Wow! Sounds like you had an "interesting" time...

It seems that are two major arenas for survival considerations - urban and remote regions (mountains, deserts, oceans, etc). Most of my attention has been focused on remote areas, primarily because that is where I have worked, lived, and recreated. Needs there are pretty basic - skills, knowledge, and judgement are far more critical that gadgets and trinkets. Even at that, a well chosen bag of goodies can make life a lot more bearable (and possible, as well).

Much of this stuff is less relevant in urban, settled situations which can be more complex - think civil unrest, etc.

Sometimes these two major domains will intertwine - think earthquake in Los Angeles, one of my major concerns. My adaptation will involve turning off the gas, avoid the downed power lines, and camp out on my lot (using all my wilderness stuff) while I salvage my ruined homestead and try to get back to normal.

I hope your insight will not hinder the vital discussion of whether pQst alloy is superior to xyz34 alloy for a survival blade - that is really important stuff!!