This question about Sealed vs Easy Access to your PSK has generated lots of different opinions from many Forum members and that is terrific!

OBG, my situation may be a little unique as I weekly find myself in wilderness locations both at work and in my off-time, just a factor of where I live.

I think for me personally I am leaning toward a layered approach of equipment carry, using both sealed and easy access methods.

- Every Day Carry on person (e.g. multi-tool, folding knife, mini-sharpener, cell phone, lighter, ferro rod, fresnel lens, survival instructions, space pen, notebook, whistle, compass, mini-LED light, chapstick, sunglasses, watch, bandaids). Plus a sealed supplemented DR/AMK PSK on days off or sealed Altoids PSK at work.

- Small Shoulder Bag allowing easy access to items for use in remote locations (e.g. para-cord, metal cup, water, food, Heatsheet Blanket and Bivy, folding saw, fixed blade knife, GPS, larger LED light/headlamp, flagging tape, firestarter, compass, 1st aid kit, duct tape, wire, paper shop towels, etc). Plus a second sealed small PSK within the shoulder bag.

My thought process is this:

I use my EDC items regularly throughout the day so they are readily available in my pockets or on my belt. My on-body small PSK is sealed because I proabally will not use it unless it is an emergency.

My Shoulder Bag Kit will allow me easy access to things I may use in the field regularly and also contain items too large or inapproprate for EDC. I plan that this bag would also have some free space left for items specific for that day (e.g. lunch, extra clothing, fishing/hunting/work gear). Being a believer in redundancy (belt and suspenders kind of guy), a second sealed small PSK would ensure that if for some reason I only ended up with the Bag Kit I would at least have the bare minimum of dry survival equipment and that it would not already have been depleted.

I guess my EDC plus this Shoulder Bag Kit would be what I would have with me if I walked away from my vehicle/camp (e.g. hunting, exploring, snowshoeing) or if I unexpectantly abandoned my vehicle (e.g. dropped snowmobile through ice, sunk boat).

The post that got me thinking about this layered approach was this one http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=110913&fpart=1 after I briefly got lost last fall and CANOEDOGS excellent post here http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=115815&fpart=1

I am still mulling this concept over so please feel free to add your ideas and opinions or direct this thread to similar posts from the past.

Thanks,

Mike