Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately dependent upon your perspective on such issues) we cannot all walk around 24/7 with a GHB (Get Home Bag). Therefore, I've been carrying some form of PSK (Personal Survival Kit) for years. My personally applied maximum size kit is 4"x6"x2". This is small enough to fit in a large pocket, man purse, brief case, jacket pocket, cargo pocket, or even "planner". It is also large enough to hold some basic survival ESSENTIALS.

As a tiny kit, these do not enjoy the luxury of mass scale redundancy and compromise is always required. We all love lists, and hate blanket statements (like I just made) so onto the goods!

FIRE

(1) Bic Butane Lighter
(1) Light My Fire Scout Model Ferro Rod with Striker

WATER

(1) 0.5L Platypus Bottle (collapsible water bottle)
(1) AquaMira Frontier Filter (suck thru water filter)
(6) Katadyn Water Purification Tablets

SHELTER

(20ft) 375 ParaCord (yes, 375. It is much smaller than 550)
(1) Emergency Poncho
(1) Yard Waste Bin Liner (contractor bags work too. Les Stroud uses them for shelter often)
(1) Space Blanket (1 Blanket per PERSONAL Kit).
TOOLS

(1) Gatco Dogbone or Triseps (small knife sharpener)
(1) USGI P51 (large version of the P38 can opener)
(1) Zero Tolerance Folding Knife (usually...0350)

NAV & SIGNALING

(1) County Comm Maratac AA Rev3 Flashlight
(1) County Comm Maratac Flashlight "Globe"
(1 Spare) Battery
(1) Engineer's Compass
(1) Fox40 Micro Whistle (wear ear plugs!)

NOTE: I need to find/fabricate a red filter for the flashlight.

FIRST AID / HYGIENE

(5ft) Duct Tape
(3) Sanitation Wipes
(1) USGI Sealed Adhesive Bandaid

COMMENTS

1) This kit lacks a boiling vessel. I use to store a small stainless tin inside, but it made the pouch feel too bulky. I've chosen to not include a boiling vessel since I have ample water filtration on board.

2) In many ways this is an "E&E" kit. It is small and designed to minimally keep you alive while on the move. I've elected to not include fishing equipment as a result.

3) This kit presumes you're dressed appropriately for the weather/activity you're engaged in. It isn't a comprehensive kit. It is designed to be portable...much like your handgun. I'd much prefer to walk around with a SCAR, but people might be (unnecessarily) alarmed. Therefore, I carry a handgun.