I am a member of my county's SAR unit. Since we are on call 24/7 and often have to deploy directly to a field command post, we are required to keep all of our equipment (from a change of uniform to extra batteries) in bins in our vehicles. In my vehicle I also keep a waistpack, a daypack and a larger field pack. Each pack contains the same basic package: food packet, water, personal FAK, flashlight/replacement batteries, heatsheet, whistle, sunscreen, insect repellent, knife. When I arrive in the field I decide which pack to take and then add to the basic package any additional items from my equipment bin that I anticipate needing (headlamp, rain jacket, waterproof gloves, additional food, whatever). If we're looking for a lost child or a dementia patient in a suburban setting, nobody (at least after their first search) wants to hump around a full field pack loaded with enough gear to work unsupported in the wilderness for three days. I guess the key is to be clear on what you are preparing for. A one-size-fits-all bag might not be the way to go.

Good approach. I have had an EDC backpack for years; the essentials are there in separate pockets in the back, but the bag's main compartment is virtually empty, leaving room for anything additional I may need to bring (clothing, more water, whatever).

The joys of a cold climate- if you forget your pants, you realize real fast that (a) you aren't dreaming, and (b) it is colder than the weather report said.

If you have items that always live in your pack, haven't you already placed them in a container?

Or maybe I'm not entirely sure what you mean when you say "containerize". Do you mean putting certain items in certain location, possibly in a container for the purposes of organization, as redundant gear or specialized emergency equipment? I put my back up gear in a container, that I can move from pack to pack, and I just leave it loaded at all times. A single item to grab is faster and easier than double checking against a checklist.

I keep my major categories "containerized". My FAK is self contained, etc. That way, if I don't need firestarter over and above bic lighters, I can remove that group from my pack. I try and do this by Doug's categories, but end up having some sub-categories.

I think you are on the right track, Bee.

Although I was intially put off by the staw-man argument at the beginning of the article: He reviews two clearly labeled "First Aid Kits" and comes to the shocking conclusion that "These commercial kits are actually Emergency Medical Kits" No kidding.

But the rest to the article is spot-on. When I step off the pavement for a day hike, I carry "gear", not a "kit". "Kit" implies something special, only to be broken out in an emergency.

The unwritten rule for a "kit" approach is that no item can be designed for its intended purpose and certain historical improvisations take on a whole life of their own.

For instance, if you can talk a casual hiker into putting a few garbage bags in his pocket because he already has them under the kitchen sink and they cost nothing, they might save his life someday. But now people go out of their way to buy bright orange bags online at a premium plus shipping and handling because everyone knows you need garbage bags in your survival kit. If you're going through that much trouble, just by a decent nylon poncho and be done with it.

I think you make a good point. I tend to put together the E&E type kit for fun, or for times when that sort of situation is a distinct possibility. Hence the reason I don't think of commercial air travel, carry-on survival kits as a joke. If you survive the crash, you have the possibilty of being stranded about as far from assistance as possible. This is especially true of the puddle jumper I've occassionally had to take from Denver to Laramie. For this example, I'd carry something based on the PSP, probably with wire saw, safety matches, EMT shears, paracord, water bottle and extra first aid supplies. Once I get through security it all goes in my pockets in anticipation of not being able to take my bag with me when I'm getting out of the plane.

On the other hand, when I go hiking, I don't bother with a "kit", though I usually carry approximately the same gear everytime, my ham radio, a freezer bag of bandages and gauze pads, extra clothing for foul weather (or the time I wandered into a bog and needed to change socks and pants), a butane stove, water and snacks; sometimes my pistol or hatchet or a blanket. All this on top of what's normally in my pockets. It's not a survival kit, if I'm peckish I eat the snacks or make hot chocolate, if I get bored I'll see if anyone's listening on the radio. What it does is keep me comfortable both for what I plan on doing and in the event of unplanned difficulties.

I think the concepts of the two are distinct all thought the intent certainly overlaps.

I love kits and 'containerize' everything. This lets me quickly pack heavy when needed or light when called for without missing anything. If I'm going for a hike or a ride on my motorcycle, I include my gear repair kit and I know I'll be covered in case my backpack strap breaks or I blow a jacket zipper.

I can manage the contents of the kits seperately and sometimes I build a checklist for each one so I can make sure they're stocked. A little planning and there's only overlap where I want there to be overlap (like the extra bandages and duct tape I carry in my pocket kit for example).

My fully loaded BOB (a water resistant german military surplus rucksack) is then neatly organized in small pouches (I use everything from pencil cases to waterproof Pelican cases) that are labeled and/or color coded so that I can get at what I need quickly. Be it first aid, gear repair, food/water preperation, fire starting, food gathering, etc.

I also use these kits when I'm camping or hiking. I don't like 'saving' them for an emergency since a lot of the stuff that's packed expires (like meds, or water purification tablets). One kit contains a Moleskine and a Fisher Space Pen which I use to make notes...often when something is missing from a kit that I hadn't thought of or when something doesn't work and needs to be re-kitted/re-packed so I'll remember when I get home and can improve the kits over time.

I just pack the kits I need into one of the larger pouches in my hiking pack...it adds a bit of extra weight but it's worth it to be organized. If packing light I'll use a hikers fanny pack or a Scott e-Vest which can then contain everything I need without mess or fuss. The other nice thing is that if I can go from scratch to a fully packed BOB in just minutes regardless of which bag I use...though I typically store it packed and ready to go.

I won't be redundant with the list of items I keep in my day pack (BOB), but I also use a ten essentials plus system. If you have health issues, it's even more important.
Jeff