Kev,

I am not going to argue with you.

You said in your original post that this scenario length is "an extended period of time". Now you say its a short time frame. Which is it because it does make a difference?

After a day or 2 your convenience supplies are gone and your left with not much more than me. I can live that 2 days without light and 10 matches.

Just explain to me how your gear after its used up is any good to you. On the 13th hr you have no light.
After 4 litres of water you're boiling yours like me.

Don't even get me started on the photon vs belt knife comment.

You say "Anything that I'm carrying isn't radically different from your list of things that rest in your pockets (according to your above list). "

I suggest you look again at the 2 lists of what is in my pockets 365 days/yr.

SAK
Bic Lighter
Hanky
wallet with swiss tool
spare change

I think our lists are VERY different!

The point I am trying to make is this:

More people have died in the bush because of stupidity than not having a glock, photon light, dental floss and the all important survival tool "the P38 can opener".

Who would you bet on for a 6 month stay in the bush?
A 65 yr old trapper with one 6 inch belt knife.

Or a 25 yr old gearhead with 15 pounds of the best survival gear and a head full of rocks?

This all reminds me of the mini eco challenge in the Australia outback about 5 years ago which pitted 5 super fit techno racers against one 75yr old aboriginal man. the race was 100 miles across the worst desert in Australia. The eco racers had the best gear and support teams and the old man had a tin can with wire and a pocket knife. The race ended with the old man waiting at the finish line hours before the modern team. To add insult to injury, the eco team spent days in the hospital getting rehydrated and wounds tended too and the old man turned around and walked 100 miles home the next day.

I love packing a good survival kit like the next guy but practice a lot without it. Everything but the basic gear is comfort and convenience and only lasts so long then your back to basics.
Don't count on this stuff to keep you alive for any real length of time.

My opinion for what its worth.

Mike