As noted, you really want to think about the situations you are trying to prepare for and work from there.

I live in a suburban area, but work about 25 miles away in a downtown high-rise in earthquake country.

This is my EDC urban kit:

EDC Kit

Actually, I suppose I've made a few adjustments, but the kit is largely the same.

Obviously, you are interested in a much more streamlined kit. From that perspective, I'd try to keep it simple.

- Always have a good knife on your person.
- Always have light.
- Always have sensible shoes and clothes.
- Water.
- Water.
- Flat dust masks.
- Always have a means to make fire.

In reality, just these few items probably could serve you pretty well.

When thinking to expand, consider:

- Trauma bandage.
- Small roll duct tape.
- Small radio.
- Cell phone.
- Cord.
- Navigation assistance (map or GPS) if it makes sense.
- Gloves.

Extra credit:

- Small pry bar.

Remember dehydration is an enemy. Water is your friend. Also, a little fuel (food) can help keep your body moving. A Snickers bar or two in your bag might help you on the top of the curve.

If you are trying to keep this lean, remember high speed, low drag. What do you need to keep moving.

Then, think through what-if situations. Consider what you've picked. Consider the pros and cons. Would something else work better than a particular item?

Keep honing the list. Note the situations your gear doesn't help you.

Post the situation and list here for feedback. I did a lot of thinking about my first aid kit for example, then posted here. I got a lot of good feedback that helped me further refine the kit.

-john


Given what I can see of your list, I'd consider adding:

- Knife
- Trauma bandage
- Duct tape
- Couple of snacks
- Couple of fold flat dust masks
- Pair of well fitting leather gloves

I assume you also have a fully-charged cell phone and have your essential meds in the first aid kit. Most women I know keep everything (and I do mean everything) in their purse, which means if you get robbed you wind up with nothing. So I would suggest thinking about how you could carry some items separate from your purse, such as:

• The aforementioned or a separate flashlight
• A whistle
• Emergency cash and Debit Card
• Copy of ID
• Emergency contacts

Maybe you've considered these and dismissed them, but some other items to think about:

• Small mace/pepper spray (if legal)
• Swiss Army Executive knife (usually permitted where a larger knife won't)
• A card with some needles, thread and safety pins.
• A feminine napkin (can also be used as an improvised trauma pad).
• An energy bar, granola bar, Clif bar or similar.
• Chewing gum, breath mints or hard candy.
• Emergency poncho (the kind that folds-up real small take up almost no room)
• Flat-folding N95 mask
• Wet-Naps (good for more than washing your hands)
• Small notepad and pen/pencil
• Spare contacts/glasses

I'd also carry a small subway/street map because I'm not that familiar with most of the city.

I'm thinking scenarios like being stuck on an elevator or in the subway, or hit by an unexpectedly severe storm.

I have the following on me rather than in my purse:

Jeanette Isabelle

I assemebled a Pocket Urban Survival Kit before, from a 2oz tin, but I found it too bulky to carry everyday. It had duct tape, a swiss army classic, waterproof paper and penicl, mini bic, intant cloth pills, B12 vitamins, matches, purification tablets, water bag, whistle, foil, P-38, and razor blades.

Instead, I have a AMK Adventure First Aid 1.0 with,
Water purification tablets
Aluminum foil
Sewing kit
Safety pins
Water bag
Instant cloth pills
Along with assorted first aid items for treating minor injuries.

Survival Keychain,
House key
Pill fob with cotton tinder
Slim Rescue Howler
Streamlight Nano Light
P-38 can opener

In my jacket,
Gerber STL 2.0
Red Bic Mini (removed safety)
Duct tape (wrapped around cut down pen tube)
25ft of Paracord
AMK Heatsheets blanket

I figure these items, though not in a single survival kit, make a good urban/suburban system.

Hope this helps somewhat!

Nice Topaz. I'm just wondering why you would remove the safety.

Sorry, Topaz. I completely forgot how a Bic lighter worked pre-child resistant--always on.

I frequently see paracord in USK's. I have 50' of it in my USK. But I wonder what practical benefits paracord provides versus smaller 1/8" cord. Another thread (no pun intended) already dismissed its usefulness for climbing, rappeling or abseiling. I cannot envision needing to build a raft or a substantial shelter in an urban environment. It would seem to me that an equal length of 1/8" cord would be just as practical while taking up half the space.

In what urban situations do you envision where paracord would be necessary versus 1/8" cord?

Because paracord is really 8 stranded [cover plus 7 internal strands] it just gives you more options. You can use all or any of the strands to get the strength or diameter you think best.

Mark_M:

I haven't thought about 1/8" cord vs paracord--I just happened to have the paracord.

I'm thinking in general terms--making a belt of sorts if I need one or a shoulder strap. In a building collapse you often have stuck doors--very hard to pull the doorknob, and only one person at a time can try it. Maybe you could wrap the cord around the knob and a few people could pull at the same time. You could hold bandages in place. Might give you some leverage if you're climbing over things and need to latch on. Could wrap it around head to make an eyepatch. I think there are a lot of unintended uses that any good cord could handle.

I don't envision sewing with its innards or using as dental floss...although the dental floss aspect might actually help if you have a mouthful of dirt.

If you want to have fun, start a thread on survival uses of paracord!