I think that most PSk's have too many items, many of which are irrelevant to the typical survival situation. Most survival situations last from 3-5 days, and the main strategy should be to await rescue, assuming someone who cares knows of your whereabouts. Be prepared to administer life-saving first aid (stopping bleeding, etc.), and be able to signal your position. Food aqcuisition should not be a priority, and for me, is completely left out of my PSK, as I will not starve in 3 to 5 days, and I know I can find something edible (weeds, grubs, etc.) if I have to stave of a few hunger pangs.
The point being that a PSK is just that, not a wilderness living kit, or an ultralight camping kit. Be prepared with knowledge and ingenuity first, and leave the fishing kit and the machete and the raft making-supplies for the expedition kit.
Anyway, you should be getting the point that less is more! Be smart about what to include in your kit, but don't jeopardize your best tool, your brain, with an overwhelming assortment of stuff you won't need. A false sense of security can get you into more trouble than its worth.

Totally agree with you. When I first started making kits, i had a ton of useless stuff in them. But i changed them around and i have a wealth of knowledge now, and my kits are way better than they ever were.

Doug Ritters psk has all the essentials you need and nothing useless, at least thats the way i see it.

His kit is small, and while I wouldn't call anything useless, I don't really see a need for a sewing kit or a scalpel for that matter. If I'm going to include a knife in my PSK, it will be one that has a positive grip, so I don't cut myself when wet and cold. Anyhow, for a PSK, life-saving first aid, signalling, fire, and staying dry take precedence over any knife. Remember that most survival situations are 3-5 day waiting games, not wilderness expeditions. The idea should simply be to sit tight, stay warm and try not go nuts, while awaiting rescue. Save the hiking, fishing, rabbit hunting, navigating, and river crossing supplies for the wilderness expedition pack. A PSK should only be designed to get you back to civilization alive when an unanticipated survival situation arises. If it is bigger than just that, it might be left behind.

A survival situation by definition means a cessation of normal routine and the support mechanism of daily existence. Part of that normal routine for people assembling PSKs is a PRECONCEIVED idea of that very survival situation. It is 'comforting' to know most end in 72 hours. And for some people it plays like a script as neat as the drawings of a brush shelter; I will use the STOP acronym, build my 3 fires and debri shelter and wait for rescue. Well O.K. well and good, but you've torn your trousers badly. I suppose the horrific wieght penalty of those needles and thread makes sense as your 'credentials' are subjected to the elements. The Inuit say the two most important survival items are a knife and a sewing kit. In all the documentaries on Inuit I have yet to see one with his 'credentials' ever hanging out. PSK items by definition are the bare minimum to fullfill most POSSIBLE survival needs- no more no less. It's that less that gets people into trouble. Much is made of your best tool being your 'brain.' Yet another well known instructor has pointed out The mindset that gets people into these situations is very different from that required to get out of them. I'd rather shlep my horribly heavy twin tins around and never use 90% of the kit in a wreck than stand there like an idiot with my knife while those 'credentials' suffer frostbite.The unforeseen use of my knife then is to horrible to discuss in this family friendly forum. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You beat me to it... I was going to respond that a needle, thread and scalpel blade take virtually no space and add so little weight as to be nearly impossible to detect. Why NOT take them with you?

That logic fails IMO

Too many items? When I decided on a size I'd be willing to carry around, my goal from there on is not to get it as empty as possible, but to get it as _full_ as possible, so long as the basics are covered. Sure, there are quite a few things in my tin that I may not need, that may be considered luxury items. A few fishing parts, some safety pins, and so forth... but so what? Many of these items take up almost no room and just about all of them would be difficult to make a field expedient substitute for if I did find myself in need of them.

Having a kit with tons of items in it does not imply that one is lacking in the knowledge department, nor does having a spartan kit imply someone is skilled enough that he or she does not need anything more.

There is a time when your PSK is packed with too many items: when you're not willing to carry it.
Other than that, more power to you if you can squeeze something else in there that might prove useful, so long as you have the basics covered.

