I went to the Dollar Tree this afternoon during my lunch hour with the "Theoretical $11" in mind.

Here's what I came up with:

Water:
24 Ounce Water Bottle - $1.00

Fire:
Lighters (Set of 3) - $1.00
Alt. Magnifying Glasses (3 Plastic) - $1.00

Knife:
Utility Knife (5 Extra Blades) - $1.00

Light:
AA Standard Flashlight - $1.00
Alt. LED Flashlight - $1.00
Panasonic Batteries (For Light) - $1.00

Shelter:
Shower Curtain Liner (70"x70") - $1.00
Nylon Rope (110 LB Test) - $1.00
2 Lightweight Ponchos - $1.00

First Aid:
Mini First Aid Kit (42 Pieces) - $1.00

Signaling:
Compact Mirror - $1.00
Alt. Kid's Toy Whistle - $1.00

Not counting three of the items that fell under alternatives plus taxes the total comes to $10.50. I hope they offer a plastic bag to carry this stuff.

Having gone through that little exercise, which definitely made for a fun lunch break, I think that it needs to be said that I wouldn't expect much out of most of the equipment. After all, everything costs a dollar and looks like it was produced for a quarter. In one case, I skipped the Swiss Army Knife knockoff because it looked less reliable than the Utility Knife.

I would also try to test as much of it as possible in the store.

Things I skipped which could have come in handy were various Snack Foods, Floral Decorating Wire, Tweezers, Tylenol to go, Cotton Balls, Vaseline, Pens and Paper and a Metal Dog Bowl which could have been used to boil water.