The one time I really needed the contents of my EDC, it was a good thing it wasn't sealed (I gave that up because I was always getting into it), I was scared (bear) and my hands were shaking so bad that I just flipped it open, grabbed the lighter, and dropped everything else on the ground. Left it all there, too.

Allow for the worst conditions and shaking or frozen hands. There's no point in carrying the gear if you can't get to it when you need it. I just shake my head when I read about some people who wrap fifteen feet of duct tape around their kit.

Sue