This reminds me of something that happened more then a few years back. There was a fair (National Trail Day?) at the local open space preserve that included both the park rangers and the Sheriff's SAR team. I asked them both the same question: "What equipment or skill would you like hikers to have?"

The park ranger suggested a jacket and a book of matches. Then he related a story about an unexpected overnight where he lite two campfires and slept between them.

The SAR member told me to "Carry a cell phone and a GPS"