Hi everyone.

I've been enjoying and actively participating in these forums for the last few months. I've learned a fairly large amount of new things, not necessarily taking everything for granted, but choosing the most useful tips for my situations.

My personal definition of being prepared is not necessarily what everyone refers to. For me, being prepared means having the most useful tools possible when I need them, trying to keep a good balance in regards to weight, size and carrying issues.

I've purchased new goodies for my PSKs, but as i'm looking at all those items in front of me, on the kitchen table, I am having a hard time deciding which items belong in which kits... I have three empty camera pouches that could serve as containers, but i'm also questioning their value since i'm starting to think that metal cans would be better, at least for outdoor situations. And there's the Lock & Lock containers that I used to like, but they can not boil water or be carried easily (no lanyard/strap/loop).

Rethinking all of this can be an energy-draining process. I hope I will be able to clear things up a bit. I'm sure there are a lot of you in my situation.

To be continued... :-)

Will we get to see some pictures as you progress?

<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm taking a slightly different approach.
Over the last 2 weeks, I have started making a list on my PDA as I go through all my gear of what Ive got. When Ive finished Im going to rearange everything into freshly designed kits, do any repairs/ maintainence and cleaning required and replace dated medical items etc.
I have planned to do this in the week between Christmas and New Years Day as I cant get to spend Christmas with my family. (cant travel because of other comitments)
That way everything is all together and I've planned everything out on paper (computer screen actually) So I will have only 1 week during which all or some of my gear wont be fully ready to go. (But a month to think about it before hand)

But as things never go to plan <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I figure I will be finished just before December 2006 <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My BOB is also my daypack for hiking and my cat's scratching post/ sleeping platform ( german army daypack in tough olive canvas.) last time I went bird watching this lady suffered a nasty fall and very messy multiple cuts , contusions, abrasions and all those other medical terms for 'ouchies.' Aside from a few bandaids and sample size messy ointments I was the only person with anything approaching a serious first aid kit. I pulled out my 9x9 tarp, spread it on the ground and DUMPED the rucksack contents. Then after quick rummaging ( elation, THERES my missing Pink Floyd CD <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) I had the needed items. Back into the ruck everything got dumped and we rigged a temporary shelter with the now bare tarp until the Park Rangers could drive up and bring her down. A few people looked at me wondering what my bathroom must look like <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />). Settng up kits is fun, having the junk,er gear on hand is funner.

Perfection is the enemy of the good. -- Gustave Flaubert

Congratulations!

You’re actually doing it. How many out there are just thinking about putting a kit together (I procrastinated for a long time). They’ll join the “shouda-couda-wouda Club” when they really need their kit, but it’s still just a figment of their imagination …

Don’t worry about getting everything right on the first try. A partial kit is better that none at all. As you read more, and put your kit to the test (perhaps), you will add stuff, change this, ditch that …

Don’t see it as an energy-draining process, but rather a necessary exercise and a learning process.

Great story, Chris. So, what does your bathroom look like? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hey! Maybe that's a new thread topic--you're taking a shower when a tornado suddenly takes out your whole house and sucks away all your possessions except for the contents of your bathroom. What would you left have to survive on? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Excellent, a new category of kit--the Bathroom Survival Kit (aka BSK). Heaven knows many of us spend a significant portion of our lives in there. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Don't try to add a bunch of tools at once. Add slowly to your kits and with each tool spend time thinking of how you will use it and how it fits into your kit. As you add little by little you become more familiar with the tools and better prepared to use them.

I agree. I try and have a good amount of play time when I get something new, then some serious thoughts about its good and bad points etc, and how it will work in conjuntion with other items before adding it to any kit.

My place looks like a combination of professor Dumbledor's office, A Mongolian yurt , Rick's in Casablanca and Le Hermitage in Moscow. I use a straight razor, so I ALWAYS have a blade on me <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.