So much better to have and not need rather than need and not have!

It happens to everyone. In the end you learn to keep the emergency gear in a readily accessible place. Just a few basic first aid and survival items.

But you know ... any time something like this happens my mind always goes back to an old TV episode with Steve Irwin (the Aussie Crocodile man). He had one episode wher eis was driving around the middle of nowhere in his truck, and stopped to get something out of the back. Couldn't find it, and would up tossing all the gear he had on the ground before he located it. The point being ... he did the whole process while grinning. That guy just managed to keep the best possible attitude about life, even when things were really screwed up.

Pete

One thing I do is keep the first aid kit in the outermost pocket of my pack for very easy access. I feel it is one item that I need to have very fast access to.

And my pack is plenty big enough (Voodoo Tactical Tobago) that I don't have to pack all the stuff into it too tightly, so re-packing it isn't that big of a deal with mine.

This sounds like a classic case of Murphys Law. But you did have the gear and the only hassle was getting to it, not having it. So good job.

i a'm planing to hike not hitchhike cross country about 150 miles . atlanta to the coast of sc. i'm 5'7'' and wiegh 145# . what would be the prime wieght of my pack and how do u get that =

Getting in a hurry is what gets you into trouble.

I try to pack so as to get the most in a pack or whatever, but not so tight there is only one way everything will fit. In other words, don't forget to pack some slack.

If you need something, get it, use it , put it back.

At best hurry is expensive. At worst, deadly.

"Pack some Slack",

Nice saying Duckear, I am going to quote you when I use it in teach our youth group.

Mike