I was RN we did sea survival. Good to see you dont have to much kit. Did expeds with army and marines, and we took them to sea sometimes. Happy days. Lofty wisemans sas survival manual is still good today as it was in the past.
Thanks for sharing your EDC for the woods. I also take a multi-tool because you never know what you might have to fix, and it also has a backup ferro rod, small saw, whistle, etc. A satellite beacon is also a must have, as we rarely have cell phone service out here in the wilderness.
Thanks for the video. Very Interesting and useful. I have paper hand towels and wetwipes inside plastic bag in the right chest pocket of the smock. Left chest pocket i have medkit. Map in the left zip pocket. Right zip pocket some cordage bunch. Israeli bandage is in my trousers ankle pocket. Gloves, hats, scarf lower right and left pockets of the smock. Matches right or left sleeve pocket. Compass in its own pocket. One headlamp changes it place, depending if im using it or not. Always i have two headlamps with me, one in the smock and one in backbag. I love my british army mtp smock, only its very heavy and bulky. Better wear it on than pack inside backbag. Many of those items in my smock, i have also inside my backpack. For organization, i have Maxpedition fatty pocket organizer. That eats lots of useful stuff.
I like to have a couple of the thin corner shop type carrier bags on me. They can be folded up quite small and don't really weigh much and stuffed into a jacket pocket. I've used them to cover muddy boots and as temporary waterproof socks. Good if you need to pick up something nasty and don't want it covering your hands or gloves or even as an emergency toilet. A myriad of uses for very little weight and bulk.
I put a couple of fireplugs in a length of heat shrink tubing (used for AAA battery wraps), one at either end, fold it in half and tape together to make a loop for putting on a necklace/keyring.
The mark of a mans genius is how much he agrees with you lol. Excellent drills Tom. I also carry a bright orange Mylar bivvy bag because I do a lot of solo stuff in the Outer Hebrides where I live and I've added two flat 560ml water bottles that fit in the zip pockets. Great video mate. 🍻
@@prometheus_beard thanks, I thought long and hard on it then found two plastic flat flask style water bottles half clear half olive green from Amazon for a fiver. Gives me 1120ml of water and with my other pockets stuffed with gear and snacks (protein bars, nutty and trail mix) I can spend most of the day out without a day sack. Not sure how well they'll last, a month so far, but as a proof of concept they're excellent and I can always invest more money later.
Great video as always full of PRACTICAL and USEFUL knowledge and not fansy stuff. Simple stuff that works. Personally i have some of this kit always in my funny pack all the time you never know. Ok i will not go for fishing in the Thames or in a fountain but a whistle, a lighter, a cylum, some 550 cord, a multitool and a flashlight can help a lot. Some points 1. With the cap you also look cooler :) do not forget that ha ha ha 2. One of the best items is the shemagh. 3. The smock is a very good solution. I used it for many years in winter (due to weather conditions.) 4. For the trauma kit i prefer to have it somewhere easily accessable with both hands like a lower front pocket of the smock. It is a nice solution that you provide there thought. I just prefer to have all together. Now something important stuff for the viewers. In this channel you learn important stuff that can save your life. Thank you for your knowledge
Hi mate loving the videos good going through again in normal time . Gotta say blokes like you why I joined up (4para) utmost respect and knowing blokes who carved me hold you in such high regard both professionally and personally . All good and fantastic what your doing now and achieved to make it so!
Good stuff. One small idea for your compass is to get one of those simple glasses sleeves from an optician. Cut off one corner and pass the compass lanyard through it. That way you have a bit of extra protection for your compass when it’s not in use. However, do NOT be tempted if the optician offers you a slightly more gucci sleeve that has a spring steel closure at the opening. Don’t ask me how I know this…:(
I always put my AAA batt's in an old film roll container ( or a little ziplock bag ) with a little silica-gel pouch, making sure that they are all facing the same way.
