When my family and I were stationed in Korea, we all had gas masks - something that they don't have here (I have one from the National Guard). Definately something that we should have though. Anywhere you know of that has good prices on surplus stuff?

Fire... I think that the ability to make fire and a knife are the 2 most important survival tools - bar none. A gun is the most important self defense tool. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> So the 3 of those are way up there on importance. I have a ton of firemaking stuff. I always carry a knife on me, and I have a flint/striker combo in a little pouch on my keychain (something I highly suggest to everyone). I always have fire and blade on my person, because odds are you're not going to be in the ideal place when the poop hits the fan, or when you get stranded. I should really have some paracord on me as well - maybe one of those paracord bracelettes or even just a braided lanyard on my key chain w/ the flint combo.