In conceiving and advising regarding PSKs over the years I've had some guiding questions/principles:
- what is my size and weight optimum for assured carry?
- what will aid rescue?
- include everything (at my 'weight point') needed to assist survival
- include nothing not needed to assist survival
- stress items for which there is little hope of field expedient

Your reference to the Inuit is germane. When thinking survival I have asked myself, "What were the first items that Indigenous Peoples traded for when Europeans arrived?" This gives some clear direction about items one might need/want when living on your own shank. Knife and needles were some of the first items. Hard to make good ones in the boonies! Big and little needles and two sizes of thread are in my kit. May need a suture! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As was pointed out before suturing in the field may not be a good idea. Better use wound closure strips or Crazy glue.
See the What's the best size suture for a PSK FAK thread

My PSK is not strictly a survival kit per se, it is also a "wilderness utility kit". I totally agree with your original post, and if survival is your only goal, you can go with a lot less items in favor of bleeding first aid, etc.

However, my kit has zip-ties, a small pencil and paper, some duct tape, paracord... sometimes the line between a pure "PSK" and a PSK-utility kit hybrid is difficult to draw. But what I wanted in my kit in the first place, were some utility items and things for those situations where you go "gee... I wish I had a bit of ______ handy".

That makes perfect sense--for your situation, not mine. For example, where I hunt there are innumerable small lakes and ponds that are sometimes teeming with smallish trout. It would be foolish of me not to include some small way of taking advantage of that. I don't know, maybe carrying a machete makes perfect sense in the Everglades. Maybe somebody living in the bayou might need to make a raft, who knows? Once size fits all just doesn't work in a country--and world--as vast and diverse as this.

I have two different PSKs, one for urban environments and the second for my wilderness trips. The urban kit contains things like a lighter, whistle, safety pins, sewing needles, dental floss, bandaids, some meds, duct tape and a flashlight. It does not contain anything to eat or purify water. Separate from this urban kit I always carry a leatherman (wave or kick), SAK Traveller, and on my keychain is a whistle, LED flashlight and a P-38. This kit is designed to a) take care of small "emergencies" such as fixing a tear in DD's goody bag, or a minor burn and b)help me make it home if something happens while I'm away from the house. I'm not too concerned about finding water in this urban/suburban environment.

My wilderness kit is only slightly larger. It contains things like a spare compass, three different fire-starters (storm matches, bic lighter and mag bar), a Heatsheet, some rope, signal mirror, water purification tabs, another whistle and a small Gerber lockback knife. This PSK is designed for me to shelter myself and signal for help in case I get lost/hurt in the woods.

Currently I carry a separate, large first aid kit in my wilderness backpack but no 1st aid stuff in my wilderness PSK. This thread is making me rethink that though. I might add a roll of guaze and some sewing needles (not to suture but to patch torn clothes).

-Blast

p.s. I should also mention that both our cars have BOBs which include clothing, shelter, water, tools, data, etc...

I had a commander one time who thought he was pretty tough. One day he managed to slice himself pretty good, and had apparently just seen Rambo, 'cuz he decided to stich himself up. Got halfway thru the first stitch and decided that Rambo is a lot tougher than than he looks, so off to the ER he went. He sait that sticking a needle in already inflamed flesh HURTS!!!

And then there is that infection thing, which of course he never thought about...

Expired suture-kits do make great sewing kit's!

My PSK is designed to get me home. I'll be buggin in unless my home is toast.
Other than my EDC I keep my PSK in the back of my Jeep. Even at work I'm never too far from it and as long as I can keep it moving I'll make it home. If for some reason I have to spend a few days/nights in the process I'm slowly getting prepared.
One of the bigest faults that I have is keeping too much in it. If I need to carry it I want to weight around 25-30 pounds max.

"Most survival situations last from 3 to 5 days".
Five days without food? Not if I can help it. And what happens if the situation goes beyond the 5 day mark?