I wrap spare batteries in common paper, and tape any excess down like a Christmas package. Keeps them from rattling together and insulates from shorting. Then they go in whatever container such things go in. Paper will be used for tinder afterwards
Just picked up my first smock after seeing the stuff from Mason Dixie Tactical and Ivar Bergman on similar first line loadouts. Good to see the similarities, and the scope for personal/location specific differences.
All Good Tom. Loved the interview. Yup map & compass me, I take cut sections of maps and laminate them. DS sir? Surely not. Ooh Racing Spoons! A depot special.
That smock is awesome, I have to have lots of big pockets, I wear a jungle jacket. You have given me lots of ideas with the pockets. Enjoyed this video.
No tea bag in your top pocket? Fail lol 😂, it’s always nice to see what other instructors are carrying , I carry a small guild book on food for free , mostly to give to students to use for identifying Wild edibles to promote talks on wild edibles, as always great video buddy.
Awesome Channel thank you for sharing so much with us “civies” 🤣 In conjunction to a similar pocket set up always carry a couple of decent large sandwich bags with water purification tabs in. Weigh nothing and take up no space. Just incase I loose a water bottle or for whatever reason get separated from my main kit. Thanks again.
Great video and some smart thinking/kit selection. Also it shows off what a great basic design the SAS type smock was/is. A great reminder, makes me think about getting another myself 🤦🏼♂️😆 noooooooo I’ve too many smocks3 as is 🤣
Good video mate. I said it ages ago, but I think worth mentioning again. I check the what3words app location for where I'll be, just in case I need to tell emergency services my location. Write it in a write in the rain pad. You could even note the 3 words for key points on a route. Kit, just pockets: I always have a mozzy net on me, silver emergency blanket, israeli bandage (Which I staged in a particular way I figured out, so it's not getting contaminated, but pulls open with one hand. I'll make a short video on that), tourniquet also staged, some plasters and antiseptic cream, superglue, lighter, UK legal knife, headtorch, spare laces, bog roll, boiled sweets for emergency energy, water filter and an auto pencil and write in the rain pad, and my phone. Depends what I'm doing of course. Change it up for the situation. Loads more goes in the bag or rezzy cases I bought off Leigh and use to carry stuff. PS - This video's audio is only in the left ear on headphones. DaVinci can do that sometimes, seemingly at random. Go into the audio tab at the bottom and put it in both L and R channels to fix it in future.
I gave up on non-locking tools a few years ago following a nasty cut and a couple of near misses. My preferred options are my SAK Ranger 55 and 79 both of which stay in my Smocks. Nice set up and I'd like to see how you set your Israeli and CAT up.
@@vonsprague7913 Cool, I'll show it soon as. My edc knife isn't my bushcraft knife, just UK legal carry. It's a boker xs drop point which can't shut on your hand as your finger blocks it from closing. Half lock.
I normally carry a notebook and pencil/pens too actually, l had left them in my uniform! Yeah l don’t know what happened ref the audio, l edited this on imovie.
As someone who has served in mountain rescue for a number of years I can’t recommend what3words. Goes wrong on rescues far more often than just a grid fig. Also can’t nav to a what3words without some form of tech. A 6 figure grid reference would be more reliable (and also appreciated by the rescue team) I know everybody raves about what3words and it’s had great press but I’ve got too many horror stories from it
@@calebbowkett5197 Thanks for the input, but I've not had any issues myself and you need tech to give them the 6 fig grid ref don't you. Having a map and compass and keeping track of your location is always a good idea obviously, but that app is good for all the people who can't read a map and there's a lot of them. But also as a backup my way, you could lose your map or have a medical issue that makes thinking difficult and just reading out the words is easier than grid reference. I don't recommend it from any press it's had, I installed it from the app store a few years ago and tried it out. Liked it so I kept it. What's these horror stories you have please? Miles out or completely wrong locations? I write it down in advance so not relying on tech any more than using a map and grid ref. Just need to ring someone either way. Not being argumentative or anything here, just saying my side 👍
Well you carry great gear,i usually carry duck tape the way you do but no longer I received a cut that was pretty good and I had a hard time on doing the tape from wrapped around the card I was down a quart next time I will leave on the roll it stays better
Splinters are always a problem with wood craft so I try to keep a needle ( and thread for repairs) I usually keep my silva inside the map case. The sharp edges can wear pockets and poke you and is brittle and eadily scratched. A leather compass wallet may help. Also good for protecting mirror and fresnel lens. Superdrug used to have store cards with a mirror surface, I grabbed a handful.
