”Wherever you go, there you are." And hopefully so are your
clothes. Therefore it is vital to think of your wardrobe as part of your survival
gear on a daily
basis. It’s not good enough to have a closet full of BDUs and a piles
of high-tech gear if they aren’t near you when you need them. Most of
the crises that people face do not rise to the level of TEOTWAWKI and these
emergencies don’t come at convenient times. Events like building fires,
car wrecks, or muggings come at you when your just out living your life. A
firearms instructor once told me, “if I knew I was going to get into
a gunfight if I went out, I wouldn’t bring more guns, I’d stay
home.” The point is this: you don’t know when bad things will happen,
and you can’t stay home all the time, so a well-planned wardrobe and
pocket gear are essential at all times!
It is amazing to me that many people interested in survivalism will assemble
BOBs, GOOD kits, and build retreats in the hinterlands, and yet give almost
no consideration to the clothes on their backs. I have a friend who routinely
runs errands in his pajamas and slippers with nothing but his car keys and
wallet with him. I’ve seen men at the shooting range in beachwear! What
will they do if life throws them a curve? They will suffer, that’s
what. But why suffer if, by following a few simple guidelines, you can dress
for
survival success?
Choosing your clothing
Most people have different clothes for different events, but the rules for
clothing selection are the same whether you’re at a formal wedding
or at a summer barbecue. First, select clothing of high quality and good
fit.
Second, always choose comfort and utility over fashion. Finally, think of
clothing in tactical terms. How would they aid or hinder you in a crisis?
You want to ask yourself, “would I wear this to the apocalypse?” If
the answer is no, start over. On 9/11 thousands of New Yorkers were forced
to walk miles, in dirt and filth, with only the clothes on their backs and
the contents of their pockets and satchels. Think of them while you plan
your wardrobe. When they went to work that morning they could never have
imagined
what they would face that day, and most were horribly prepared. Men and women
alike were forced to walk barefoot because their dress shoes were not suitable
for what amounted to a several mile forced march. Most had no food or water.
Their clothing, particularly in the case of women, was more a hindrance than
a help. Learn from their mistakes.
The single most important consideration is footwear. Always choose a sturdy
shoe in which you could comfortably walk several miles over unpredictable terrain.
An above ankle hiking-style boot with a waterproof liner would be preferred
in most cases. Be sure to wear good socks made for hiking and suitable for
the time of year. Carry and extra pair of liner socks in your satchel in case
you must walk a distance on a cold day. Do not wear cotton socks! They hold
moisture next to your skin which will diminish your comfort and can speed hypothermia
if the temperature is low. If you are at an event that requires dress shoes
or flip-flops or some other tactically undesirable footwear, be sure to bring
good shoes and socks with you. Keep them in the car so that you will have them
in case of emergency.
Your undergarments should comfortable and weather-appropriate. Again, this
typically means no cotton! Wear silk or synthetics intended for athletic
use. If you must wear a tie, wear a clip on so that it cannot be grabbed by
an assailant
and used to strangle you. For this same reason, avoid necklaces, earrings,
and other jewelry. If it is attached to your body in such a way that having
it yanked out would cause pain, then lose it!
Pants and shirts should be loose fitting for mobility, well made for durability,
and have lots of pockets for gear. A number of companies make casual “tactical
clothing” that is very suitable. Choose styles that mimic normal street
clothes so as not to attract undue attention to yourself. Avoid bright colors
and striking patterns. Earth tones and simple patterns may offer a degree
of camouflage without screaming out, “look at me, I’m survivalist!” You
don’t want to attract attention to yourself if you can help it. Wearing
military styled clothing sends a loud signal to others so unless you want
to be thought of as the local John Rambo, stick with civilian clothes. If
you
must wear camouflage and live in a rural area like I do, you can easily get
away with the civilian hunting patterns like RealTree or Mossy Oak.
Always have seasonally appropriate outer wear with you or close at hand. You
may not think it will get cold, but unless you can predict the weather infallibly,
it is better to be prepared for the worst. Where I live in northern Minnesota,
people die every year because they get caught outside at night without appropriate
clothing. Hypothermia is a real threat in all seasons, not just winter! Have
a hat, gloves, and jacket nearby at all times. Choose a hat with a brim to
block the sun. This can be a boon in both summer and winter. Also make sure
the jacket repels moisture. As always, avoid cotton in favor of wool or synthetics.
Choose clothing made for outdoor activities such as hiking or hunting.
Choosing your gear
Gear falls into three categories: wallets, widgets and weapons. Each category
should be covered whenever you leave your home. It is tempting to overdo
it when trying to decide what to take with you when you head out of the house,
but there is a limit to what one person can carry! You don’t need to
carry your BOB with you wherever you go, just enough useful stuff to get
you through in a pinch.
Your wallet should not be thought of as a single accessory to your wardrobe,
but rather as a series of places to put important pieces of paper and plastic.
You will want to keep these things in separate places, and you want to keep
them to a minimum. There is no need to haul around a year’s worth of
receipts, business cards, and shopping lists. Routinely clean out your pockets!
Most people’s wallets contain far too much information about their
owners. Neither criminals nor the government need this information.
Ditch
it.
As to the necessities, I keep it simple: money, driver’s license, CCW permit, a few discount cards for places I frequently shop. You may need to
carry a few more items depending on your lifestyle. Spread this stuff around,
don’t keep it in all in one place on your body. I use a money clip for
small amounts of cash and my discount cards. My driver’s license and
CCW permit are clipped together in another pocket. As a side note, while driving
it is advisable to have your driver’s license, registration, and proof
of insurance in your breast pocket for quick access in case of a police stop.
You don’t want to have to dig around for this stuff and possibly call
attention to your “car gun” while doing so! Larger amounts of cash
should be carried in a money belt or a hidden pocket. A money sash worn under
your shirt can also be a great place for cash and important papers. Do not
place your cash in anything that may be left “off body” like
a purse or satchel!
The only actual wallet I carry is a decoy containing some of those phony
credit cards that come in the mail along with a few bucks. This is what I
would give
to a mugger by tossing it to the ground in front of me. Most criminals are
opportunists and will take a dummy wallet and leave you alone. If they don’t,
you can always resort to what I refer to as “Plan G.” I think
we all know what that is.
In addition to your important papers, you’ll want to be sure to carry
a variety of useful and fun widgets. The following are indispensable: a multi-tool
such as a Leatherman, a folding lock-back knife, a flashlight, and a lighter,
and a bandanna. I also always carry a Swiss army knife on a chain with a
Swiss army pocket watch, a pad of paper and a “write anywhere” pen
like the Uniball Powertank, and a compass. It is amazing how many people think
I’m
nuts for carrying a compass everywhere I go, but after taking a short hike
off-trail in an area I thought I knew well and becoming hopelessly lost for
a couple hours, I think it is indispensable. Other things that I typically
carry are small foam hearing protectors, a 3’ measuring tape, a bore
light (you never know when you’re going to encounter someone selling
a gun!), an athletic band to hold my glasses up, and a tiny back-up flashlight
and a few feet of paracord. One final thing that most people must always
carry is a set of keys. I like to carry my keys in a key silencer that hooks
on to
a clip that attaches to my belt. It is really amazing how loud a set of keys
can be, and a key silencer of the sort used by police can quiet them right
down. I sometimes carry a spare house and car key in one of my pockets. Keep
the number of keys on your key ring to a minimum. Do you really need to carry
the key to your dad’s garage when you only use it once a year? Leave
it in your car!
There are many electronic devices that you may want to add to your supply
of personal widgets. The only one that I consider indispensable is a cell
phone.
If you carry a cell phone you may find it useful to use its security feature
to require a code before it can be used, but keep in mind that this means
it can’t be used by someone else if you are incapacitated! Other items that
may be carried include small digital cameras, GPS units, and PDAs. If you value
security and privacy, you will want to remember that some cell phones and GPS
units can be used to trace your location. Obviously individual criminals can’t
use these features to track you to your retreat, but government criminals
certainly could.
For longer trips away from home you may want to include a few other items.
On the top of the “extended trip” list is a small pocket first
aid kit. They are available in a small size that will tuck nicely into a cargo
pocket. Consider including a few custom items that you may need but are not
included in a basic kit. Keep in mind that pills or tablets tend to turn to
dust when carried, so replace them frequently. Extended trips also call for
spare batteries for flashlights and other electronic devices. It is very frustrating
to suffer from dead batteries while away from home and have no replacements.
Some flashlights use batteries that are not readily available at convenience
stores. If you carry this type of light, spare batteries are a must. And don’t
forget to get a spare bulb!
When selecting your widgets, always choose high quality gear. The last thing
you want is a broken tool right when you need it. Buy the best, buy once.