My survival kit is tailored to do two things:
1) Stabilise the immediate situation. Thus giving me time to think, plan, reconnotre the surrounding area.
2) Provide me with tool's that maximise my ability to return.
Many people assume that they will be rescued in 1 to 5 days. Perhaps they will be, or perhaps not. How long will they search for you? Will you be written off as missing, presumed lost? Will conditions allow for a search?
I decided a long time ago that I would use the first 24hrs to provide myself with shelter etc. After that I start looking for food and materials in earnest. The quicker you start, the greater chance you have of keeping body and soul together.

In the event that I foresee myself traveling in country such as the Inuit do, where a persons clothes must remain intact to avoid freezing while moving about (on the hunt perhaps), I will add a strong needle and a length of strong thread (in case I must leave the shelter, thus exposing myself to the freezing arctic winds). My response may sound a bit sarcastic, and it may in fact be, but still, just because the Inuit may highly value a sewing kit, doesn't mean that they sleep in their clothes. I learned early on that a shelter is the first priority in a survival situation, not being able to fight the artic winds on my way to the nearest town. But then again, different people foresee different scenarios. I'm not saying you shouldn't carry a sewing kit or a sewing machine for that matter, but I won't, only because I don't foresee needing one, not in a PSK, regardless of the minimal bulk and weight. Why not carry a toothpick? They weight next to nothing and might come in handy too! Oh, and what about a bit of wire and steel wool in case you decide to use your flashlight batteries to start a fire. Why use a lighter when in a survival situation you can really justify using all the tricks of the fire-making trade. After all, those items weigh very little and even the wool can be compressed so it doesn't take up much space. Wow, and how about a single .22LR bullet (the gunpowder can be used to start a fire), and a magnifying glass too! What about a few coins so that you can make a phone call, or a calling card for that matter, both of which take up very little space.
Anyways, my PSK is very small, I don't even know I'm carrying it because it isn't any bigger than what I absolutely need. Less is more. By the way, I enjoyed reading all your responses, and I'm not knocking any of you. Autonomy is a great thing, but I can't justify accessorizing my PSK to personally fanciful tastes, at least not in theory.

I didn't say I wouldn't eat, just that I wouldn't need a feast to see me trough 5 days awaiting rescue. I can SURVIVE on herbs, pine needles, worms, crickets, etc. for 5 days. Now if I could catch a fish with something other than my shirt, I would be LIVING not surviving wouldn't I?
I'm just saying a PSK is just that, nothing but a PSK. My fishing gear goes in my wilderness expedition kit, which I consequently don't take with me on planes.

So let's see your kit.
Show us your goods and let the forum have an opportunity to critique it. Your tone suggests that think you know more than some here; prove it by showing a useful and thought out kit with quality tools. Or you are trolling? You points seem more argumentative than constuctive.

The Inuit don't differentiate daily life from survival as we do. Their sewing kits are a part of every day life for them, as are all of their belongings, and all of their belongings are necessary to their survival.
Oh, and when you travel by plane, do you leave your entire PSK behind or just your knife. There's a little legality issue there. But it does illustrate how our lives are very seldom reliant upon survival items, and even less reliant on arctic survival items, so I don't quite follow the logic of your Inuit parallel. And besides, unless you are wearing clothes comparable to what the Inuit are wearing (very thick hair insulation surrounded by waterproof skin), your sewing kit will not help you, let alone save you.

I do know more than some, as does everyone else, including you. Argumentation may yet be discovered to be the key to knowledge (or do they call that debate in your world), so maybe you are right about me "trolling", whatever that means. But perhaps I am being constructive in that I am simply looking to interact with those who think in a similar vein as I, so to speak, or is it of your expert opinion that I am the only one, or is it simply your suggestive tone? Since when is "the forum" of one mind anyways? I have no means as of yet to upload a photo so you can critique my kit, but when I get it up, some day, I hope you will critique it. I like being critiqued. It is one of the ways I learn, as with everybody else, including you.

I did not think you were trolling. Go ahead and post the contents of your kit and add a photo later when you can.

I think I might see what you're getting at. You are right to a certain degree to question, for example, carrying steel wool in your survival kit for the purpose of starting a fire using flashlight batteries.

There are two aspects to survival: #1 Preparation and #2 Improvisation. Sometimes we get the two confused.

Ferinstance, many survival manuals show how to start a fire with a lens. Seeing this, we go and put a magnifying glass in our survival kit to be used as a "survival firestarter". This is backwards thinking - the manual shows this method because someday you may not have a trusty BIC lighter handy and will need to improvise, not because the lens is a very good method.

On the other hand, there are some items that can be so very useful in proportion to their size, weight and cost such that there is no reason not to put them in your kit. I can't imagine any kit into which I could not manage to cram one (more) sewing needle and one (more) fishhook.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what exactly is in your PSK?

I have to support taboylan on this discussion. I used to have a large PSK jammed with everything from glue sticks, tools, and fishing gear to bullioun cubes and seasoning packets. I refer to it now as my "Batman" kit. To be honest, a lot of what I carried was there in case I got the chance to be a hero. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Since most of my time is spent in urban environments with readily available stuff to be scrounged I rethought my kit. It's purpose now is to:

1. take care of minor boo-boos (band-aids, antibiotic creams, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, anti-diarrhea med and some Midol)

2. fix something (duct tape, dental floss, safety pins, note card with how to tie knots, disposible fingernail file, oh and it turns out I did have some sewing needles in the kit)

3. start a fire (mini-Bic, trick birthday candle)

4. signal for help (whistle)

5. eat (P-38) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

6. cut something (two razor blades)

7. see (flashlight)

All this fits in a Altoids tin. As I mentioned earlier I also carry a Leatherman, a SAK, a second flashlight, a second whistle, a second P-38, and a cell phone with a built-in flashlight. I don't consider those items as part of my kit though, only the stuff that fits inside my tin is "kit".

Of the stuff in my kit I think I could dump the nail file, Aspirin, bandaids and the P-38 without reducing my chances of making it home in an emergency situation. I mainly have the 1st aid stuff to patch up DD. The aspirin is there in case my dad has a heart attack while I'm around. Considering he lives 1200 miles away I can probably take that out. The Midol (for DW) and anti-diarrhea meds definately stay. The nailfile was included to use in making an emergency knife in case I was stranded somewhere without a knife and had several hours to kill.

As for the razor blades I'll probably dump those. If I'm somewhere where they are okay I have the SAK & Leatherman...

To summerize, my PSK is designed to take care of minor issues and help me get home in case of some emergency. I feel there are enough resources around me that I only carry a small amount of stuff while out in my urban (shopping/playground/resturant) environment. My PSK not designed to help me survive Hurricane Katrina. That stuff is in my car and a second set is in a desk drawer at work.

It all really boils down to comfort level and threat analysis. If I were in some place with a real winter I would have tinder and some sort of shelter material. If I spent a lot of time far away from home I'd definately carry more stuff. Luckily, my situation is pretty non-threatening all things considered. Taboylan's may be quite similar and so his smaller gear requirements makes perfect sense.

I'll try and post pictures soon.

-Blast

p.s. Sidenote, when I am out with DD I do carry a much larger kit. I'll try and put that up also one of these days.

Well, in that case...I...uh...Well, I...
Just kidding. Like previously stated, my PSK is not much, but here:
a few 4" x 4" sterile absorbent pads
waterproof medical tape or duct tape (haven't decided which is better suited for first aid, probably the first aid tape)
Signal mirror, 3" x 5", glass
large plastic bag, heavy duty (to get in in a sitting position with my head out a hole at the bottom end of the bag, or as a sleeping bag type thing with no hole)
A substantial candle, tallow (also edible though not anticipated use), for use inside the bag when sitting out extrememly cold situation
Bic lighter, red
10 tinders (Spark-Light)
Wire saw (to assist with shelter construction if needed)
water purification tablets
a few non-lubed condoms (to hold water)
Not much beyond that, if anything, for a PSK.
I know, I know, what no knife and paracord? That's right. I can legally carry my PSK on a plane, and cordage is more like a luxury item to me. I don't need a knife or cordage to survive for up to 5 days, awaiting rescue, but although not in my PSK, I usually carry a pocket knife everywhere, and if I was carrying more than my PSK, like a backpack, I would carry some paracord, and other "essential" long-term wilderness "living" items, but that is not what this thread is about.

