Boys and Girls, if you are going to go underground or into confined spaces, please, Please, PLEASE do more research on O2 sensors and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus SCBA. There are many nasty gases that will kill you dead or render you unconcious. I work for a construction company and they have to re-calibrate the O2 / gas sensors every 30 days, that's how important it is (sorry, I can't get my hands on any O2 / gas sensors - my thievery days are over . . . I think).
Many times, workers have come upon an open manhole and seen a fellow worker unconcious at the bottom . . . down they go into the confined space to save their buddy and WHAMO!! they are overcome. Third guy walks up , sees two of his buddies down the shaft and he goes down to save them. . . Methane, Carbon Monoxide, lack of Oxygen, etc . . . . . . . a candle, a canary, a mouse, I would only use these if I was breaking out of a prison and had nothing else to live for.
HAMMER

I carry my Pocket PC mobile phone (Sprint PCS PPC-6700) for the multi-versatile capability, but I'm having a damned hard time getting the thing to do everything my desktop can do (i.e.: play video. Not that I'd need it on an explore, but it'd be nice to do otherwise) and in general finding any information about other software for it. I'm not afraid to carry it with me literally everywhere only because 1)Murphy's Law dictates that the moment I'm not carrying it, I'll desperately need it, and 2) it's insured through Sprint PCS, meaning that a mere $35 gets me another one. As a backup, and because software is much easier to find for it (for me, at least), I bring along my Palm Tungsten E. Both have 1G memory cards for extra goodies. The PPC has a Bluetooth headset as well as a stereo earbud headset with microphone so that I can listen to MP3s and make/take calls.

Otherwise, I'm a sucker for multi-function tools, so a Swiss Army Knife (that has, ironically, had it's largest blade plunged into my abdomen once, all the way up to the "hilt"), a Leatherman-type tool, and a few nifty gadgets from Swiss-Tech are also on me at all times. I have a very old-school GPS that my father gave to me, so it doesn't see much use but I do bring it along, just in case. A police scanner, and no less than 6 FRS/GMRS radios are usually in my general vicinity, just in case. (Just in case I happen to pull an explore with up to 5 comrades, that is.)

Not necessarily gadgets, but items I'm damn proud to have with me now, are my new Oakley AP vest and AP pack. The vest is chock full of necessities for explores; the pack I'm slowly filling and arranging to fit my needs.

Any suggestions on the loadout for the vest and the pack would be greatly appreciated, however. I've got the basics covered, but a list of essentials and non-essentials might steer me towards things I may have neglected to recall.

~PW

WALKER OF UNSEEN PATH wrote
so a Swiss Army Knife (that has, ironically, had it's largest blade plunged into my abdomen once, all the way up to the "hilt"), the blade you mentioned is not , I repeat not a meat thermometer, please do not try this again. Use a rectal thermometer. . . but anyway, I always carry my spyderco knife, a wallet folder knife, and sometimes a neck knife as well as a flashlight . . and that's just for moving about town. Oh, I keep the spyderco in my pocket, It might get messy if I carry it in my abdomen.
HAMMER

Posted by HAMMERTIME the blade you mentioned is not , I repeat not a meat thermometer, please do not try this again. Use a rectal thermometer. . .

...

I was stabbed with that knife in mid-November, 1993, by a kid at my high school; spent thanksgiving in the hospital. After the kid was tried and convicted, and a year or so had passed, for some reason the knife got sent to me, complete in its evidence bag. Was kind of cool. I carry it around all the time now, I suppose as a good luck charm. Besides, it's already been bathed in my blood.

~PW

I could think of about a thousand jokes . . .
"Was the turkey any good in the hospital?"
"If you now stab someone else, would you be blood brothers?"
"Maybe the cops didn't want it since it was bio-waste"
"If you get caught with the knife, could you be charged with 'possession of an instrument of crime'?"
etc etc etc . . . but let me just drop all that and encourage you to keep carrying it . . . whatever doesn't kill you, makes you . . .wounded . . . er, I mean, stronger. Besides, luck is a good thing to have when exploreing and a multi-tool, swiss army knife or any knife might mean the difference between life and death. Glad to hear you're still with us.
HAMMER
okay, one last one liner (Sorry, I can't resist)
"Don't bring a stomach to a knife fight"

Posted by Pravus http://www.glo-toob.com/IR.htm The Glo-Toob lights are pretty cool.. and they 'claim' to be indestructible and waterproof to any depth they cost a lil bit, but I plan on getting a few eventually also come in Red, Amber, Blue, Green, White

they're very nice.
i have a blue one, and it is great.
i'd reccomend the FX, even though it costs a little more.

Ahhhhhhh..... The good old gear threads.. I finally got around to imaging allmost all my gear. Here it is..





Full screen photos can be found at:
http://www.bizarre...al.php?album=Gear/

==================
=== Gear List: ===
==================
1. Flash Lights: I have 7 Hand Held Lights. 3 Survival Lights(the 2 blue, and 1 white to the left)... I use these as a fire fighter, and live by them. They have enough light to let you see where your going, but not enough to attract attainion. They also are very small, and the battery lasts a long time. Good to use when people forget an extra flashlight, or when all your lights are to bright or dead. I have a regular light to use for an extra, and 2 bigger lights that shed alot of light around. Then i have my baby... The 32LED mini flash light. Uses 3 tripple-A batterys. Lights up anything thats in your 40-foot sight range. I LOVE it.

