A 4D Mag-Lite is harder to conceal in my purse though it would make a better improvised club.

Jeanette Isabelle

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I like to keep a ziplock bag on the top of my rigid container. Partly to have means of carrying water, and partly to have something to empty the tin into if I need the item at the bottom.

The nice thing about it is that you can mount a rather large bayonet to it..... Good for jousting...<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I know I am posting late on this, but, I wanted to put in my .02
One thing that I hardly ever see mentioned in a kit is a visual signaling device, such as something brightly colored. I am part of a search & rescue team, and you;d be amazed at what people wear into the woods. No one ever carries a cheap, walmart hunting vest. It costs all of $5 or so, you can put it into a pocket, and, the hunter orange can be seen alot easier than a green gore-tex jacket.
As far as what you carry; you're only as good as the knowledge you posess. I know its been stressed numerous times, but, you can carry whatever you like; if you dont know how to use something, it serves no purpose. I live in New England, and, theoretically, I am only a day or two's walk from civilization in any direction. So, my priorities would most likely be shelter, and possible a fire (barring any medical emergency). Now, in N.E, the easiest shelter to build would be a debris shelter. We are rife with large boulders to build one next to. Again, practicing building one, will make it easier when you HAVE to do it.
As far as fire goes; the hardest time I ever had building one was with the bow technique. It took the better part of an hour. But, I know I can do it, if needed. Anyone can light a fire with a lighter; to build one with an alternative method requires practice, & patience. Something you want to practice, again, BEFORE you're in that situation.
Closing, I always have a 34 hour pack in my jeep, in the event of a call up. I am in the woods alot hiking, geocaching, and whatnot, and still carry the essentials with me. As soon as I get my new cam, I'll post up pics of what I usually carry.

Good point! I currently carry about 20' of yellow "DANGER" ribbon in my PSK - figure I'll spread it out or hang from tree or festoon my head with it if I want to attract attention! Takes up very little space.

I've been watching this thread, and debating on pointing out a critical flaw in your arguement.

A PSK is commonly accepted as being a POCKET Survival Kit. Something little, like the DR PSP, or an altoids tin kit. Such a kit is designed to back up everything else. But you talk like it is a bug out bag or a vehicle kit; those are designed to carry you with pretty much zero outside support for several days. But a PSK? Nah, that's there if you loose everything else, and it basically to get you through a day or two, particularly in rougher climates or if you are hurt. The most food that would be in most PSKs is a starburst or a tea bag or a bullion cube, if the builder feels they need it.

Semantics and terminology do matter. And a PSK is a very personal thing, that why I think you should build or at least customize your own.

The AMK Heatsheet is rescue orange and much larger than a hunting vest (hunters orange).

I wasnt even aware of this product. Just read everyone's review on it & am picking one up this week. Thanks!

All depends on how big the tear is, and how much of your insulation is from the pants. A draft in town in good weather might be embarrasing, but in the woods in really cold weather, it might be the equivelent of stucking ice in your pocket. And there are some nice big blood vessels that are full of warmth there. And frost bite to the inside of your thigh or to the urinary tract just sounds so bad.

Your clothing is part of a hostile enviroment suit. Not a space suit, besides, space kills you pretty quickly and gets it over with. Space is nice that way. Cold air, cold air is evil.