Hi WILD_WEASEL,

How are you planning on purifying water from two Seal 'n Go bags and a Micropur tablet, are you going to chop one in half or are you going to use one tablet for a 12oz bag?

Thanks
Frankie

Frankie,
If a 1-liter container were not readily available, I would split one table between the two bags in my kit. I have my eye out for a suitable 1-liter water bag, but the breast milk bags are the best compromise I have found to date. Condoms just do not cut it as reliable water storage devices. Now... if I could find a 1-liter bag along the lines of the milk storage bag I would switch over to it ASAP.
George

There isn't, but there is something close- turkey bags. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mark them in quart increments before you pack them, and there isn't a lot of guessing as to how many you need when you have to add water tablets. Two of those and a couple of twist ties take up about as much space as two condoms.

I have tinkered with the contents of my survival tin, adding, coffee, gum, and an upgraded compass. Unpacked http://tinypic.com/es6iyb.jpg , Packed http://tinypic.com/es6kxe.jpg .

WW,
Ohhhh, I like that compass. I'm a map & compass user and really prefer the baseplate style compass over the lensatic style. I have little use for a button compass - except as a real emergency backup.

I've been eyeing the compass you're using as a button compass replacement. It is the smallest compass I've seen with a straight edge for aligning maps to north, and a rotating bezel for following a bearing. How smooth is the bezel on that? I find some of the cheap bezels to be almost unusable.

Is that knife a LM Micra? It looks like one.

Thats the Suunto Gem compass. They also have the comet which has a bit bigger ruler and a thermometer.
If the bezel is like the clipper, its not smooth, it clicks into place at every point marked around the bezel.
I havent seen either the Gem or Comet, but I have a couple of clippers and they are a good little compass.

You can find details at:
http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp
Then Products, select All Products
Then Field Compasses

Ken,
I have been using this Suunto compass http://tinypic.com/es7n09.jpg while hiking for the past few years and it has proven to be very serviceable for my needs. The bezel indexes on 47 detents of about 7 to 8 degrees each It along with the Leatherman Micra go back to my philosophy of populating my survival tin with everyday yet compact hiking gear as opposed to the Gucci survival gadgets that many of our brethren become fixated on. Getting back to the TEN-ESSENTIALS 1) map 2) compass 3) water and a way to purify it 4) extra food 5) extra clothing 6) fire starter 7) first aid kit 8) knife 9) flashlight 10) sun glasses. I have covered seven of them and with a heads up, I could add a custom printed map, on waterproof media of the area I would be visiting bringing this up to eight. While I realize items 4 and 7, food and first aid are covered a bit skimpy the first aid supplies along with the Micra could treat; removing a tick, blisters on each heal, a headache, and other booboos. As for food, you can get by a few days with out it, but at least I can make a cup of coffee and chew on a couple pieces of gum while I sort out whatever situation is at hand.
George

I wonder why they make the detents? Could it be that they think it make the bezel less likely to be accidently moved? I think I'd rather have no detents.

I agree that basic and simple is better. I tend to prefer to carry items that are used all the time, rather than items that are stowed away and never touched. When in the field my gear tends to be in several places (pockets, around neck, in daypack) rather than in a common container. My non-field EDC is more compact - kept in a ziplock bag in a pocket of my "man bag".

One thing that isn't discussed here too much (maybe?) is the need for shelter. I tend to think that in a remote area a lack of shelter - leading to hypothermia - is a real big danger. My EDC most days has some large 55 gallon trash bags. When out in the woods camping or on hikes I bring my bivy poncho instead.

Also, mostly for your amusement, here is a list of the Boy Scout Outdoor Essentials. You may have seen it. I myself really like this list.

SCOUT OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS
Pocketknife
First aid kit
Extra clothing
Rain gear
Water bottle
Flashlight
Trail food
Matches & Firestarters
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, lip balm)
Compass & Map

PLUS
Whistle
Insect repellant, when appropriate
Large trash bag
Toilet Paper, partial roll in plastic bag
Pencil & Notepad
50' paracord or 1/8" polycord

The main list matches your almost item-for-item.

Gucci makes survival gadgets?! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Where can I get them?

Just the thing to impress the guys in the office. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> NOT. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig