I've been asking myself a question... Isn't it wiser to use survival or first aid gear during your regular "usage pattern" instead of building and tossing kits in backpacks or glove compartments and forget about them until you need'em?

For example, i've been assembling my own small survival kit to take out on my backcountry day hikes. I was asking myself : "should I put my Leatherman Micra in there and buy another knife?". I carry the Micra all the time on my key ring, so I don't see why I should purchase a different knife for my kit. Assuming there is a survival situation, I will be carrying the Micra as well as the "kit" I have prepared.

Another example : the space blanket. I've chosen to purchase a higher-end, rugged plastic/foil blanket with holes at the corners. I will add this to my backpack, and i'm positive I will use it more that I even imagined (to sit or even lay down, as shelter during pouring rain, etc.). Why purchase and forget a cheap 1$ blanket to be used exclusively in the survival kit?

I'm sure you see my point... I am tending to streamline my kits a little bit and try not to be too redundant with my gear. On a day-to-day basis, I simply use anything I need to use, and keep seldom used items in the kits. I resupply when it's time to do so. Much, much more cost and space efficient, and it keeps you in "touch" with your gear so you know what you have and how to use everything.

This might go against the crowd; I am just sharing my opinion with you. Ttyl! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That is pretty much how I am. I have kits and extra gear, but I always try to use what I have prepared. It makes sense, you just have to be carefull it is there when you need it.

I'd be nervous about not having redundant gear nearby or at least available. That way you always know it's there, safe and sound, ready for your use.

My car kit has a USAF-style fixed blade knife and Gerber folder, the backpack kit has a Benchmade folder and Squirt P4, and the EDC is typically a Spyderco folder and/or Wave. Oh yeah, and a Swiss Army Knife in the camping gear bin. Probably a little overkill. If I really get in a tough spot, there's always the Lexan cutlery set. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The vacuum sealer has done wonders for me not pilfering my own gear, too.

My rule of thumb for this is:
Carry what I think I will need "out" and keep a redundent item one "level" up in my kit - aka, on person, in backpack, in truck, in house

BUT I'm NOT afraid to "raid" a different kit for use, BUT if I find that I'm raiding a kit more than "rarely", a "Use" version is bought, and "stored" version is stored

AKA - I have a knife on me, and there is a backup in my bag. Now I have a small flashlight on me, but if I find myself going for the bigger flashlight more than every once in a while, I'll buy a bigger carry flashlight, and also keep one in the kit.

Just remember: 2 is 1, one is none

EDC is just that every day carry. What I pack in my kits does not get used every day, it's not supposed to. I have the most redundancy w/ first aid kits and I'll grab the bigger kit first when possible to leave the small kits in tacked. I do have several different EDC set ups. Home, work & woods play all differ to some degree. The most redundancy is built into my wilderness kits and yes I do add some things in there before I go but it's only 2 or 3 items.

Adam

I don't believe in having stuff only for emergencies. For example, if I don't use my flashlight often, I'm worried that when I do use it the batteries will be flat. If I'm using it I'll notice them and can replace them. I daresay some people are diligent enough to check status every few months. As far as I possible I prefer to use them.

I try to go for diversity rather than redundancy. Instead of a Micro in my pocket and another Micra in a kit, I'd put a different tool in the kit. Probably that tool can be bigger and better, but just being different is an improvement. Gives me more options.

My EDC is a mixture of stuff I expect to use every day, and stuff I hope I'll never use.

I am of two minds. I believe that you should carry and use your PSK items. For the mini-PSK I say carry them in your pockets spread out. It is very possible to set down your pack, pouch, or whatever and then loose it. If they are in your pocket then you will have them. For bigger items you should have them where you keep your water. You might put other things down but you will keep your water close. I use a CamelBack. I might take a fanny pack off during a rest but I tend to keep my CamelBack on because I want to keep drinking water.

My second thought is that there are some items that are so important that if I lost or broke it I want a new item to replace it. I have an extra ferro rod, more Coghlan’s Emergency Tinder, a fixed blade knife, a lighter, a compass, and other things. I have a small version of these things in my pockets but I want the full size heavy duty version in my pack. If I dropped and lost my Boy Scout Hot Spark I am still good because I have a new ferro rod waiting for me in the CamelBack.