To be honest... I kind of agree with Lono, at least here. After all, it's the Urban Prep forum, so he's right - there is most likely help available.

There are quite a few posts re: FAKs, but few folks I've seen here actually carry one day-to-day. Mostly they're car/work/home kits, in other words, pre-positioned.

regarding the bulk, bandages CAN be vacuum-packed, like food. It helps a lot, esp with kerlix and gauze.

As far as what I think/do, I agree with Pete too- a few supplies would go FAST. And there usually are enough things to make basic first aid supplies out of - dress shirts probably easier than undershirts or coats, splints with newspaper or bulky jackets, socks and belts as tourniquets. Sweatshirts/pants as good trauma bandages. But, any 'mass casualty' incident, chances are you'll be affected too (by definition), and maybe not in the best shape to share supplies.

Not to mention, how big an incident are you planning for? How are you going to triage who gets your limited supplies? what's your level of training? It's all well and good to apply bandages to a bleeding wound, but forgetting that someone's cut arm is a lot less serious than the guy with the femur fracture sitting right next to them could have dire consequences. IMO, anything small enough to carry isn't going to be useful enough in a true MCI - everyone focuses on "blood!" and not enough on real triage (ie, START algorithm or something similar). really, bleeding control is pretty low on the list of things to do.

Anyway, carry what you want I guess is the bottom line. Just make sure you know what you're carrying for. sorry this is a kind of convoluted post.