Golly, what a lot of questions while I was asleep. As the thread was personal equipment, that is all that I listed. Let me give you a fuller picture.

The IT&T ERU's (there only 5 in the world, one in the USA) task is to provide the office communications services so that the Red Cross can function independant of infrastructure. To that end we deploy with comprehensive tool kits, satellite terminals, HF, VHF, solar panels, generator, WiFi PCs and office periferals. Thus on arrival we need make no demands on local resources. In additon the IFRC has a standard list of equipment so that (in theory) we all arrive with compatible equipment. An informed decsision is made as to what is needed immediatley and what can be sent later if required. Where possible all the equipment travels as personal luggage so that we are fully equipped on arrival and it seems to cost no more than shipping freight.

The equipment for personal survival/working is packed in modules so that no more is carried than required, but some sort of meagre existance is possible should we misjudge what was needed.

The SOG has needle nosed pliers, wire strippers, scissors, knife, saw, awl, 1/4" drive for socket spanners and assorted screwdrivers. It is black and engraved to reduce the chance of it being picked up by "accident". It's main function is morale and team builing, they are issued when training is completed. Team members are expected to safely manage energy all the way from petrol in the can, through the generator to EM waves in the atmosphere.

The Personal Deployment pack contains all on the list below it (it is a bugger to make it all fit). The lifejacket looks like a fannypack on a waistbelt but does a proper job of keeping an unconscious body in the right attitude. The strobe and heliograph are tied to the lifejacket for obvious reasons.

The wind up flash light is the size of a postage stamp and is a last resort, individuals are expected to supply their own headlamps. The T shirts are really for trade/gifts, to say thankyou to your driver, that sort of thing. The bucket and/or bath plug, with the laundry liquid, enable you to keep your clothes fresh (don't forget we are there to work, not simply survive). I simply assume that the flint and steel will not be recognised by airport security staff.

Sorry, this is becoming a long post. Lastly let me tell you what I advise people to carry in their hand baggage on the plane, same philosphy as above but personal purchase not supplied by NZRC:

Water bladder
Lightweight poncho
Folding umbrella
Sun glasses
Sunhat
USB stick with operational information, images of passports and credit cards, reference library
Pen, pencil and notepad
Small flashlight
2 complete changes of clothes
laundry liquid (bottle smaller than 100ml)
Ipod with noise cancelling headphones
Book
body warmer
light weight rain jacket
Shoes (I wear my boots on the plane)
Wash kit
Sleeping kit
Pain killers
Headlamp
Hammock
Silk sheet sleeping bag
This all adds up to 11Kg, fortunately my hand baggage (backpack) is rarely weighed

I carry money, travel documents and passports on my person.

Phew, that's it, thank you for your patience

Matthew