You're right, miniMe, there are varying stages of worsening scenarios, down to the point where all you have left to rely on is your EDC. My EDC is a lot like Doug's and others on this site, and, hopefully, with the right attitude and knowledge, would suffice for short-term needs, if that's all I had. I also keep copies of the essentials in my vehicle. However, you could construct a scenario where even your EDC is lost, confiscated, forcefully stolen, etc. Yikes! That's where the true survival mentality must take over, where you have to improvise and obtain things a la MacGuyver.

I'll be interested to see what others have to say about your newest post on kit layering and modularity. It's a preparedness topic that's been on my mind a lot lately.