What do you think of these contents:
Ka-Bar knife
lighter
snakebite kit
water purification tablets
canteen
basic medication
energy bars

What should I add?

Off the top of my head a whistle, tinder, and signal mirror. MOre to come.

Toss the snakebite kit in the trash. They are more dangerous than the snakebite.

You mean a full size 7 inch K-Bar? Why? Explain yourself! ["I like it" is perfectly OK]

Add at least one additional means of fire starting and cord, cord, and more cord.

I agree with the other posts, and suggest some kind of light source.
Definitely loose the snakebite kit, dangerous is the operative word.
Kabar, ehh? I look forward to your rationale.
Like Kabars myself, but have a Cold Steel SRK in my go bag.

He did not specity what the snakebite kit was. I thought that the "Sawyer" was supposed to be pretty good.

There was a thread on this a few weeks ago. The conslusion was inconclusive, as I recall.

You are off to an excellent start. In addition to what the others have said, I would recommend something to sharpen your Kabar with, like a credit card sized diamond sharpener. A writing utensil and paper, button compass, heavy-duty tinfoil, breast milk bags for carrying water, a few safety pins and a large sewing needle would be very useful additions as well.

Regards, Vince

In addition to the suggestions made - Some kind of light would be good. A needle and some thread or dental floss might be handy as well, and takes up very little room. Oh. And Duct tape <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

HappyCamper,

Throw the snake bite kit away! Even the Sawyer is not worth using.

Here should be your priorities - time to death: 3 seconds - foolish act, 3 minutes - no oxygen to brain, 3 hours - lack of thermo-regulation, 3 days - lack of hydration, 3 weeks - lack of food.

These are the areas that you should think about:
Fire – 3 hours – butane lighter, ferro rod, and treated cotton tinder
First-Aid – 3 minutes - kit
Food – 3 weeks – snack bar
Navigation – pocket compass
Shelter – 3 hours – cord and plastic sheet
Signal – whistle, signal mirror, and blinking light
Water – 3 days – container and treatment
Weapons/Tools – knife, LeatherMan, saw, and flashlight

Think about what you need to survive verses what would make you feel comfortable. Also think about the weight and size of the items you are willing to always have on you versus what you will be tempted to leave at home or in the car; just this one time.

I am fond of the layered approach: Pocket items, CamelBack items, car items, and home items.

Why not use the container that the snake bite kit came in as a PSK container? You can leave the snakebite stuff in there and fit a ton of stuff in there. Seal it with tape and be good to go. BTW, I have tons of knives from Randall, Kabar, Buck and others. I love my Kabar the most, it is the most comfortable. The Randall is awesome but I am a Kabar man.

The Kabar is a fine knife. I usually reccomend a smaller knife in a starter kit. I have several designs that attach directly to the knife. What ever the knife is it must be kept sharp. I have purchased several of the diamond "card" sharperners and expoxed them to the back of the knife sheath. This works with both soft and hard sheathes. Found two of the red folding handle sharpeners at a yard sale, $1.00 for both. Recycled the handles and used the diamond stones. My wife says I make cheap cheap noises in my sleep.

Do some research into " the ten essentials" for more ideas.

I'd add a big trash bag or two, training and information -- emergency numbers, and cash,

You folks are awful hard on snake bite kits. Let's not forget the immortal words of W.C. Fields:

Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snake bite; and
Always carry a small snake.

There's more than one kind of snake bite kit.

John