For an extended power outage trapped in a small area (subway or elevator) a chemlite could be more useful then a flashlight. Twelve hours of diffuse light could be more useful then keeping a flashlight on and running down batteries. More of a comfort item then anything, but for people who get claustraphobic (and I suspect that until a persons been trapped in a dark elevator they don't know how claustraphobic they can get) that's important.

Otherwise I agree with other people about carrying a water container, even if you have to carry it empty and flat. Water might be availible, but you want to be able to take some with you. I think StuToffee's idea of a small Platypus bag is great.

In NYC I am carrying the same things you list with the following additions:

Disposable poncho (rain, emergency shelter)
Micropur tabs (4)
32 oz Nalgene bottle
Petzl e-lite
spare bats for the Photon and e-lite (spend a lot of time on subways)
Moleskin
Travel tube of Aleve

During the blackout, the moleskin was real popular for people waliking home in less than ideal hiking shoes.

After reading some of the posts here, I am going to try to fit in some gloves and the totes galoshes.

Thanks for the great suggestions. My biggest issue is space. Have you seen the Maxpedition M-1 waistpack? It's about 5.5" X 3.5"--really small. Maxpedition calls it a waistpack, but it's really a belt pouch. With all the stuff I listed it is already full. I really have to resist "gear creep"--my tendency to add just one more thing, and then one more thing after that, and then .... As I said, I already have a get-home bag in my office. This Maxpedition set-up is meant to be minimal and low profile. I don't want to upgrade to a bigger bag. Everyone is dead-on right, however, about the water issue. It is the biggest hole in my set-up. I usually carry a bottle in my briefcase/shoulder bag, but I'm often drinking from it as I move around during the day and at any moment it could be only half or one-third full. On the other hand, as a couple of you have pointed out, the advantage of a small bottle or container is that it can be refilled. BTW, I also carry a bandana in my pocket.

Consider replacing some of those $5 bills with multiple $1 bills & coins for use in vending machines.

Grant,

"Gear creep" is always a temptation. That being said I would suggest considering adding a few things that might help others. A pair of Nitrile gloves pack small (I keep a pair in my AMK .3 FAK) and provide protection for you to render first aid (or for someone else to render you aid). Though it's container might be slightly larger than you want, a bottle of Skin Shield is great. It smells like airplane glue but works great on small cuts and blisters, waterproof too.

Others have mentioned in other posts using breast milk bags as spare water containers. They'd be smaller than the roll up water bags, I believe. Of course there's always non-lubricated condoms to hold water (you can carry a filled one in your bandana). A couple of water purfication tablets in foil don't take up much room either. Condom's don't take up much storage space.

Signaling and fire are also concerns. Not only do you want to see where you're going you also want to be seen. There are some small chemlites (under 2" long) that can used as markers (so no one runs you over from behind) and a signal mirror might be useful (thin too).

I'm working a wallet sized kit to fit in a case for Razor-sized phone. I'll post that list and pics when it's complete (lol, are they ever?)

Andy

a $0.99 disposable poncho can come in very handy.
a small button compass
extra thick wool hiking socks, in case you have a unplanned walk
prepaid phone card

so to focus your plan, its a walk home kit

the areas you need might include

tools:
information:
first-aid:
communication:
shelter/ protection:

Hmmm.
Under info or comm --a map of the area, button compass, bus schedule, contact numbers, tiny earbud radio

tro

No, it's not really a walk home kit; I've got one of those in my office. It is a walk around kit. The tools, information, first-aid, communication, shelter/protection, and anything else will have to fit on my belt in a pouch that is roughly 5.5 inches by 3.5 inches.
Desert Fox, that Petzl e-lite looks good, but I'm at the point where if I want to add something new to the belt pouch then I have to take something out. Would it replace my Photon/Proton?

Other than the coins that several people have mentioned, I'd add a bandana (back pocket) and a couple of pieces of hard candy. The bandana serves multiple purposes, from triangular bandage to blowing your nose. While the hard candy won't replace water, sucking on one can make you feel less thirsty, and gives you a little sugar rush. I'd go with the sweet kind, not the spicy kind.

Carrying water is tough. You might want to think about adding an empty baby milk bag to carry water if you need to.

Otherwise it seems like a pretty well thought out kit.

Kevin B.

BIC Lighter