Everyday preparedness

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goosegunner

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Dec 29, 2002
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Norway
I do not carry a defensive weapon, as I don't find it to be of any significant benefit to me. Low crime, illegal (mostly, it is possible to find "creative" solutions), no tradition of beeing armed for protection (last 150 years at least) and the fact that most situations is best solved by avoiding them have caused me to find a weapon to be more of a problem than a help. Other people in other situations will ofcourse come to other conclutions.

However, after thinking it through, self defence from human predators of any kind would be long down on my list of possibly lifethreathning situations for me or the ones close to me. Traffic accidents, machinery accidents, accute illness, falling in a staircase, and noumerous other situations will have a return priod far higher than violent crime.

My approach to this have been to carry, at all times, a limited first aid kit, and increasing my knowledge in basic first-aid. In addition my situational awareness of course have increased by thinking/planning/discussing such possibilities.


So what toughts have all of you given to this side of you and your loved ones everyday survivability?
 
I for one actually see more purpose in carrying a firearm than carrying a first aid kit. Here's why.

The most effective part of self defense, no matter whether you're defending yourself from potential attack or a drill press accident, is prevention. Prevention almost always works.

A firearm is a last-ditch preventative measure that can ensure your safety. Most times, they don't have to be fired for them to effectively prevent injury or death. They can be taken anywhere, and can protect you from one skinny guy with a switchblade, or five guys with baseball bats. The same gun will do both.

To contrast, a first aid kit of the size worn on a belt is not just as effective against injuries sustained in a freeway car crash as it is against a bee sting. Accidentally drill your finger? First aid kit might be all you need. Get shot, or stabbed, or hit with a blunt weapon, and a belt-sized first aid kit will be of no help at all, and cannot prevent such an incident from happening.

An attacker will not see you draw your first aid kit and back off. He may very well back off if he sees you draw a gun. A gun may prevent injury. A first aid kit will not; it can only dress an injury that's already occurred. An injury that occured most likely due to your own failure to prevent it.

Aside from all that, the types of injuries you've described are most likely to occur at your home, in your car, or your workplace, where there should already be first aid kits well-stocked enough to handle some of the nastier things you might do to yourself. They'll be too big to carry with you everywhere, but they should be where you're likely to need them.

I think its great that you're increasing your knowledge first-aid, I would suggest that everybody should know the basics. Yet knowing how to treat an injury cannot prevent it.
 
goosegunner, you're doing one thing I've seen recommended for preparedness, which is assess the specific dangers where you live.

It must be nice to live where people are more rational and law-abiding. I never got to Norway, but spent two years in Iceland. I liked it there.

Here, my family and I prepare for sudden and bad weather - blizzards in the cold seasons, severe thunderstorms with strong winds, tornados and large hail in Spring and Summer.

We have winter kits in the cars, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and a storm shelter at home. In many cases, a call with a cell phone will bring help for that situation. We also face a certain danger of violent crime and terrorism, like all Americans. So we keep firearms against that eventuality. Sometimes one prepares for the worst threat, not the most likely one.
 
goosegunner said: self defence from human predators of any kind would be long down on my list of possibly lifethreathning situations for me or the ones close to me.
Click to expand...

You are fortunate to live in such safety. May you and yours never taste of violence.
 
Well, it doesn't seem that Norway is apt to make the list of 'the world's most dangerous places' any time soon, as far as the US Dept. of State is concerned:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_990.html

CRIME INFORMATION: Norway has a relatively low crime rate. Most crimes involve the theft of personal property. Residential burglaries, auto theft, and vandalism to parked cars can also occur. Most high-end value vehicles, especially in Oslo, have visible alarm system indicators to discourage joy riders or thieves. Persons who appear affluent or disoriented may become targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially during the peak tourist season (May-September). Thieves frequently target tourists in airports, train stations and hotels, particularly lobby/reception and restaurant areas. Often such thieves work in pairs, and use distraction as a method to steal purses or briefcases. While passports are frequently stolen in the course of these thefts, money, credit cards and jewelry are the actual objects of interest. In some cases stolen passports are recovered. Violent crime, although rare, occurs and appears to be increasing. Some thieves or burglars may have weapons. The phone number for the police in Norway is 112.
================

...and Norway doesn't even warrant notice on comebackalive.com's list- http://comebackalive.com/site3.php?section_id=666&sub_section_id=Norway . That's a good sign too.

