Hey everyone. I've been to this site many times before but this is my first posting. As you can probably guess from my username, I am in the US Coast Guard. When I'm not out at sea, I like to camp and hike. Being in the Coast Guard, let's say that I have a natural inclination towards preparedness, readiness and emergencies. That being said, I have quite a loaded and long question that I would really appreciate some feedback on.

Below is the survival kit that I have been constructing (a very long process as I am sure most of you know) to take with me when I engage in outdoor activities on land. Question #1 - any suggestions on this kit?

-----Personal Survival Kit-------
stored in an Otterbox 1000
sealed with
10 ft 550 paracord
3 ft electrical tape

---Signaling---
Fox 40 Whistle
2x3 Rescue Flash signal mirror

---Fire Starters---
10 waterproofed strike anywhere matches
re-light birthday candle
spark lite
5 quicktab tinders

---First Aid---
2 tubes antibiotic
6 butterfly sutures
2 alcohol pads
2x2 gauze pad
2 1x3 adhesive bandages
1 2x3 adhesive bandage

---Emergency Devices---
razor blade
scalpel blade (#22)
hacksaw blade (18 tpi)
fishing kit
5 sinkers
1 extra large hook
5 small hooks
5 med hooks
5 snap swivels
50 ft 20 lb test fishing line
photon micro light
compass (20mm)
small vial with 25 Potable Aqua tablets


---Multi Purpose---
3 sq ft HD aluminum foil
P-38 can opener
26 in duct tape
6 ft steel wire (0.020)
"commando" wire saw
3 twist ties
1 large needle/awl
1 medium needle
15 ft HD nylon thread
2 Gerber bags
10 ft nylon line
safety pins
2 large
2 med
2 small

So now the heart of my post. I want to make a PSK for when I am at sea. What would one recommend to put into a PSK for shipboard use? Do you think that the emphasis should be on signalling/fishing/desalinating? Should I scrap things that would be of little use stuck adrift in the middle of the ocean (i.e. so many firestarters). What could I transfer from my "overland" kit into my "afloat" kit whenever I go to sea?

I'm basically looking for an EDC while on a ship that would save my hide should I get knocked/fall overboard or shipwrecked that would include a small PSK (that would fit in BDU pockets - leg or chest) and some additional tools (knives, multitools, etc) that would be especially prudent for a CoastGuardsman to have (to help himself and others)

Wow, that was really long, sorry if I tried to cover too much in one post. They give us a little survival at sea training and I have decent landbased survival knowledge, yet the quality of signalling and survival equipment that is provided in the pockets of PFDs or issued isn't up to my standards and I was wanting to supplement everything I know and am issued with some simple, redundant, Murphy proof key tools that I can easily have on hand. Thanks