I carry a tweaked version of Doug Ritter PSK, minus some things that are not really that vital in my location (signal mirror, paper, pencil, sewing kit and fish hooks), plus a BIC, the DR mk5 knife, a LED light and a wire saw (long term test ongoing, results still pending). And all wrapped in gorilla tape - can't have too much gorilla tape

The PSK rides along a thin disposable plastic poncho and a heavy duty garbage bag. It all fits into one of the thigh pockets of the cargo pants I use whenever I go somewhere interesting. This pant also has a tool pocket that holds a Mora 840 knife.

This setup is a re-tweak of the PSK discussed here. Contents are basically the same, but I went back to the DR pouch.

My keyring includes a quark mini AA flashlight, a scraper/screwdriver/poking thingy and the tiniest possible pocket knife I've seen (spyderco bug).

EDIT: My cell phone slips into a water proof pouch and then into the cargo pocket on my other thigh.

My anorack (wind and water proof, similar to goretex) has a whistle. Usually there's also a multitool and a tiny 1st aid kit in my pockets. I say usually, because the multitool and 1st aid kit migrate between different uses and different pieces of clothing, so they might easily be somewhere else when I need them.


I am very happy with this setup. The most basic things are permanently in one of the cargo plus tool pockets of my outdoors jeans - just put that on and my most basic PSK and shelter items are with me.


I am not really that concerned about loosing my pack (which, among other things, usually contains my bigger PSK and a bivy bag) - but I frequently will put it down somewhere (at a camp or picknick site). I may then wander off exploring, picking firewood or whatever. On a nice sunny day my anorack / shell jacket will be in my pack, too. So I am a bit concerned about being caught by the elements and not being able to make it back to my pack and my jacket (lost, injuries, wandered too far off). But as long as I literary keep my pants on I always have some protection against the elements (poncho, thrash bag) a knife and a PSK.