OK, I've been lurking for some time and doing a lot of reading on the subject of being prepared for wilderness activities. I've put together a list of equipment, most of which I've yet to purchase, which I'd like to submit to the forum for review and feedback.

Background:

Location: Western Washington. Will be taking day hikes in state/national parks, mostly below the treeline and only 3 seasons (no winter hiking).

Knowledge: Some knowledge of basic outdoor skills from prior military field experience. Good knowledge of first aid. Weak knowledge of knot tying and less obvious plant food sources in my area.

Plan to attend a wilderness school or seminars in the area, so if anyone knows of a reputable local provider, that info would be appreciated. Also plan to re-certify on CPR and to take a Wilderness First Aid course. When time and funds permit, plan to take a Wilderness First Responder course as well.

Equipment List:

Clothing:

Hat, SPF rated outer clothing over moisture wicking inner layer, gortex boots, Columbia stuffable wind jacket.
Zipper pulls replaced with small braided paracord pulls (guessing each one will come to about a foot of paracord length)

Carried in Hand:

5' long Hickory Field and Stream Hiking Staff.
Paracord wrap near top. Probably 6-10 feet of cord, haven't wrapped it yet.

Carried On person:

On a Paracord key fob using a screwdown type link:
- Photon II white LED white
- Fox 40 Micro Whistle
- Lansky Sharpener
- LightMyFire Mini Firesteel
- Aluminum tube w/WetFire Tinder

Normal Key Fob
- Keys =)
- Coast LED flashlight
- Shorter Paracord fob

Lockblade Knife, plain edge, 3-3.5"
- Considering Options/budget on this one, currently using Benchmade Pika
- Will probably get a Ritter Griptilian if budget permits

Blaze Orange Bandana

Inhaler
Nasonex (prescription - can survive w/out it but would rather not grin )

Cell Phone

Watch (usually stuffed in a pocket, hate wearing them)

3.5" Rite in the Rain Pad
Fisher Space Pen
Golf Pencil (backup)

Sunnto M3D Leader Compass
USGS Topo Map, water protected (laminated or bagged)

US GI Poncho (in cargo pocket)
AMK Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy, packed flat if possible, if not possible, then Space All-Weather Emergency blanket

REI Day Pack First Aid Kit (in other cargo pocket)
- Add more knuckle and butterfly bandages
- Add triangle bandage
-Add non-latex exam gloves
- Add some Leukotape blister tape

In a water proof bag:
-Small bottle of Hand Sanitizer
-Small bottle of Ben's Insect Repellent (95% Deet)
-Mini Roll of Biodegradeable TP
-Small roll of duct tape
-Some Katadyn Micropur water purification tablets (4-6)

Carried in Maxpedition 10x4 Water Bottle Holder:
- Braided paracord shoulder strap
- 32oz Nalgene Water Bottle
- Metal cup nested w/Water Bottle (from Campmor)
- Victorinox Spirit Plus multitool w/out ratchet set
- Starflash or Rescue Flash Signal Mirror
- Fox 40 Classic (full sized) Whistle (redundant but tiny)
- LED Mini Maglite
- Spare batteries
- Butane Lighter (Undecided on model)
- Spark-Lite Firestarter Kit
+ some WetFire tinder
- Katadyn Micropur water purification Tabs
-1liter Aqua Pack bag (x2; three total)
- Titanium Spork
-Survival Resources Emergency Fishing Kit with a few extra hooks added
-Enough Snare Wire to set three or four Squirrel Poles
-Small Ace type bandage
-Blister Kit: Plastic tube of Tincture of Benzoin wrapped with Leukotape blister tape
- 2 oz Tube of REI SPF 50 Sunblock
- Plastic Tube with OTC pain, allergy, antihistamine pills and aspirin, labeled w/ expiration dates
- Plastic Tube of Tincture of Iodine
- OTC Nasal Spray bottle (sanitary saline for flushing wounds)
- 1 oz Tube of Triple Biotic ointment w/pain reliever
- Water proof bag with additional bandages and gauze supplies for larger wounds
- Non-Latex Exam gloves
- SAM splint (if it fits)
- CPR Mask (if it fits)
-Mini Roll of Biodegradeable TP
-Small roll of duct tape
-550 Para Cord
-Plastic tube(s) with rice and bullion cubes
- A couple of Cliff bars or similar high calorie/carb bars
- Outdoor Knot Cards
- Fishing Knot Cards (to occupy my mind and b/c I'm not great with remember knots!)
- Spare wool socks (if they fit, else smashed in a pocket somewhere)
- AA Battery Cell Phone charger


Benchmade Fixed Bladed (plain edged) Griptilian hooked on outside of bottle holder.

Opposite side and front has the capability of adding small pouches to expand the unit's capacity. Considering moving the

first aid supplies to one of them so they're quicker access, and so the interior isn't as crowded.

Notes:

I opted not to carry food procurement items on my person, due to the rule of 3 priorities and the short duration of my outings. Also, in regards to food procurement, I've decided to focus on fishing and on primarily squirrel poles for snaring, as squirrels are abundant here and these are the easiest and fastest to set up.

Since I don't have the containers, I'm not sure about the capacities on everything, but this stuff is all pretty lightweight and packable. As noted above, the water bottle carrier can be expanded with add on pouches.

I may initially opt for a Bic lighter instead of a butane due to cost.

I'm thinking of toting three of the water bags in case I have to use them for transpiration or cannibalize the plastic for other uses. They're a bit small for transpiration bags, but with three hung, may get better results. Chances are, water won't be an issue in most locations I'll be hiking, though.