Keep it coming.

I don't always agree with what you post. But then, I often don't agree with what many others post here either. In fact sometimes I don't seem to agree with myself, but isn't that how we learn, by getting information from a variety of sources, then making our own decisions as to what we want to do?

To me PSK is to keep me alive for 5 days while sitting tight awaiting rescue. I don't need as much protein as a hook caught fish to see me through 5 days, nor will a ripped pair of pants bother me all that much. Don't get me wrong, when I go into the "woods" I take my fishing kit, and usually lots of other things I don't exactly need in order to survive, but none of those non-necessary things goes with me everywhere, and so they don't go in my PSK, but in my backpack.

Seems good enough to me. Probably better than mine.
What do you keep it in?

-Blast

While there is no real "better", there is always what is best for a certain individuals needs according to individual experience and anticipated circumstances.
I keep it in a zip lock bag. Though, the hunt for the perfect container is always on. I think that non-collapsible containers constantly beg to be filled with more stuff, which leads inevitably to the search for a larger container, leading to compromises, crutchery, etc. That's why I like a ziplock bag. I decide what goes in it, and it shrinks to the size I need. No temptation, no indulgence.

Well, the only possible heresy I can see is the lack of cordage, as the knife is just as well carried seperately.

If you mean to say that this PSK is your EDC, you're probably better equipped than many of us here. My EDC is just a lockblade, small ferro rod and a keychain LED light.

Likewise, when I've venturing into the woods, etc, I carry more gear.

Ok, what is EDC? Maybe I am calling PSK what you are calling EDC.

Aside from the subject of food, we may not be all that much different in our approach. I do not carry a "PSK" in an urban environment. Rather I EDC an RSK, mini-Bic, Leatherman Juice, Photon, KelTec, and a few other items. No bandaids, needle and thread, scissors, etc. Sometimes I feel like the odd man out here but I have made my decisions based upon the problems I am likely to encounter. But in the mountains I carry what many--and almost certaintly you--would consider an excessive amount of gear.

I think it may all boil down to what we consider to be a "PSK" and what we do not. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I carry butterflies and super glue, too. The comment was partly tongue-in-cheek; but partly also needle and thread represent redundancy - another desireable virtue in items for PSK - IMHO.
Cheers,

Every Day Carry is what's in your pockets when you walk out the door on your way to work or whatever.

Personal Survival Kit is a pocket sized kit that you keep on your person as opposed to in a backpack or somewhere else.

Speaking of which, I tend to think of this type of stuff in terms of equipment, tools and supplies rather than a "kit". With the exception of the firestarter, I use my EDC almost every day. When I'm camping in the woods, I need things like firestarters often, so I don't stash them away in a "kit". There is no first aid "kit" in my home - there is a cabinet with first aid "supplies". (I'm accident prone plus I have five young sons.) A "kit" is something sacred that you can't touch unless you are "surviving".

What is RSK?

Sorry, Ritter Survival Knife

No offense, but good luck carrying your kit on a plane with the lighter, Spark-lite tinder, and wire saw. If you have done this post-9/11 I'd like to hear about it. The last time I flew about the only thing I carried on board was a small flashlight.

TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items

I have a pretty small minimal kit with the following: Spark-lite, Spark-lite tinder, a couple of MP1 tabs, band-aids, button compass, flat whistle, signal mirror, tweezers, and Photon keychain light. This is all housed in a tiny waterproof Witz container (a la SgtMike88Ret) with a short run of paracord for a lanyard. In addition at least a Leatherman or quality folder would be carried as well.

But I sure wouldn't try to live on that kit. It's more like an absolute last resort.

Thanks for the heads.

How do you tear your trousers badly without also tearing your flesh badly? And if after you bandaged the wound, how would you check it later to readjust or tighten or replace the bandage or to clean infection if you sewed your ripped trousers up over it? I couldn't resist asking, as it all sounds like horse-sense to me.

