Some people ( Doug, for instance) seperate gear into 'functionality' groupings;

signaling,
emergency devices ( tools),
medical,
water & food,
misc. & multipurpose.

I'd like to suggest a sixth grouping --information -- to include everything from phone numbers, maps, first aid books, useful frequencies, bus schedules, tide charts, contents listings ( with expiration dates) etc.


Teacher

Your forgetting Personal Protection/Shelter

Great point. I consider any day that I learn something to be a good day.

Absolutely. I wouldn't think of a long term bug in without things like my PocketRef and Pocket Handyman, Where there is no Doctor, and all the others. Even for kits made with mobility in mind, I think you're right, we should have another catagory. Most of us have something in there, but we just consider it Miscellanious.

In my shelter plan, I have positions for the following: Ops Officer, Communications/Intel officer; Medical Officer, Engineering Officer, Food Services Officer, Supply Officer, Weapons Officer, Education Officer (includes all levels/ages), Morale Officer! I use the basic organization of a warship since that is my experience base.

or if youre from California (like me):

Ops Dude, Comm Guy, Medical Dude, Munchies Man ...

Good thought, I've been thinking along the same lines for awhile myself. A PDA with several extra 1GB memory cards could carry a lot of valuable info with very little weight or space cost if someone comes up with a way to recharge the battery with no access to a household or 12v power source.

Done! Just do a search for "PDA Solar Chargers". They even have PDA cases that double as solar chargers.

Even 4GB SD cards are quite cheap now.

tho I like paper -- small books and essential papers in waterproof zips...