Thanks for all of your help, guys, back when I was assembling these. I had been working on them for quite some time.

My family each got an emergency kit that contained a bit of everything in the small bright yellow Outdoor Research Cell Block. There are no sharps or intimidating items, so they can carry them into government buildings. And they all know how to use everything that's in it. Some liked certain items more than others (for instance, my dad liked the tiny radio, my brother the flashlight that matches his car), but at least now they have options for EDC. And they didn't get wierded out!

What's included:

Bic lighter
compass/whistle/magnifier
emergency bag
poncho
signal-orange bandanna
water pouch
MRE cookie
tiny radio
flashlight
needles and thread
latex tubing (for water seeps, but my brother was teasing about using it for self-injections)
dust mask
Beefed-up Pocket Medic (many thanks to Frank Meyer from Adventure Medical for the extra PVC bags)

I hope everyone had a great holiday!

My sister recently moved to Boulder, CO, and I know she does a lot of hiking. I got her Cody's book, Doug's PSP, an AMK first aid kit, and some other assorted items. I wrote up a list of why I included each item. After digesting what she was looking at, she said "This is great! I've been thinking of taking some survival classes!" Sounds like it was a real hit!