For me, EDC and PSK are the same thing. "Personal" meaning 'on my person at all times', not 'complementary to my horoscope'.

It was simply that your posts seemed a bit combative in general. Perhaps I like a little more discussion rather than "sparring".
If you are here to both learn and educate that is great.
There are times I am sure when most of us on the forum have gotten heated. over one subject or another. The only issue I had was it seamed more of a challenge than a discussion. A "troll" is when someone post on a forum to stir the "bee's nest" rather than to create a dialog.

I see, and I do admit that I do have a somewhat combative personality. It's just in my nature. I can't change any more than you can. But just because someone makes "you" feel uneasy doesn't mean that someone doesn't care.

I think your lens example is a bit flawed. Yes putting steel wool in your kit because you plan on using it and a battery is stretching; kind of like carrying a bow drill set up. You should practice building a bowdrill set so that you can make one in the field. Not carry one around unless that is the type of "outing" you are planning on.
But the lense is something that cannot get wet or run out of fuel.
The community at large agrees on the need to have multiple ways to make fire; usually 3. The lens is a no-weight, no-bulk way of starting a fire. Why would you not make it one of your 3 or 4 ways? Even if you never need it it takes no space.
Having such a small back-up seems to be logical.

I would only take a magnifying glass if I was planning on living primitive in the desert for an extended period of time. I would even take it thinking that it would be my primary fire starter. Like you said, it won't run out of fuel, and in the desert it works nearly everyday.

I travel with the Ritter PSK all the time; no airport trouble with it so far.
The only issue would be the scalpel which I left in anyway.

Good reply, you'll fit in here nicely. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Some how I replied to the wrong post. This is a reply to the next post.

Maybe, maybe not. I think most people are open-minded enough to realize that different personalities can get along just fine, if they decide to. Mine doesn't depend on yours and yours doesn't depend on mine. We're just different that's all!

I was such a firebug as a kid I could rely on this as my only way to start fire unless it is really cloudy. But yes for me it backs up a lighter, sparklite and firesteel plus I have been able to get an ember from a bow drill I just need to practice making an expedient one.

Just a side note. I am reading a book about the war in Afghanistan and one of the Green Berets talked about ditching their "survival kits" in favor of more ammo. He said since it wasn't survival training they would not need them. This gives you the idea that the really well trained guys can "make do" with very little when it comes to weiging it against more ammo. Here is where "advanced survival skills" really come into play.

I prefer the hand drill to the bow drill. It doesn't require string, and is just as easy, if not easier, in my opinion.
Proficiency with the basic survival skills are all the advanced survival skills you need, according to one school of thought. All else is wilderness living, not surviving.

You can use them to locate little bitty splinters too. You know, those that hurt like blazes but you can't see...

Again, your applying your personal mental template to the world. I fly often. My carrier however is a Morane-Saunier MS.502 Criquet.I've even been known to brandish a P1 Walther at ultralights and seagulls. I am by avocation and part time employ an archaeologist. I often fly into some pretty rough areas in our Los Padres wilderness. Torn clothing? If you've ever bushwacked hard chaparrel you should know about torn clothing. I have never differentiated survival from daily living, not in the Coast Guard where I spent time with the Inuit and pushing lifeboats, not on a hundred and six field excavations from Alaska to Wyoming, not on dozens of horsepacking trips. My world view, based on experience and that of others is that a PSK is a last ditch assembly of tools to replicate in a minimal kit those same tools and supplies we may lose in a larger kit.

There are two things that greatly distress infantrymen in enemy territory. One is running out of ammo & the other is getting separated from your unit.

Thanks for the info.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, how is it again that torn clothes in a chaparral environment constitute a survival situation? I grew up in the chaparral and coastal sage scrub of SC myself, and I know about how hard it is to bushwack through it. But even if my clothes were dirtied and stressed, never did they get torn, and even if they did I can't see how their getting torn could put me in any kind of survival situation. Maybe in the artic, but not in the chaparral.