It is always wise to realistically analyze the threats we all face. The best i can offer is that I hope your ability to schedule your emergencies continues uninterrupted. I'm not that good at scheduling emergencies when there is adequate assistance handy, so i will continue to carry a variety of legal self defense implements on my person.

As to first aid, I spent six years as an emergency medical technician and still have a larger than average first aid kit (a Plano 727 tackle box). And I spent several years as a volunteer fireman as well, we are well equipped with smoke and CO detectors and fire extinguishers. There's appropriate emergency gear in the family vehicles. But most important is training, experience and keeping a cool head...

lpl/nc
 
First aid is a good thing to know. As a matter of fact, I'm looking into self-studying it and some "wilderness medicine" myself here shortly.

I carry a FAK in my car, and have some assorted "when you want it you want it right NOW" medicines in a pill fob on my keychain.

Even if you choose not to learn and carry even a "makeshift" weapon, I would add to at least always be aware of what is going on around you.

You got it exactly right when you said the best way out of a dangerous situation is to avoid it. Some dangerous situations "telegraph" more loudly than others, so just don't let your mind wander off while out in public.

Situational Awareness = a vital self-defense tool that they haven't tried to ban yet! :supergrin:
 
Goosegunner,

I'm afraid the rising threat in your region isn't street crime, it's that one day, heaven forbid, you might hear someone shout "allahu akbar!", followed by either gunfire or an explosion.

Your region is not immune to that threat in particular.
 
As (badly) written in my first post: Carrying any means of self defence is illegal here, hence the risk of arrest, prison, fines and the loss of any future legal possesion of firearms is very real if you decide to carry a gun for protection (against the law). Even the scissors in the first aid kit, and my swiss armyknife, will possibly be a problem if involved in something where the "wrong" policeman finds out. And I do know that it is better to fix those old, dangerous, electrical wires than getting a new fire extinguisher.

My decition have came after setting up a "list" of possible benefits, possible drawbacks and the possibility that the divice will be needed and the concequences if I don't have the device when I need it. A gun will score high on don't have it and need it, but it will also score high on consequences if ever discovered by ploice, and in a country where the police are not regularily armed you must have a pretty good lawyer to make an argument that YOU need it. As for knifes and other self defence divices, you might do less time but still no fun to be on the wrong side of law. A change of law making it legal to carry a usable self-defence divice (prefferably a (hand)gun) would of course change this decition, and I would be among the first in the line to get a permit. But that is not the situation :(

Mayby my english is not as good as I think it is, but my poit was; with limited options, and statistics on your side, a gun migth not be the no 1 choise.
 
I'm afraid the rising threat in your region isn't street crime, it's that one day, heaven forbid, you might hear someone shout "allahu akbar!", followed by either gunfire or an explosion.

Your region is not immune to that threat in particular.
Click to expand...

Well, who said we was immune to that?
And I don't think we will see suicide bombers screaming "alla akbar", our nanny state and all, people have it to good. They probably will use timed or remote controlled bombs in stead, history have showed them to be more popular in Europe anyway (ETA, IRA, Madrid bombings, etc...). And we did get proof today, on the morning news, that norwegians where back in Norway after al-quida training i Afghanistan. And we have a immigration policy sending us down the same road as France (see Malmö, Sweeden). But this will be quite Off Topic, I think.
 
Norway is close to Sweden

And with all those pretty Swedish bikini models everywhere, who's got time for violence.;) You might want a condom for your first aid kit. That's situational awareness...haha. All joking aside.


Being a law abiding citizen is important to me and I'm glad I live in America where my option to protect myself is indeed an option I can choose. I can understand the thought process behind disarming a society to make it safer. If there was zero crime, it would make perfect sense, but that is not the case. Rarely do these politicos who make these decisions, or celebrities that endorse them, have bodyguards w/o firearms in possession to protect said politico or celebrity when they are confronted by a criminal who does not abide by the written law.

