I have to support taboylan on this discussion. I used to have a large PSK jammed with everything from glue sticks, tools, and fishing gear to bullioun cubes and seasoning packets. I refer to it now as my "Batman" kit. To be honest, a lot of what I carried was there in case I got the chance to be a hero. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Since most of my time is spent in urban environments with readily available stuff to be scrounged I rethought my kit. It's purpose now is to:

1. take care of minor boo-boos (band-aids, antibiotic creams, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, anti-diarrhea med and some Midol)

2. fix something (duct tape, dental floss, safety pins, note card with how to tie knots, disposible fingernail file, oh and it turns out I did have some sewing needles in the kit)

3. start a fire (mini-Bic, trick birthday candle)

4. signal for help (whistle)

5. eat (P-38) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

6. cut something (two razor blades)

7. see (flashlight)

All this fits in a Altoids tin. As I mentioned earlier I also carry a Leatherman, a SAK, a second flashlight, a second whistle, a second P-38, and a cell phone with a built-in flashlight. I don't consider those items as part of my kit though, only the stuff that fits inside my tin is "kit".

Of the stuff in my kit I think I could dump the nail file, Aspirin, bandaids and the P-38 without reducing my chances of making it home in an emergency situation. I mainly have the 1st aid stuff to patch up DD. The aspirin is there in case my dad has a heart attack while I'm around. Considering he lives 1200 miles away I can probably take that out. The Midol (for DW) and anti-diarrhea meds definately stay. The nailfile was included to use in making an emergency knife in case I was stranded somewhere without a knife and had several hours to kill.

As for the razor blades I'll probably dump those. If I'm somewhere where they are okay I have the SAK & Leatherman...

To summerize, my PSK is designed to take care of minor issues and help me get home in case of some emergency. I feel there are enough resources around me that I only carry a small amount of stuff while out in my urban (shopping/playground/resturant) environment. My PSK not designed to help me survive Hurricane Katrina. That stuff is in my car and a second set is in a desk drawer at work.

It all really boils down to comfort level and threat analysis. If I were in some place with a real winter I would have tinder and some sort of shelter material. If I spent a lot of time far away from home I'd definately carry more stuff. Luckily, my situation is pretty non-threatening all things considered. Taboylan's may be quite similar and so his smaller gear requirements makes perfect sense.

I'll try and post pictures soon.

-Blast

p.s. Sidenote, when I am out with DD I do carry a much larger kit. I'll try and put that up also one of these days.