I just put one together and several folks I know are questioning the value of having things like needles, thread, candle, safety pins etc. in the kit. To be honest, I felt a bit embarrsed when one person commented on my new kit and here I spent a few days on it.

You really need to learn how to use the stuff in your kit. Do some reading; Doug has recommended some great books. Your needle and thread can be used to sew a button on or used for stitches (just make sure the thread is not in to long because the wound will heal around the thread and it wont come out and it hurts really bad trying to pull it out J) safety pins have too many uses to count. I learned of a new one the other day. (If you have to perform rescue breathing to a victim who has a broken neck and your by yourself the book I was reading said to safety pin the victims tough to their lip to keep it from blocking the air way). Your candle will help light damp wood, provide light, and in a snow cave will increase the temperature a few degrees.

I don’t seal my kit and I carry all kinds of stuff in it that I on a regular basis. Like chap stick, tweezers, Tylenol and antacid. Other stuff I hope I never use, but I feel better knowing there in my pocket. If your embarrassed about you kit don’t show any one but don’t stop carrying it!

I remember as a boy Kennedy speaking to the nation about missiles in Cuba. My parents spent the unheard of sum of $80 dollars at the grocery store. Today across the US many older homes have these real funny storage rooms built like bomb shelters. In "Tornado Alley," Those quaint monuments to another enemy and means of survival are still viable against a different threat. That $80 wouldn't go very far today.The memory and lesson has. A PSK is not a universal panacea for every calamity. In extreme circumstances it is Just enough to get by;no less and no more. In daily use, you and your object of curiosity and derision are going to become a resource for little emergencies. That is going to instill in you a conscious mindset of being minimally prepared 24/7 and a degree of leadership.The guy with the candle or flashlight always goes down a darkened stairway first by default. Never be embarressed. The simplest kit of humble items makes you a survival Tyranosaurus Rex. The people making ill informed comments are just fence lizards.

Very well put, Chris. Hope you're holding up OK out there in California.

You should be proud of it as you obviously spent a lot of time on it. I’m sure that we here all are proud of ours.

Its works well to lay down the character you are.
The first night on a sailing ship I was with 12 strangers sitting around a big table having had a meal and everyone sipping their wine. I noticed one guy (Miles) had his whole belt covered with pouches containing Leathermans, Victorinox’s, Zippo’s, Maglights and what not. We obviously had something to talk about…I got my PSK out and explained every bit. The whole table started to listen. They seemed impressed, in between all the [censored] taking that is.
But it was a great night and for the next 16days I was known as “SAS man” <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Reinhardt

Many of us may never use our kits in a true survival situation. But we at least know and have the confidence that we have tools and supplies that may help us survive in a variety of unfortunate circumstances.

Many of the components in a PSK are not one-dimensional, meaning that our human ingenuity can adapt most of the items for a whole range of unforeseen circumstance. You may use the needle and thread to sew on buttons. Or you may use it to help dig out a festering splinter. Or you may magnetize the needle and float it on a small leaf in a puddle to find magnetic north. Or you may use it to dig out some dirt that caked up on your Spark-lite when you dropped in the mud. The possibilities are bountiful.

Instead of shrugging your shoulders at their comments and turn their questioning back at them, "What would you use a needle for in survival/emergency situation.” Those that are doubting you obviously have not given it a thought. Some may respond to such a challenge and rise to the occasion. Others may not. Of course these will be the ones that will be looking for someone else to save their butts in an emergency rather than being able to help themselves.

There are many lessons you can learn at this web site, both from the content and from the forum participants. But I think I have learned two great survival truisms.

1. Your greatest survival tool is your brain.
2. Practice survival techniques before you need them.

Welcome to ETS and good luck. BTW, you won't anyone here questioning the value of your kit. Nor will anyone here belittle your ideas and questions. So don't hold back and jump right into the forum!

I believe I read your posting on another forum.

I too was a bit suprised at the number of people on that site who felt it was not needed, particularly since it is a survivial oriented forum.

What I saw as the most prevelant comment was a PSK was not needed for daily carry in an urban environment. They saw the use in a wilderness but not an urban environment.

This forum is kit friendly and will support your need to build and carry kits.

Exactly. My kit is really much more convenience or comfort related. Still weighs a ton, though.

My EDC includes both a true survival kit and many convenience items. My hope is to never have to use the survival kit but I would not feel prepared if I found myself in a true emergency without it. The survival risks that I face vary from day to day and having a layered kit approach allows me to customize a bit but I still carry the basics for every situation. Shelter, fire, water.

In an urban situation that may come to an umbrella, mini-bic and 1 liter spring water. I usually carry significantly more. If I am heading into a circumstance where I may be abruptly deposited into a situation where I can't expect to reach a building within a days walk (flight over wilderness, long drive in the country, hike in the woods, etc.) I carry minimally tarp, poncho, space blanket combination for shelter and some puritabs for water and some backup for my backup for fire and tinder spark-lite, mini-bic, storm-proof matches - tinder-quick, cigars, lint, hand-sanitizer. In most situations I will be carrying my trusty Altoids PSK and a similar sized FAK as the base layer for the layering system. I have found that in any pleat front pants I have the altoids tins fit comfortably in the front pockets, one on each side I don't wear tight fitting jeans so they fit in those pockets as well. With an altoids tin in the pocket the Wave fits vertically right beside it and nothing shifts or becomes uncomfortable. Though my wave usually rides the belt in it's leather sheath. I don't bother with the tool adapter since I really don't see the need to be tinkering with mechanical stuff in a survival situation. The tool adapter rides in the vehicle. If I am in the vehicle I may need it.

Man you ARE equipped.

My biggest problem is trying to carry both convenience items -- FAK, small gear in a small bag, radio, and maybe a Wave -- ALONG WITH eye goggles, particle masks, leather gloves, and a mini-prybar (this stuff eats space like you wouldn't believe). Every time I try it, my system totally breaks down.

My work briefcase holds my leather shoulder bag which contains the conveneince items. I put everything else in a small plastic shopping bag. Trying to get everything in one bag is a headache.