This is an excellent point, there are so many people that have never even opened their PSK or tried out the contents. That is why I always encourage people to buy your kit, then tear it apart and use all of the elements in it.

When you are satisfied with it, either replace the elements you have used or just buy a whole new kit and keep that one for emergencies and keep the used one for practice.

Oh and by the way, I am a firm believer in the Heatsheets line of blankets, They actually fold up again, are MUCH quieter that the cheap mylar blankets and are big enough for 2 people if you buy the large size. You can also repair them if you get a tear if you have duct tape along with you (Which I always wrap around my water bottle.