David:

The Rule of Threes helped me organize my knowledge when I first started to learn about survival. It covers the things you need to keep alive anywhere, and puts them in the order you'll need them.

From the Rule of Threes, and from reading this site, I formulated my own group of seven categories, which is an expansion of the Rule of Threes. The mental process of creating your own categories will help you sort out what skills and gear you might want to have.

Here are the things I have in my backpacking survival kit. It's in a pouch that stays with me wherever I go in the forest.

Medical
- 4 medium bandaids
- 6 butterfly bandaids
- ibuprophen
- aleve
- benedryl
- immodium AD
- sinutab
- antacid
- personal meds
- glasses
- bug juice
- sunscreen
- lip balm
- toothpick
- ambasol or orajel
Shelter
- trash bag
- tea candle
Fire
- lighter
- MFS and striker
- tinder
Signals
- cell phone
- whistle
- mirror
- compass
- flashlight
- space pen
- waterproof paper
- ID and emergency numbers
Water
- iodine tabs
- 1qt water bag
Food
- none
Tools
- knife (SAK Farmer)
- wire saw
- cash
- credit card
- spirit tool
- sewing kit
- paracord
- toilet paper

Lately, I've been thinking I'd like to try to add a can or small metal cup as a pot. It would hold all the stuff, and fit inside some kind of cloth carrier.

It never ends, really. Have fun.

Bear