Which is why I support CCW and our 2nd Amendment. It's an insurance policy more than a way of life. Like the fire extinguisher in my home. I do make a conscious effort to keep things in order and have never needed it in my home, but it's comforting to have and a worthwhile investment even if I never have to employ it.

jeepmor
 
His point is that examining the environment you're in and balancing the potential for hazard against it's severity and then factoring in what has to be done to address the hazard has lead him to make decisions about what's needed in certain settings.

He's fortunate enough to live where the threat of violence is very very small compared to most other places in the world. That moves the need for self defense far down the priority list.

I would say that a "simple" first aid kit isn't needed. Most injuries are usually minor and are not life threatening. If you're concerned about injuries then you should focus on those that are life threatening. This means that the kit needs to be focused, as does the training, on dealing with life threatening injuries for the several minutes it takes for emergency help to arrive. That means you have to stop traumatic bleeding and you have to minimize the effects of shock. A few bandaids, some antibiotic ointment and a little first aid training won't do it. If this is a serious hazard treat it as such, like we would tell folks that consider violence to be a serious threat. Carry serious tools and get serious training to deal with serious threats.
 
I think goosegunner is making some very rational decisions, and I hope that it works out well for him. I've spent a little time in Europe (Switzerland, mostly, plus some time in France, Austria and Germany), and in all of the places I've seen (except Paris, where my antennae were constantly twitching!), I never felt threatened. Switzerland, in particular, seems very safe.

I suspect he's better off than I am: I work in a place where I can't carry, in a southwestern city with a pretty good crime rate (warm weather, drug wars along the border to the south, etc.). Sure, I carry on weekends and evenings, but I'm always aware of my vulnerability during the workday.

goosegunner:
What about a flashlight and pen? Sturdy pens are an excellent tool for a low-risk environment, and you can take them almost anywhere. I've chosen the inexpensive, all-metal Pentel Client pen, but I'm sure that you can find something that you like in a place like Norway. I also carry an excellent little Inova T1 light, that has gone through many metal detector checkpoints without a second glance. It's big enough to use as a yawara, yet small enough to carry in a pocket. It's also bright for a single-battery LED light. It uses the CR123A batteries often used in cameras. I was very glad to have the pen and flashlight in the streets of Paris, especially in the neighborhood near the Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre (shown in the opening scene of "Ronin.")

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
As for the 1.aid kit and training, I plan on/hope to keep the unlucky fellow alive for 30 minutes, then qualified personel will be there in 90% of the situations and locations I find myself in on a regular day. That means the neccecary equipment is not verry much, I have a heavy sciccor, (to cut of clothes) latex gloves, a CPR face shield, two large dressings and a "oral airway" (curved breathing tube, that can keep open airways for a unconscious patient). Antibiotics, alcoholwhipes, painkillers, burndressings etc is not neccecary as all those can wait for the abulance. My "job" is to keep open airways and stop major bleedings.

My training is as (norwegian) amed forces medic, supplemented with annual basic (civillian) first aid-courses and a special course for preassure related injuries (diving accidents). It would ofcourse be nice to have a bacpack full of first responder stuff at all times, but then again I find the trouble of carrying IV equipment, an oxygen tank etc. to be more trouble than the possibility of needing it is worth.
 
"first aid" is not a box with a red cross on it you can buy at the camping store, "First aid" is basic medical knowledge and the ability to think on your feet.
You can have all the gear in the world and it won't mean shat if you can not think/act and do what is needed to be done.

I carry a quality pocket knife every day everywhere. With just that tool I can save a life or save a limb. A shirt can quickly become a pressure dressing with a few rips and that's all I need.
If I "need" to splint something I can use just about anything ridged to to it. Even if it is a cervical collar a couple of boots will work just fine.
I carry a CPR shield just because I don't feel like being puked on again but even without it I will still do CPR.

All I need is a knife, that's it. Anything else is nice but just a luxury. :D

you want everyday survival info? here is a list f stuff that annoys me about people:

Basic automotive knowledge and mechanics: the ability to change a tire, the ability to get a vehicle un stuck using what is "normally" in a vehicle, understanding basic automotive components and what makes what do what.

