Keychain
I know where things are in my garage storage area. There are also emergency lights and flashlights in various places. Even at night, there is some light from moon and/or stars, or from the streetlight that is not too far away. That’s a good thing, because there are sharp instruments and tools and very sturdy iron pieces sticking out from equipment, and I really do not want to run into any of them.
I was totally surprised one night when the garage door light went out before it’s normal turn-off time and suddenly… I was in total darkness. The power had gone out. It was very cloudy, so no moon or stars, and for some reason the emergency light did not come on automatically. So… total darkness. Now, most of the time I don’t really need light in a dark place. But this time, it was totally unexpected and I did not have time to orient myself to where I was in relation to the things I do not want to run into.
I would have been in a precarious position. Except, I got out my keychain and pressed the button of the LED light I have on it. As suddenly as the surprise, I was back in control. Good thing, because I was turned about 15 degrees differently than I had supposed, and would have almost certainly impaled a part of my body on something metallic on my way to the exit door.
Such a simple thing. A small but bright and reliable light on my keychain. Probably saved me some torn skin. If it had been a true emergency situation, it would have probably saved much more than that.
So… a light. What else do I carry on my basic, no-frills, 1-inch O-ring keychain? A pocket CPR mask
I have a handy little tool about 3 inches long that will slice a seat belt and break a car window. It would be within hand’s reach if my car went into the water, and would be so much faster to get someone else out of a car crash where fire was a danger. It’s called ResQMe
I have my keychain organized and memorized. I use the three non-key things on my O-ring to separate my keys… so that I know, for instance, that my primary car key is next to the easiest-to-find-thing, the CPR mask holder. Next to my car key is my house key, and then the light. My garage key is on the other side of the CPR mask holder, by itself, with the ResQMe next to it, so it feels different than the car/house keys side. My other keys are between the ResQMe and the light, in a specific order.
I carry my keys with the CPR mask holder sticking out of the pocket. I get instant positive contact with it when I reach for my keys (it also makes my pocket less bulky). Once I touch the CPR mask holder, I know instantly and exactly where all the other items on the keychain are in relation to it, even in total darkness… which is, I think, back where we started.
