It was a little underwhelming, but maybe I'm just jaded.

I was suprised and very concerned by the associate at REI. That kind of reaction is kinda scary. And I liked the use of "special" to describe a blurb on CNN. You can't be very special in four minutes, I'm sorry.

It seems to me that another important message that the article speaks to is, "don't take a knife to a gun fight." Doug's mini-kits (of which I have two) are not intended to replace a 10 essential 12 to 18 lb day pack for a difficult all day or extended outing. Sometimes I get the feeling that some "survival hobbiest" believe that their little asprin or mint tin "kit" is all they will ever need.

You mean it won't????

Personally though, I've never had my 10 essentials weigh more than about 5 lbs, and it served me just fine. Of course, it usually supplemented an already full backpack.

I live in a semi-arid to arid climate and carry the recommended 2 quarts of water; that alone weights almost 5 lbs.

Ah heck, I have a hard time walking three miles in a straight line without finding a water source and I carry three times that at a minimum. :P

Be aware that you should carry (and drink) about a quart an hour (and possibly more). This does vary somewhat according to heat and humidity and you might want to be able to carry a gallon or more of water (DON'T forget salty snacks and a light weight tarp.)

Maybe if you left the salty snacks behind you wouldn't need to drink so much water?

Yep, there are no same 10 essentials for all situations. That's why I like my version better...

http://texas.sierraclub.org/dallas/page.asp?10essentialgroups

no TP?

ha...which group would you put TP under? Tools or Communication?