If you put your compass inside your map case you’ll be constantly taking it in and out, plus exposing your map to the elements. I’ve never had a problem keeping mine in an inside pocket.
I've got a smock set up with similar stuff but more amature level, such a versitile bit of kit. Love the load out there. Do you use the permethrin sprays on clothing alongside insect repellent?
As always great video Tom. Clocked the admin line in one of your very early videos and have made several since then…so simple yet so useful. Love the Garmin Instinct, a lot of utility and backup options in a nice watch. No tiny bottle of Tobasco in one of those big pockets? 😆 Thanks
I added a small black light to my EDC . Great for night map reading , lighting up your trail markers , writing hidden messages which glow in black light ..... ect . 😁😁😁
Hi Tom, hope you are well. I know it’s paramount to carry a ‘real’ compass with you, but what do you think of the digital type compass Apps, for mobile phones? Obviously making sure the phone is charged, are they a reliable source of navigation? All the best.👍🏾🇬🇧
Yeah they are good, but any device is prone to breaking, failure or batteries expiring. The problem is most people rely on technology and are in trouble without it.
@@PreparedPathfinder Yeah. Know what you mean. I always relie on the ability to map read, but the kids now, download apps for things like D of E and things like that. I think it’s wrong. All the best👍🏾🇬🇧
Great video good sir. Really liked the smock (I use a vest because I live in Florida). One comment: We call your attachment method "Dummy Cording", because that's how you'll feel if you lose an important piece of gear. One question: I didn't think "You People" were allowed to leave the sidewalk without a brew kit, Lol. Again, I enjoyed the video and look forward to more. RA
I would wear another watch on the opposite wrist, but most people think that's too much. Eh, it's very light, so I don't see how it could hurt. I'd probably have a twin or triple sensor Casio (G shock?) on the other wrist, just as backup. Either solar powered or one with 10 year battery. I've heard quite a few people say that *cayenne pepper* is good to pack a wound. I also read one guy saying his son was shot when hunting in the woods one time and they couldn't get to the hospital for 3 hours. The father poured cayenne pepper in the gunshot wound and when he got to the hospital hours later, the doctors didn't believe he was shot because the wound healed so well. 🤷♂️ Something to consider. 😉 Maybe some type of quick clot bandage?
Why does Varustekela say this Sarma TST L4 Recon Smock is NOT windproof? With RipStop 50/50 PolyCotton plus DWR Treatment, it sounds as wind-resistant as others in this class, if not more... (I'd prefer Unlined though... it has PolyMesh lining.)
Yeah l’m not sure tbh, l’d definitely class it as windproof. I was expecting it to be lighter, based on their description. The liner works well to be fair.
Well let’s just say I need to test my kit before I go up mountaineering with my dad and I’m also trying out my keela mk4 belay smock which after watching your review I’m quite excited to use it
Hey buddy 👊 First class video, appreciate you sharing your knowledge, thanks Tom 👌 I also carry a Victorinox Farmer, as a back up to my Laplander. Link below: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O0CoREntL6Y.htmlsi=G1EDl91xyKlhQPO6 Great for a day hike or a weekend away, as its good for camping, 'on the trail' or whittling wood 🪵 and UK 🇬🇧 Legal too! 😉 Keeping charging, ATB Gus 👍
@@PreparedPathfinder must be only in certain cities....an ancient usefull garment dating back to sumerian times, and now people get grief for wearing one as assumed they are pro palestine....im still wearing mine but its not political