First I have my "on my person" stuff. These are the things that go in my pocket/on my body. I try to keep all of them on me or atleast near me as much as possible. They are:
1. Benchmade 705 BT in a sheath that also holds a two AA Mini-Maglight.
2. Benchmade 5BLK rescue hook
3. Butane lighter
4. Wallet with all the regular stuff plus bandaides, Swiss Card, and metal money clip.
5. My cell phone (Model 720c Motorola)
6. Leatherman wave
7. Keyring with my keys, photon micro light 2, and a Leatherman Squirt S4.
8. A hand assembled first aid kit that fits in my back pocket.
9. On a seperate keyring is a CPR microshield, Flint firestarter bar, and a whistel/compass/thermometer thing.
10. A Back pocket survival kit made out of an altoids can, sealed with electrical tape.
11. An analog watch
12. Sometimes I carry my Garmin E-trex and/or a two-way radio on my belt.
13. A bandana or 2 (I prefer atleast one dark colored and one light colored one)

In the little back pocket survival kit I have:
-A small Swiss Army Knife
-Waterproof matches (one of which is wrapped in black thread) with 2 waterproof strikers.
-A few bandaids
-A few butterfly bandages
-Alchohol pad
-Folded heavy duty tinfoil
-Tweezers
- about a foot and a half of that thin flat white cord
- 2 different size saftey pins and a needle
- solid fuel tabs
- a Suunto wrist compass (minus the strap)
- a roll of dental floss
- bullion cube (Chicken flavored)
- a 2 inch length of natural fiber rope
- a P-38 can opener
- a small salt packet
- 2 razor blades
- A length of black electrical tape sealing the case
- The "altoids can kit" is kept in a little handmade soft leather "sheath" that stops it from wearing out my back pockets. I would list the first aid kit contents but I don't feel like going through it since its packed pretty tight. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I also have a survival kit in a little bag thats about the size of a camera case. If need be I can put it on my belt fast. Its contents are:
- A bandana (spare to the one(s) I carry)
- A Tool Logic card
- A bottle of water purification tablets
- 2 solid fuel tabs
- A "fishing kit" that consist of a small spool of fishing line, 3 pre tied hooks, and 2 weights.
- A small compressed roll of orange marking tape
- A small two bladed knife (Carbon Steel blades)
- About 15 or so feet of parachute cord
- A triangular bandage
- A compass/magneyfying glass/ thermometer/ ruler thing I got in Switzerland
- About 25 feet of this thin green line (its a 1 mm thick)
- A flint/magnesium bar (spare to the one I usually carry)
- A steel signal mirror
- folded Heavy duty tinfoil
- A space blanket
- A matchbox filled with matches, bulion cubes, sewing needel, saftey pins, sewing thread, enough change to make a phone call, and some other stuff I forgot (its sealed to be waterproof so I don't want to rip it apart.
- Some first aid supplies such as gloves, bandages, medicine, wound cleaning stuff, neosporing stuff, ect.
- 1 large garbage bag
- my pocket saw

A also have a kit in a fanny pack sized bag. Its contents are:
- 2 ponchos
- extra batteries for my maglight
- 1 "write in rain" pad and pencil
- 1 signal mirror
- 1 24 hour candle
- A roll of campers toilet tissue
- A set of Cub scout silverware
- A pen sized flare gun with 3 flares
- Chapstick type Aloe Vera Sunscreen Lip Balm
- A small Deep Woods Off spray bottle
- a small bottle of biodegradable soap
- my full sized Suunto compass (MC-2)
- A triangular bandage
- a CPR microshield
- a Fox 40 whistle
- A compressed tinder bar
- A bottle of waterproof matches
- A small container of strike anywhere matches
- 2 small button compasses (1 also functions as a sundial)
- A "space pen"
- A sewing kit in a film container
- A climbing rated carabiner with attached:
>Dog tag with my name and address
>small Swiss Army Knife (the one with the light, pen, and bottle opener, I think its called a midnight manager?)
>cutco Serrated knife
>ceramic V-type knife sharpener
>another whistle
>waterproof knot card of the "12 most usefull knots"
>15 or so feet of parachute cord

I also have my mess kit in a seperate bag:
- It consist of a pan, a pan with its fold out handle, a pot, a metal cup, bullion cubes, 4 solid fuel tabs, and assorted fire starting stuff (2 lighters and 2 bottles of NATO matches, some assorted tinder)

So, anyone have any ideas on things to add/change? I need some imput <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am going to take your advice and add some heavy tin foil and a good wire saw to my kit.

Suggestions:
In your larger kit I would suggest a space bag not the blanket which is near useless. I would add a couple of heavy garbage bags. Your fire making is a little weak. Throw in some more bics and water proof strike anywhere matches in all your kits as well as some vaseline cotton ball tinder and maybe consider a gerber strike force. I hate the magnesium striker bar with a passion.

Water containers like condoms and a platypus container.

More "real" Paracord 30-50 ft is better.