Well, in some cases you’ll want to buy twice or even three times since redundancy
guarantees that you’ll have a functional specimen when you need it. I
typically carry three knives, two flashlights, and two guns. “One is
none, and two is one,” is a good principle to keep in mind. Select your
gear carefully and don’t be distracted by the dizzying array of options
we now have when it comes to pocket tools, flashlights, and electronics. Think
though your personal needs carefully, and choose accordingly. For instance,
many flashlights come with an aluminum case and a crenulated (ridged) bezel
so that they can double as blunt striking weapons. Do you need this type of
flashlight? Are you trained in this style of hand-to-hand combat? If not, perhaps
a different style of light may suit you better. One thing the manufacturers
won’t tell you is that these hardened aluminum bezels will saw through
your pocket in a few days. If you select such a flashlight, put it in a nylon
belt carrier!
As to weapons to be carried for self-defense, much has been written by those
far more knowledgeable than I am. Read and study the experts and decide what
is best for you. I have decided that my self defense needs are met by a Smith & Wesson
stainless steel J-frame .357 magnum revolver carried strong side in a paddle
holster paired with a lightweight J-frame .38 special rated for +P cartridges
carried in my off-hand front pocket. That way I have a gun accessible to
each hand. If you choose pocket carry, you should use a good quality pocket
holster
and you must not carry any other item in the pocket with the gun! I carry
at least one, and sometimes two, speed loaders of good +P .38 ammo that can
be
used to reload either gun. If you carry speed loaders or spare magazines
in a pocket, do not put anything else in that pocket. You don’t want
to be digging around in a pocket full of junk when you need a quick reload.
As
a backup to my firearms I also always carry a Cold Steel folding knife in
my strong side pocket. When I go to the “big city” I change up
the .357 to a Glock .45 Model 30 with a couple of full-capacity 13 round
backup magazines.
You may find that other weapons in the “use of force continuum” are
more suitable to your needs. Defensive pepper sprays, Tasers, stun guns and
kubotans form an important part of many self-defense kits. You may even consider
a defensive cane or walking stick. Whatever your personal protection strategy
may be, keep in mind that anyone who chooses to carry firearms, knives or
other weapons for personal defense absolutely must know the legal implications
of
the use of deadly force, and they must observe all safety rules all the time.
Do not become lazy and take shortcuts!
Satchels, packs and pouches
So how are you going to carry all the gear I’ve suggested? I find that
I can carry all my gear in a good pair of cargo pants and one belt pouch that
holds my flashlight and multi-tool. Most quality cargo pants have at least
six big pockets and a smaller pocket for a cell phone or backup magazine for
your semi-auto firearm. If I’m going on a trip and need some more extra
gear, I throw on another belt pouch and that solves the problem.
It can take a little time to become accustomed to carrying all this stuff.
I carry several pounds of stuff with me all the time, but since I’m used
to it, I hardly notice the weight. You may want to build up to a full load
one or two items at a time. Once you’re used to the extra weight, you
won’t notice it either.
Why not use a satchel, pack purse of some kind? Simple: You will leave it
behind. No matter how conscientious you are, it will happen eventually. Not
only that,
but such off-body carrying devices provide tempting targets for thieves.
Why risk it? The only exception to this rule relates to food and drink. I
always
try to have a water bottle and an energy bar close at hand, either in a fanny
pack or backpack. I don’t carry food and drink on me at all times, but
I’ve never regretted having a little sustenance close by!
What about one of those snazzy “tactical vests” with about 100
pockets? These vests are admittedly very handy and cool looking. You can
really load them up with gear. The problem is that when you wear one, you
look like
a body guard or a photographer who lost his camera. I prefer to keep a low
profile, so even though I love my Sig-Tac tactical vest, I usually leave
it in the closet.
I also find that getting dressed in a ritual fashion helps me to keep everything
in order and keeps me from forgetting anything when I change pants. I empty
pockets in order, one at a time. I place my gear into clean pants in the
same order. Have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place.
Once
you develop a pattern, stick with it.
Maintaining a “survival wardrobe” is a lot of work, and it costs
a lot of money. But it only makes sense that if we spend endless time and
energy preparing for the big, epic crises we should also put some effort
into preparing
for the mundane emergencies that we are much more likely to face. Lots of
little things can go wrong in life. When problems strike, having the right
gear in
your pocket can make a huge difference. Not only that, but I find that all
my gear allows me to help those around me, and that brings a reward all its
own. So fill your pockets with good gear, and dress for survival success!