I think it goes beyond comfort. We all go through a regimented mental process as we develop and assemble our kits. I beleive the pprocess itself makes us more aware of survival, both in terms of how to survive and, perhaps more importantly, how to avoid survival situations.

We constantly read survival stories about ill prepared, ignorant folks doing things to get themselves in trouble. Most of the time they're actions you and I would avoid or excercise extreme caution.

I firmly beleive the tactil process of kit assembly aids us in our ability to survive as much as having a tin full of useful and/or necessary items. Our brain is our best survival tool!