OK, you popped the waist button on your pants, and they won't stay up without the button. You have too much stuff in your pockets for a safety pin to hold the weight. Or you have a day/fanny/whatever pack with you and a critter chews a hole in it one night. Thanks to the hole the fabric starts tearing, and you are in danger of losing all of the goodies inside. Or a strong wind comes up and keeps blowing your hat off. You could sew that button back on, repair the tear, and stitch some paracord on for a chin strap. At least that is what those of us who carry a needle and tread could do. You would be SOL, but that is your choice.

I could probably think of more, but I am getting a headache from reading all of this sometimes childish bickering...

Lets hear a big Amen on that! Now your just arguing.

Ahhh, the argumentative " I am not a troll" troll.

At least we are not arguing about how many fireman can dance on the head of a pin, we are arguing if the pin is even needed!

And when you are finally backed into a corner, you will insist we "thank you" for being our Socratic father, making us look so deeply and thoughtfully at ourselves etc etc.

TTFN or ta ta for now as Tigger used to say.

rotflmao! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
-Blast

Ok, tell you what. If it makes you feel any better, when I get around to my needle and thread, I'll keep a length in my wallet, for convenience sake, but it won't go in my PSK. This is the only point I'm trying to illustrate. AGAIN, I couldn't care less what you keep in your PSK, or if you even have it on you or not when you need it. That being said, neighbor, "May the cold wind bite, and the wolves howl in delight at the chance to gnaw your bones!" I love nature more than I love any of you, humans.

The beauty of this country is that we can all do whatever we (more or less) wish. We don't have to agree on everything. You raised some good points. So did others.

I'd rather do less with more, instead of more with less. I plan on keeping the needles and thread in my Ritter PSP. And there is a small spool of thread along with a needle buried in my pack. But that's what *I'm* choosing to do.

We're all right and wrong at the same time.

Can we please return to being civil? C'mon, it's the friggin' holidays. I've got enough trouble trying to resist cold turkey sandwiches. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

You may need a needle and thread in the event you rip your pants.

Jeanette Isabelle

I see the issue has already been addressed. Let me add that while torn pants are not a life threatening situation, it could be embarrassing if your underwear is exposed. For some, this is an issue; for some it is not.

Jeanette Isabelle

Underwear, who wears underwear in the boonies???

I was thinking of adding a thimble to my PSK; actually I can improvise with tape from my first aid kit.

Jeanette Isabelle

You have to excuse me. I'm thinking with the urban mind set.

Jeanette Isabelle

OK, you're excused...

If we are to compare E.D.C., in my purse I carry the AMK C.P.R. Medic, modified Pocket Medic, Pocket Survival Pak, EMT shears, Victorinox Classic, Res-Q-Me attached to my key chain, a black 2D Mag-Lite, cell phone, an Energizer portable cell phone charger, travel size Advil, Kleenex pocket pack, SPF 30 Blistex, my medication and a few personal items.

Today I was thinking of including a few local bus schedules.

Jeanette Isabelle

J-I you are very prepared for sure. In my urban day to day I travel very light compared to you.

Since I drive to work I keep an AMk PSP ( I add 4 MP1 tabs) and an AMK UL.5 in my car plus a set of EMT shears in the driver's side door storage area. In the trunk I have an old multitool, Gerber I think, some work gloves, extra coats, extra shoes and socks plus the usual car stuff like jumper cables. Also in the trunk is a few AMK Heatsheet Blankets and a Thermolite Double bivy. I think there may even be a thermolite poncho in there.

My EDC is quite light most of the time. I have a BM Mini RSK, a Photon freedom or Xlite and a Bic lighter. In my wallet I have 2 quick tinder, 2 MP1 tabs and an extra set of batteries for the Photon.

I've tried to add more to my EDC but it usually lasts no more than a week and I stop carrying whatever it is; too bulky.

