Hi,

I've noticed that many of you have made and bought a lot of really cool gadgets, weapons, and armor. I was wondering how much you actually use these things on patrols. Are you often in situations where you need to use a gun/knife, need to wear a metal exoskeleton (other than just to look really freakin' cool), or take out your first aid kit? I guess I'm really just curious about what's been really useful in your different experiences, what are things that are nice to have just in case (better safe than sorry), and what are things that you now wish you hadn't even bothered to get.

~Rogue~

i have yet to patrol with my full gear but id always have a flashlight, first aid kit, multi-tool,and cell phone.

the way i figure out what im taking with me is to decide where exactly i will be patrolling and then figure (REALISTICALLY!) what the worst case scenario for that area maybe and then make sure i am ready for it.

i have yet to HAVE to use any of my gear but a saying you'll here around here alot is "better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it." or like a boy scout "always be prepared".

mostly my main concern has been 'can i call for help?" (cell phone) and "can i help whoever needs help until other help arrives?" (first aid kit, multi-tool). as for self defense....well i don't actually carry anything for that yet.

my next purchases are going to be for mobility (probably a long board) and defence (some kind of motorcycle armor)

For most patrols honestly I think I could get by without gear... maybe a leather jacket or something.



However, all that junk I wear isn't meant just to look tough, it's because I patrol wearing powerbocks (running stilts) and need to protect myself if I were to take a fall. So far I only do that when I'm training. (that is I've only fallen trying to do new things, like run faster or jump higher)

Later when I develop some loftier goals I'm sure I'll need some equipment to achieve those goals. It'll depend on what I'm trying to do.

this is what you need to carry on patrol. that is cleverness and skill, reflexs of lightning, two fist, steel toe boots on, these are the basics.you must think how you would survive with nothing.i been there.

I carry more than what I should, but like Champion said "Be Prepared"... and yes I was an Eagle Scout!!! HAHA.

All that aside, never go on patrol with the mindset that you will use any of your gear. It might be a good thing to have, but a trained crime fighter/superhero will use his/her whits first and try to resolve a confrontation without using anything in their utility belt. Think your yourself as your primary defense/offense and whatever you have on your utility belt as backup.

I know a lot of folks who have read my posts about concealed carry are saying.... "Templar says Whuuuuuaaatttt???" But honestly, I've never had the opportunity to say it

"T"

Interesting. So would it be safe to say that most of the time you don't really need a lot of the stuff you have? Like what Champion listed, flashlight, first aid kit, multi-tool, cell phone, and a good set of armor if you're in a bad part of town, would pretty much be adequate? I'm trying to figure out just how much gear is necessary to safely patrol. I don't have much money and likely never will so everything I get needs to be very well justified.

~Rogue~

well FYI i'm patrolling in a fairly nice area. i have yet to get my full gear so i have not gone in anything in what I would consider a bad area. if i were going into a bad area i would definitely want to add some self defense weaponry (pepper spray, cane/staff, or baton if it is legal for you) and also a bullet proof/stab proof vest.

oh and most importantly, in any kind of bad area, i would take the best thing i think anyone can take with them, other people.

but to parrot what alot of people have said on here in the past, the best tool you can have is your intelligence. be careful and try not to get mixed up in life threatening situations. brains over brawn. brawn only when completely necessary.

I carry all of my basics, and them some. I have a utilty belt, a drop leg pack, and a grab it pack. I carry a flashlight, extra batteries, some weapons that are not illegal, pepper spray, 550 para cord, cell phone, the micro grappnel (not load bearing, but great for retrieving things) 2 carabiners, small decender, attackOPS rappell belt with the leg wraps built into the rip stop pants, body armor (ballistic and stab proof) I have streamlined my utility belt and drop legs to carry what I need. I streamlined the ampules of BB's for distraction and now carry better caltrops, first aid kit, kwick clot, low profile back pack with food, water, etc inside.

I've also upgraded my armored jacket. While on patrol 3 weeks ago, apparently there is an older abandoned building that still had the "build to suit" sign in front of it. I did not know the property had been purchased, and had been a hub of drug and gang activity and squatters doing drugs. I observed two known "bangers" going inside, and followed them to the entrance and I waited outside for them. (some caltrops in the door way will make them wonder what's going on, they stick nicely in a shoe but do not penetrate fully. Lo, and behold a security guard came around the corner from D & R security, this barney fife (as I laugh about it now) whips out a taser (they're illegal in Michigan for civilians and non law enforcement to carry, i'll keep the taser a secret if he does my presence) he fires at me, the probs lodged into my vest, and the anti stab cluster of metal discs dissipated the shock, I have now had sewn into my jackets and armor, conductive material, as I felt the "tickle" of the 50,000 volts that dimbulb pumped into me asusming me the villian.

I pulled the probes out and left some minor tears in the material that were repaired and told him that I am the GOOD GUY and stand down ! :-) I explained, he was not as "on" after I did, however, he was looking at me like i'm a lunatic. I informed him we're on the same team, just different uniforms. I think i've made an ally and a friend now.

I am finding that passing out "SENTINEL" cards with the cell on it has a pretty positive effect.

What a WEEK i'm having!!

How the heck are you heroes??? Hope all of you are doing well!

Sentinel

really it comes down to what your going to be doing. if i were following gang bangers around i would probably bring everything i could too.

just think of the area your patrolling (get to know the area as a civilian first, do your research) and think of what situations you might find yourself in and then prepare for the worst.

Wow Sentinel, you sure know how to have fun! Thanks for the info and advice everyone


~Rogue~