2. Liquids: The water can be used for anything you need liquid wise... The gateraid is useful for when you REALLY need a drink.

3. Lighters: For when you need that flame.

4. Bandaids & Neosporin: It sucks when you get cut out there. Bands aids and neosporin come in handy to keep you from having to go back to the car.

5. Moist Wipes: Good for cleaning yourself, cuts, ect..

6. Ace Bandage: Hopefully won't have to be used, but it's for bad injuries.

7. Camcorder/Camera Case: Case for the camcorder and camera. Holds all the extra stuff for these devices.

8. Large Battery Pack: For when you need power where there is none. I use it mostly to power that huge flood/spot light to the left of it(9). I also use the power inverter(10) with it to give me a normal style socket instead of the 12v car style socket.

9. Flood/Spot Light: I never use this when there is a risk of security being around, as this will light up an entire room. Runs off a 12v car socket, or the battery pack to the right(8). This light is super light. The battery pack i leave in my backpack and run a wire from the pack to the light, and i'm set.

10. 400w Power Inverter: For when i need to use my laptop(16) in the car, or anything else on the battery pack(8). This hooks up to the cars 12v socket, or can also hook directly up to the + and - prongs on a battery. Has a digital readout that displays the watts corrently in use, and the voltage on it.

11. Cell Phone: An LGVX8300. Has GPS, Mapping, phone system, notepad, ect. Everything a cell phone could be used for. I can also look up crap on the web, and hook it up to my laptop if need be and use it as a wireless broadband modem.

12. Camcorder: JVC Hard Drive Cam Corder. Good for being small and portable. Takes pretty good quality video. The night time modes need work though.

13. Cell Phone 2: A Fallback cell phone. My Backup on another phone number. I use it primarlly as a modem, since verizon forgot to unhook the service and is not charging me for it.

14. Gloves: Gloves with rubber grips on them to help hold onto things. Arn't good if your using them to protect you from getting stabbed, pricked, ect.

15. Batterys: Batterys for my flashlights. Never leave without backups.

16. Laptop: HP zv5000, I keep it in the car for when i need to go on the internet and do some research. very useful for when you want to look something up on google maps or on UER. I NEVER take it out of the car.

17. Laptop Bag: I keep my laptop(16) and all it's other accessorys in this bag. I then hide it under the seat of my car so it cannot be seen.

18. Secondary Bag: I use this bag primarily to hold the battery pack(8) and flood/spot light(9). It also has room to hold other things as well. Mostly food and drink.

19. Primary Bag: I use this to hold everything (except for the bags, flood/spot/battery combo, and laptop) that is listed in my gear list. Padded for support on heavy weighted items.

20. Leatherman Charge: My Multi Tool of choice.. Has the following tools: Titanium Handles, Needlenose Pliers, Regular Pliers, Wire Cutters, Hard-Wire Cutters, 154 CM Clip-Point Knife, Serrated Knife, Saw, Scissors, Wood/Metal File, Diamond-Coated File, Large Bit Driver, Small Bit Driver, Large Screwdriver, Ruler (8 inch/19 cm), Bottle/Can Opener, Wire Stripper, Fixed Lanyard Ring, Quick-Release Lanyard Ring, Removable Pocket Clip, Eight Double-Ended Bits. Needless to say, this should come in very handy.

21. Paper Pad: Good Old paper....

22. Box Cuter: Just incase i need another blade.

23. Pens: Always good to have pens on you.

24. Camera: Fujifilm POS camera. I hate this thing. I can't wait to get an SLR... Thinking maybe a Nikon D80.


=================================
=== Things not in the images: ===
=================================

1. Radio Scanner: I rarely use it. But incase i need a police scanner, i have one.

2. Car: 2006 Toyota v6 Rav4. My Car. Good at off roading, roomy, and very nice to ride in.

3. Coats: I mostly keep them in my car.


====================
=== To Get List: ===
====================

1. Pry Bar: Ok... This is NOT for breaking and entering. But it would be nice to have something incase you needed to get out in a hurry and a wood plank nailed to a door blocked your way out. Also would make a handy weapon for any of the hobo heros.

2. Resperator: I need one badly. I just havn't gotten the chance to get one.

3. Nikon D80: Starting at around 1000 bucks, i just cant afford one right now. It's a goal i'm working for though.. Maybe i'll ask everyone i know to chip in for chirstmas to get me one.

4. STRONG Rope: I need to find some strong strong rope.

5. Duct tape: Duct tape comes in handy anywhere.

6. 2 way radios with collor mic and ear peice: Great communication combo.

Posted by DeMiNe0 3. Nikon D80: Starting at around 1000 bucks. 4. STRONG Rope: I need to find some strong strong rope.

* Kubla's really tight with Satan. . . . maybe he could broker a trade of your soul for the Camera? I'd have him throw in a tripod and some free memory cards too, maybe even a free upgrade in a few years.

* Army surplus rope is strong and cheap. You can get it for $.25 a foot, new.