Could you find a bigger heavier flashlight? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'd like to hear the rationalization for EDC of a 2D Maglite. Really, I have a 2D maglite behind the seat of my truck, but I wouldn't consider it for EDC. I have an Underwater Kinetics 4AA eLED which is plenty for disasters/emergencies and if I need more lumens, I've got a Surefire G2. Those lights together weigh less and are smaller than the 2D Maglite. Other than that, good EDC choices.

BTW that UK flashlight is now upgraded. It has 2 power settings: low and high. You can also twist the bezel from a wide beam into a more intense spot
... Overall a great flashlight, that is why I carry it in my inventory

4AA eLED UK flashlight manufacturer site

I looked at the zoom model, but the runtime on low is less than the runtime of the older non-zoom model. Probably due to the Luxeon II in the newer light. I like the way UK underdrives their LEDs. It keeps the LED from overheating and no way will it ever die. Batteries will die but not the LED.

A 4D Mag-Lite is harder to conceal in my purse though it would make a better improvised club.

Jeanette Isabelle

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I like to keep a ziplock bag on the top of my rigid container. Partly to have means of carrying water, and partly to have something to empty the tin into if I need the item at the bottom.

The nice thing about it is that you can mount a rather large bayonet to it..... Good for jousting...<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I know I am posting late on this, but, I wanted to put in my .02
One thing that I hardly ever see mentioned in a kit is a visual signaling device, such as something brightly colored. I am part of a search & rescue team, and you;d be amazed at what people wear into the woods. No one ever carries a cheap, walmart hunting vest. It costs all of $5 or so, you can put it into a pocket, and, the hunter orange can be seen alot easier than a green gore-tex jacket.
As far as what you carry; you're only as good as the knowledge you posess. I know its been stressed numerous times, but, you can carry whatever you like; if you dont know how to use something, it serves no purpose. I live in New England, and, theoretically, I am only a day or two's walk from civilization in any direction. So, my priorities would most likely be shelter, and possible a fire (barring any medical emergency). Now, in N.E, the easiest shelter to build would be a debris shelter. We are rife with large boulders to build one next to. Again, practicing building one, will make it easier when you HAVE to do it.
As far as fire goes; the hardest time I ever had building one was with the bow technique. It took the better part of an hour. But, I know I can do it, if needed. Anyone can light a fire with a lighter; to build one with an alternative method requires practice, & patience. Something you want to practice, again, BEFORE you're in that situation.
Closing, I always have a 34 hour pack in my jeep, in the event of a call up. I am in the woods alot hiking, geocaching, and whatnot, and still carry the essentials with me. As soon as I get my new cam, I'll post up pics of what I usually carry.

Good point! I currently carry about 20' of yellow "DANGER" ribbon in my PSK - figure I'll spread it out or hang from tree or festoon my head with it if I want to attract attention! Takes up very little space.

I've been watching this thread, and debating on pointing out a critical flaw in your arguement.

A PSK is commonly accepted as being a POCKET Survival Kit. Something little, like the DR PSP, or an altoids tin kit. Such a kit is designed to back up everything else. But you talk like it is a bug out bag or a vehicle kit; those are designed to carry you with pretty much zero outside support for several days. But a PSK? Nah, that's there if you loose everything else, and it basically to get you through a day or two, particularly in rougher climates or if you are hurt. The most food that would be in most PSKs is a starburst or a tea bag or a bullion cube, if the builder feels they need it.

Semantics and terminology do matter. And a PSK is a very personal thing, that why I think you should build or at least customize your own.

The AMK Heatsheet is rescue orange and much larger than a hunting vest (hunters orange).

I wasnt even aware of this product. Just read everyone's review on it & am picking one up this week. Thanks!

All depends on how big the tear is, and how much of your insulation is from the pants. A draft in town in good weather might be embarrasing, but in the woods in really cold weather, it might be the equivelent of stucking ice in your pocket. And there are some nice big blood vessels that are full of warmth there. And frost bite to the inside of your thigh or to the urinary tract just sounds so bad.

Your clothing is part of a hostile enviroment suit. Not a space suit, besides, space kills you pretty quickly and gets it over with. Space is nice that way. Cold air, cold air is evil.