I've been working on a belt-pack/vest/cargo-pockets size emergency preparedness PSK for a while and would like some critical input on these item; stuff you like, stuff your don't like, what I may still need to add or what to remove. All the categories are packaged flat in 6 mil zip locks (so nothing will blow-away when the bag is opened). All the meds are the small 2 tablet pre-packaged type that you see in quickstops.

Individual Emergency Preparedness, Belt-Pack Size Kit.
Working Draft May 4rd, 2006

First Aid Group: within 1 plastic Case
Small First Aid Kit 33 piece
2 ex strength non aspirin tablets
2 ibuprofen tablets
2 Aspirin tablets
3 Antiseptic cleaning wipes
3 Alcohol cleansing pads
6 ¾” x 3” adhesive bandages
10 3/8 x 1~1/2 junior bandages
1 1~1/2” square patch bandage
Butterfly wound closure
1 First Aid Guide

Added to First Aid group
14 Iosat Tablets
4 Hand Cleaners
2 N95 Particulate Respirators
4 Antimicrobial Wipes
2 Blistex .5 gr
2 PDI Sting Relief
4 25 mg Antihistamine
4 anti acid tablets
4 electrolyte tablets
4 anti diarrheal tablets
Small bottle, Purell hand sanitizer.

Sleep/Warmth Weather Group:
Heat Sheet
Poncho

Fire Starter & Light Group:
Simple 1/8" Flint Rod
(Steel blade on Leatherman P4)
6 Wax/Cotton w/Magnesium fire starters
2 Tea Candle
2 Light Sticks
Micro Light, Extra Lithium batteries

Water/Purification/Food Group:
Potable Aqua Tablets for 6 Quarts
2, 4.2oz Bags of Water
Two 16oz containers
1 Tin Foil mini loaf pan
12 x 12” tin foil
1 large clear oven bag
5’ Aquarium hose
1 High Protein Cracker & Spread, (or 3600 cal food bar)
Hard Candy,
Cocoa, Coffee

Communication/ Direction Finding:
Small Whistle w/lanyard
Surveyors Flagging
Silva Trekker Compass w/ mirror in lid
AM/FM SW Radio w/extra lithium batteries


Tool/Hardware/Group:
Leatherman P4
10' Coated Stainless Wire
30' Nylon String
50' Kevlar string
50’ paracord
Bottle contents:
Exterior, Duct Tape 36”
Interior:
4 Fishing hooks
2 Snap swivels
5 split shot
2 Sewing needles
4 Safety Pins

Personal Group:
TP, Hand Sanitizer
Bandana
Bug Repellent
Lip Balm

=============================================
*Users personalize kit with:

Personal medications
Water,
Seasonal clothing
Cell Phone,
Maps, GPS Unit, w/
Dynamo or Solar Charger/
Rechargeable Batteries,
Regional map
Personal ID Drivers License,
Passport, Birth Certificate,
Cash small valuables
Self Defense Tools


This kit weighs less than 5 pounds and easily fits in a medium sized fanny pack or a vest. It cost under $100 to put together, including the fanny pack. Sixty dollars of that $100 was the expense for the Mini Grundig Radio, Leatherman P4 and the Silva compass. The following image shows how I have the groups packaged flat.

I think you should add:

A head-net, sunscreen, wind/waterproof matches, sewing kit, gloves, sharpening stone and medical dressings (triangulair/ trauma).
Replace the tea candles with a pink-lady or other emergency candle.
More water-purifying tabs (MP-1 / mircopur)

In reply to:
4 Fishing hooks
2 Snap swivels
5 split shot
2 Sewing needles
4 Safety Pins

Is there also fishing line? I didn't saw it in the list.



Can you get a LED-headlight in there?

Where did you get the peanut butter packs?

The Peanut butter is from MREs. When I was attempting to teach my wife how good MREs were, I had a candlelight dinner with steaming MREs on the table when she got home form work. She just shook her head.... we dined and there were some leftovers. She liked it.

Yes, there's room for a headnet but why if you have bug repellent? I forgot to add sunscreen, thanks. I have sewing thread (Kevlar) and needles and monofilament (forgot to list the latter). I don't need matches; if I wanted redundancy to the firestarting group, I would add another flint.

Sharpening stone...check. More Iodine, Check!
Tea candles are a much better choice IMHO. They burn three and a half hourseach, they sit anywhere and with a metal cup.

A headnet could be used for all sorts of things, like a fishing net, water -filter, snow melting, equipment-bag, etc.

An added benefit of the bug net is sleeping at night. Even with bug spray, those little terrors execute pyschological warfare on you by flying close to your ears and keeping you awake. With a head net and ear plugs, you can get a good night's sleep (relatively speaking) in an buggy area.

Garrett

A good kit. Some thoughts:

1. more water purification pills
2. drop the chem lights in favor of other light source
3. add a fleece hat and fleece jacket ( tied on top) --even in the Summer nights get cold
4. sunglasses/ ball cap for sun protection
5. Drop the paracord in favor of 50# fishing line
6. can you fins a metal cup which fits on the bottom of one of your water bottles?

TRO

( Yep. I said it. Don't carry paracord.)

How are you storing the Potable-Aqua?

I agree more tablets are necessary (or switching to another type). Glass vials with teflon seals are required to keep these tablets from decomposing.

I also think you should add matches in a waterproof case...or a disposable lighter. As Chris has pointed out many times having a familiar firestarting method for others to use to assist you can be a very good idea. Not everyone is familiar with a firesteel.

Otherwise this looks like a nice kit.

What are Iosat tablets?