Your fishing kit is very small. I once had a small one like that and tried it out. In 30 mins I blew through the entire kit by loosing hooks, line and sinkers to snags. I suggest at least 20 hooks and sinkers and swivels some lures and longer better line. 10 lb test line wont cut in survival. Get some 30-50lb test line from spider wire its very strong and not big in diameter. It can be used for anything.

A small tube of sunscreen, your skin will love you. Water purify tabs in all kits.

Some things may not be needed; cub scout cutlery?
Carabiner?
Pen flares? Questionable...
P38? Should have a can opener on your SAK & Wave
Tool logic card? what does this do that your knife can't?
2 ponchos, I assume they are the disposable kind. Get 1 good quality poncho.
Where is your duct tape?
In this age of bio warfare, maybe some protective masks and gloves are in order.

I would add some quick energy foods like power bars or the like.

I don't carry a signal mirror because my Silva ranger compass has a mirror already.

Well you asked haha, my opion only of course.

Mike

Hi Paul810,

Welcome to ETS! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It appears that you have been putting some thought and effort into your kits. As with most of us, you'll probably have discovered that there is no such thing as the ultimate kit, and that they are constantly evolving to meet the users current needs and will continue to improve with time. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

May I suggest that the "Fanny Kit" seems to have all of the compasses in it. It would be advantageous to split them up among the various kits. Redundancy is a great idea, but what if the fanny kit was lost / unretrievable /misplaced / stolen etc. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Best not to place all the eggs in one basket as the old saying goes.

Regarding the flare pen, please review go to the review section of the ETS site and peruse Doug's reviews on them. You might come away with a different opinion on using them. For myself, if I had one (and room in the kit) I would put it in the kit, but would not want to depend soley upon it. Neither would I rush out to buy one, feeling that the room could be better used by other things.

Re: Firestarting, it is hard to beat the price and availability of the "bic" type lighters, I have several spread out in my kits, however, that said I recently invested in the "Blast Match" which has also been reviewed on this site. Having used it several times, I am impressed with its ability to start a fire.

Re: P-38's ...I have several distributed among the kits, even though there are other methods of opening cans included in the kit. My thought here, is that IF, I had to provide others with the ability to open cans, I would like to keep the other instruments available for my use. Would really not want to end up giving away a useful tool to others that may not know how to use and/or properly care for it.

Perhaps you might want to include Bill Vannersons modified "STOP" document in your kits as well.

Re: fishing kit stuff: Definitely get the "spiderwire" line. You will find that it is thinner and stronger than most other lines around. This means you can carry more & stronger line in the same space as the current low test line in your kit. You will need to learn the "Palomar" knot for use with this type orf line, it is easy. Do a forum search on "knots" & " spiderwire" and you will find several relevant threads about this.

The comment regarding adding more hooks and sinkers being advisable is also appropriate, I even included some swivels as well. Consider adding a big hook or two, 7/0 or 8/0 for use as a gaff or gig on a pole. A lot of fish are lost while being pulled out of the water, using a gaff could increase the success rate. They have other uses as well, put on a long stick you could pull down fruit from trees etc.

Your post did not state whether this was for urban or wilderness use, but in either event, some maps would be appropriate as well. Which maps? Good question...review topographic, street and state maps then make your own conclusions based upon your location, travel intentions, personal knowledge of the area etc.

Just my quick two cents from the peanut gallery. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards,
Comanche7

Thank you guys, keep the ideas comming....this is great. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oh, I forgot to tell you guys that I added a scout "hot spark" to my pocket kit. I have to find some way to store the vasiline soaked cotten balls in my kit without getting vasiline all over the place. <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Film Canister with duct taped lid.

Thanks <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> By the way, where do you guys get your parachute cord from? I saw some in home depot but I wasn't sure if it was the true strong stuff or just some cheap imitation. Is their a certain weight rating or type i should get? <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Paul810,

Real parachute cord is rated at 550# and contains 7 inner strands which can be removed and used for additional line if needed. There are many imitations of real 550 cord, some pretty good, most are a waste of time. Do a forum search for "paracord" "parachute cord" "550 line" . There have been several pretty good discussions in the past regarding such cord and sources.

Regards,
Comanche7

Paul,

Beware of the so called paracord knockoffs.

Like Comanche says there are many. Real paracord has no equal in utility and quality and its cost reflects that.
I remember in the military blowing through spools of the stuff and chucking it away like nothing. If only i had known it is a rarity in civi life and expensive, i would have procured a few spools before I retired.
Home depot "does not sell real paracord" at least where i live.
Check surplus stores and e-bay. Make sure it is 550 lb rated and has 7 single inner strands. You will know it when you see it.

Most people have never seen the stuff and thus call anything nylon paracord.
I picked up a 1200 ft spool on ebay for $37 which is the cheapest way to go. The best purchase I have made in years.

Duct tape and paracord it holds the world together.

Mike

I have a store by me called EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports). They sell climbling rated rope and climbing stuff, as well as outdoors supplies. Do you think they will have the real stuff? It will be expensive from them but if its the good stuff i'll pay. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />