Benton is exactly right. Besides, they are easy to lose, easy to break, but easy to carry. apart from sewing, I use them for first aid, cleaning in tiny crevices in precision gear, compass in an emergency, making tiny holes in metal or plastic, replacement watch band pins . . . .

Yup, one of those mirror, or the www.survivalandoutdoorsafety.com site carries mil-spec glass mirrors, which I prefer.

For my own situation I don't rate a mirror as especially important. One reason is that it needs sun. Right now I look out of the window at noon in summer and I have no sun. Another reason is that I live and work in an urban setting, so there will usually be someone within hearing range of a good whistle.

So a mirror is something I am willing to downgrade. My EDC doesn't include one at all. My small kits include a piece of mirror card cut to fit the kit. It's actually made of plastic, not card, about a 1/3rd the thickness of a proper signal mirror and a huge improvement over a polished tin lid. No aiming spot, though. If you are looking to save space it is something to consider. I'm not recommending it as such because I don't know how important a mirror is to your situation.

I'm not so sure how important a mirror is to my situation either. Still working that one out. Signal mirror flashes seem to be ignored by all but trained SAR who are looking for you, and sometimes by them as well. Seems that signal smokes gets more attention simply because people are so paranoid about forest fires. These are not hard fast beliefs but rather things I consider to have some potential accuracy. I read alot of accounts of aircraft ignoring signal mirrors but reporting signs of fire.

Personally, I'd keep a mirror. We tested mirror signaling during Practice What You Preach III on Terrill Hoffman's mountain in NC. The reflection from a proper mirror and even an unskilled user is pretty hard to ignore, even by an unskilled observer. I have a lot of confidence in their ability to attract attention and the one in Doug's kit is a fine piece of gear...

M

Brian,

My pleasure. Your kit is well thought out and very well stocked - so well so that it's hard to criticize.

I see now what you're thinking with the different OTC pain meds and I like where you're going with them.

My only other thoughts to add would be in reference to your fire starting gear. You may be able to save some space by eliminating the matches and a ferro rod. I think that the BIC or a SparkLight for their one hand capability, one decently sized ferro rod, and an ample supply of reliable tinder is a pretty good selection for a minikit...

M

Wasn't someone in the helicopter in the lost volcano hiker situation in Hawaii attracted by a flashing camera mirror?
Rescue made.
I'd keep/get a mirror. It's also good for face cuts and checking the rear areas of the bosy for ticks. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It wasn't really a question of whether or not to carry a mirror. It was question of which mirror to carry. If the advantages of the ETS-PSP/Rescue Flash Mirror over the REI Featherweight Mirror justifies its significantly added bulk in the kit.

Brian,

Another bummer of the REI featherweight mirror is that it is not really flat and cannot reflect the light as good as the Ritter PSP mirror. The Ritter PSP mirror could save your butt. I’d put the REI mirror in your wallet and put a Ritter PSP mirror in your PSK. If you swap the DMT hone for the credit card size you should be at the same volume you are now.

Brian,

Thanks for the post and the picture. Would you let me know where to find individual packets of immodium and sting relief? I struck out at my local drug stores. Thanks.

Michael