Keep at least 1/4 tank of fuel in all vehicles at all times. That is actualy my "go get gas" point no matter what.

Carry some cash: $40 in the glovebox or whatever. cash is king and even when the power is out people still take cash.

learn your area: some places in some towns you may not be the most welcome individual, know were you are. Most people are cool but there is always an arsehole, some areas have a higher ass population than others.
Also know your "escape" route in case of emergency. This may sound stupid but you should see how retarded the highways get when a natural disaster hits.

Get a cell phone. Not only is it a mobile form of communication but you can also be GPS tracked on most by dialing 911. (yes there are people who do not have a cell phone :D )
 
Preparedness, should be based on 40% on past situations, 40% on precieved current situations, and 20% on assumptions of future situations... the fine line, is keeping current, your choices, and balancing this equation correctly.
 
Consider switching to a nasopharyngeal airway as they are easier to use, an "H" bandage emergency trauma dressing and add a SATS (Self-Applied Tourniquet System) to the kit and you should be able to keep someone going long enough for EMS to arrive.

A good item that you can easily carry is the Combat Application Tourniquet. It's easy to apply yourself or to another and is effective in stopping traumatic bleading in a limb. You can make an expedient one from a bandana, a key ring and a sturdy pen or pocket knife.

We destroyed several different SATS in training and I'd use the CAT if available. I'm also a Quick Clot proponent, but I can't see needing it for your applications.

SLargeHBand202.gif
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http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/courses/cats/cats2a/index.html
http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/courses/cats/cats2a/20040910tourniqu_article.pdf
http://www.cinchtight.com/BS6.pdf
 
Focus on first aid

I can see the useful threat assessment being done by the poster here, and fully recognize his first aid abilities, but it seems to me that preparedness is being limited to that, because of the anti-self defense environment.

But it makes me think of the phrase - "when all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail". The likelihood of you needing to bandage up some injured bystander is about the same as me needing to draw my gun. Pretty remote.

So what about power outages, vehicle breakdowns, terrorist incidents leaving you stranded at a train station? I don't see much discussion of flashlights, shelter, food and water, all of which I factor into my preparedness supplies. What if some computer virus shuts down ATM's - do you have cash on hand to get where you need to go?
 
First Aid

It's been said that a sidearm is like an ambulance. It's not often that you need one, but when you do...you need it badly and you need it like right now.
I guess you can look at the pistol on your belt as your personal emergency rescue team that you don't have to dial 911 for. I do anyway...;)
 
help in time of trouble

For mental and spiritual preparedness, nothing can beat being the confidence of being at peace with "your maker." Somewhere I read that if you seek him -you will find him." His WORDS.

For those who do not believe any other greater than themselves or fellow man exists; they are on their own. Reliance on self confidence can run short.

In times when I grew fearful, I loved to quietly recite to myself great poetry like:

"Blessed be the LORD of my strength, which teacheth my hand to war, and my fingers to fight, my goodness and my fortress, my hightower and my deliverer, my shield, and He in whom I trust."

Sort of like a martial art "Ki Ai," but more calming. Sort of provides that "Fear Innoculation" JE223 is looking for.
 
Consider switching to a nasopharyngeal airway as they are easier to use
Click to expand...

Make sure you know the contraindications for npas. They're not always better.

Also, ideally you should have several different sizes of airway.
 
Better to carry weapons illegally than to be maimed or dead. Your life and health are more important than their control over you.
 
triage

Thought I would spin my view on potential 'mishaps'.
I haven't been a verbal participant in this site ,however my husband is
active here daily.
I have been a trauma nurse for over 25yrs, though now disabled.
In my car between the seats is a jacketed hunting knife, inthe glove compartment( while not on my person) is my friend "WALTER"', and
in my trunk is a duffle bag filled with medical supplies that will 'buy the time needed' in a grave emergency.
trauma is non selective. people, even GOOD people, have threshold.
Without any markers, without any indication, violence is always a
heartbeat away. We can, however, attempt control over self and
provide the tools needed in the event of 'WHAT IF'.

A credit card with pressure on an arterial bleed will do wonders.
Best to avoid that arterial bleed if possible.

I teach my grandchildren my life's philosophy constantly.

sher
antly.
 
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