Ok, I took some of your guys advice.
I bought some 50 pound test Spider line and included some in all my kits. I also got rid of my old fishing line and replaced it with the spider. I also added a bottle of Polar Pure to my big kit. I increaded my amount of hooks but I don't have a big gaff hook, yet. I also added some cotten ball/vasiline tinder to all my kits. In my bigger ones its kept in film containers sealed with electrical tape. In my altoids can kit I put the stuff inside straws and heat sealed the ends. I also put a red photon II light with the white one I normally carry. I have about a foot of teflon tube im trying to fit in the altoids tin like Doug has. I think I said this before but I threw a Boy Scout Hot Spark in my altoids kit (I'll use the small SAK as the striker). I also threw a few Bic lighters (with child locks) in my bags. Do you guys know if they make the mini ones with child locks? I can't find them. I will add some duct tape after I find some sticker backing and which do you guys think is a better one-handed fire starter.......Spark-Lite or Blast match? Thanks <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

P.S. I couldent find any Paracord nearby, so I got some of this http://www.ems.com/products/product_deta...D=1046749033940 since it was easy to come by. Do you think its a good substitute for paracord, or should I keep looking?

Paul,

Some excellent additions IMHO.
The spider wire can be used for near anything its that strong, it will slice into your hand VERY quick tho.

Polar pure is a superior water treatment system for sure. The larger bottle is a bit bulky but thats liveable.
They do make mini bics with childproof tops at least here in Canada anyway. You can get sticker backing by buying a role of double sided tape and using it, seems a waste of dbl sided tape tho. Havn't found another solution for that yet.

This is my opinion only Paul and others will disagree I'm sure but I have owned used and broke the blast match. I returned it and got a strike force and like it much better. But it is not one handed operated. The blast match is just as good for sparks as the strike force but because it has moving parts it is subject to breakage. I never had a problem starting a fire with 2 hands using the striker, just get your tinder sorted out and spark away. The strike force is a heavier duty built sparker.

Any cord you have is better than none. That EMS cord has an even higher break weight than paracord but thats not really the point of paracord.
Sure there are stronger cords out there but none that can be separated into 8 new cords by itself. Its the multi use utility of paracord that makes it great kit.

I would keep the cord you have now if you bought it already and search the surplus shops in your area until you find some, surely you have surplus stores in New Jersey. Hell if I lived close to you i'd give you a hundred feet. E-bay has spools and 50-100 foot hanks for resonable money, the more you buy the cheaper per foot.

*Warning: the surplus store habit is very addictive once started. Send out the SAR techs boys we lost another one haha.

Mike

Although, up to this point in time, I've never attempted this, it might be worthwhile using a vacuum sealer to reduce the overall volume of the pads. I doubt that they will ever reduce down to the standard Altoid tin size, but any reduction at all can make a positive difference.

Comanche7

Just out of curiosity I tore a piece of the EMS cord apart. It has 6 inner-strands with the outer covering. Not as good as seven but it will do for now. There is an Army/Navy surplus store about an hour from me. I know they carry surplus paracord, if I am heading that way I might just stop and pick up a roll, im sure the stuff comes in pretty handy for stuff other then survival. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Any more ideas for me anyone? Im still open to suggestions. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Heya Doozer!
I keep a few tampons in my kit but mostly pads because they can be used as wound dressing.
As for "the keeper" thing that Mike suggested,well...
it's a bit of an icky little device,but i have tried it(yup,I'm female!), and the one thing that you should do if you plan on adding it to an emergency kit ,is to practice using it a couple of times first. It can be a little tricky,and the last thing that you need in an emergency situation is to worry about leaking. *ahem* (sorry guys).
The good thing about "the keeper" is that it is reusable and can last for years.However if you are allergic to latex do NOT use it.

MY son lives in Philly, when i go to visit i uauslly stop in at I goldbers army navy they have the biggest selection of army navy surplus you could ever think of, there web site has some info and some products but not all there proudcts there site igoco.com gives you there history,hours....ect
Tom