable choice when in crowded 
public places I locate myself along an exit route. I use stairways over 
elevators (as much an exercise issue as anything). Again without being 
paranoid I avoid upper floors of tall buildings; by that I mean I don't fool 
around and waste time there; take care of business and leave (business could 
be all day). I attempt to stay in lower floors of large hotels; don't make an 
issue of it but do it where it is easy.
Please don't anyone read too much into this or think I'm suggesting Nowhere 
is safe; while in fact that's true it is not something to quiver and shake 
about. Just like hiking you make judgments regarding the risk then carry it 
or leave it but you're cognizant of the risk and have alternatives stashed in 
the back of your mind. Unless a discussion of this type comes up most of 
these things are not conscious thoughts just trained actions to increase your 
personal odds of not being a statistic.
Plum'Crazy

In a message dated 9/17/01 7:30:23 AM Central Daylight Time, kahley7@ptd.net 
writes:


> Has anyone thought about this?  What would be reasonable?
> 




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