We all should carry a PSK, FAK, and God knows what else. Lately I've seen some posting from people that complain about bulk of their personal carry. I was going thru my FAK the other day and tried to figure out items that will serve as dual purpose. I know that problem with that is that you don't have a backup. So what sort of items would you think can be used for dual purpose?

Matt

Duct tape - can fix almost anything, and in a pinch, can be used as a bandage. It also, according to a recent clinical study, can be used to remove warts. Amazing stuff...

I saw a thread on another board recently extolling the firestarting capabilities of duct tape. They wrapped twigs in a 6" strip of duct tape. They light the duct tape with a match. The glue and fabric burned long enough to start the twigs which they used to start logs.

In the realm of firestarting, I would think a whole lot of things in a FAK would burn nicely: tampons, sanitary napkins, cotton balls, cotton rolls, petrolatum & petroleum jelly based antibiotic ointments, triangular & self-adhering bandages, rubber constricting bands, gauze pads, waxed paper wrappers of various bandages & pads, DEET insect repellent, zip lock bags, tapes (duct & otherwise), alcohol, surgical gloves, tongue depressors, etc. Ranger bands could be used in a FAK to hold similar items together, and they burn well.
FWIW, gelled alcohol waterless hand cleansers don't burn worth spit, in my experience. Maybe it's just the brand I tested? <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Non-burning dual purpose items? Hmm... Glucose paste or tablets, or some other sort of stable edible items for treating hypoglycemia could provide energy. Most medical personnel carry some sort of small light in their kits. Potassium Permanganate has multiple uses. Sutures could be used as very light cordage, I suppose.
That's all that comes to mind right away.
Stay safe,
J.T.

My EDC fits in my pants pockets unnoticibly. In a pinch I can fit it all into the two slash pockets of my running shorts, though with noticible protrusions. Almost all of my gear serves more than one category.

Duct Tape will help make bandages, can be used to start fires ( I usually shread it, then light it with sparks).

My Trau Medic can be used as a breathing filter and a water filter, but not as effective as a mask.

My CPR mask makes somewhat of a water filter for larger setiment, though very slowly.

I have two vacumm sealed modules. Each plastic Vacumm bag can be used as a canteen.

Large piece of plastic is used as a vapor barrier sleeping bag, water proof shelter, and in a pinch, a poncho. I haven't as yet tried using it for transpiration as it is a large square and would be difficult to seal, but not impossible.
I have used them for solar distillers with excellent results. I prefer a good piece of plastic to a mylar bag because of the water gathering purposes, the greater durability, and my field tests have proven to me they are warmer.

In good conditions I could make a fire. My skills aren't as good as I would like, but my strategy so far is stay warm in the plastic.

EDC is only for daily urban life mind you, in hot conditions, with plenty of water around. Worst case scenario would leave me unable to walk the few miles to the nearest water source and I would die of heat stroke. Still I think water too heavey for EDC.

I don't plan on lighting my only sterile dressing or ranger bands on fire unless I absolutely know I can start a fire. If the weather is so bad that I need a fire then I'm SOL. (Seriously Obliterated Life).

I can then I don the plastic sheet and do exercises to stay warm. Not likely it will be cold enough to need more than that to stay comfortable let alone survive.

I would say my signaling and emergency device groups are the ones with only one purpose. Multipurpose Tool is really only for the tasks it was designed for. Compass, whistle, flashlight, fire making gear all are there only to serve their intended purpose.

I have been carrying a bandana and a triangular bandage for all the obvious reasons, (sun protection, bandage, towel, signal, filter, etc) I will be chainging that to a large square of flourescent material, similar to a bandana, large enough to make a shemagh and triangular bandage, yet more effective. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />