I had the same impression, I don't think there was very much research or thought put into it.

Consumer Reports is good on things like microwaves and TVs, decent on cars. I've seen their computer reviews and either cringed in horror or laughed at the ignorance. Guess they don't know about emergency preps, either.

I suspected that the survey was largely a fiction and thought the list was a bit unbalanced. But none of that matters. It can be used as a starting point for discussion, exploration of the issues and concepts.

I read it just like Russ did and understood the list is what people who thought they were ready actually had instead of the full list.

Obviously people have stuff that is easy to have and which is unlikely to be used except under certain conditions. Apparently some things just get taken for granted too.

I am quite frankly surprised that as many people had a FAK as the survey says and I wonder what a FAK had to be to qualify. I don't think a bottle of iodine, 2 aspirins and 3 bandaids is a FAK but my aunt does.

An FAK can run the gamut from a few band-aids to a full up EMT kit. Only the EMT knows that he isn't ready for everything.

Yeah, it seems like an odd list, and no doubt it could have been better. But: in a survey you can only ask a handful of questions.

(BTW: I assume CR actually did the survey, or at least referred to a decent one; they're a pretty credible outfit, in my experience; they're definitely on my go-to list when I'm car shopping.)

So standing back from it: are some/all of these questions credible as "diagnostic points" -- the tip of the iceberg that gives an indication of what's below the surface? Does it suggest people are starting to think about this subject even a little?

I think people are considering BoB's, BoL's, etc. The "marketing efforts" being used to push FEAR in regards to 2012 is driving a lot of the interest. That's MY OPINION.

I seem to recall some pretty good sales (in stores and garages) after Y2K. A deadline is a motivator. Though how to keep people on track after the deadline has passed ... still working on that. And for those who buy in to 2012 in a serious way, they will mostly be stocking champagne and personal lube, don't you think?

like the others seem to say, interesting list. I'd have tossed out the thermometer, masks and electrylyte drinks, but that's just me.