An Abstract List
from HOOTS_DAVE@Tandem.COMOver the last few years, when discussing lists of survival items, I've tended to move to the abstract, i.e., Shelter, Heat, Water, Food, Medicine, Clothing, etc. When someone asks me what I pack, I refer to the abstracted list. This helps people, I've found, by identifying common categories that they encounter in daily life, as opposed to: "well, take some flint and steel, and a fishing kit, and don't forget your iodine tablets!".
Also, because of the company I work for, I've adopted the "fault-tolerant" approach to kits. For example, I've got at least two of everything from each category in my bug-out bag. Having two different items, i.e., flint and steel and a bic lighter, allows me flexibility in case one breaks (altho it's hard to break a flint, not to mention the steel!).
Along with this, is the modular approach to kit building. My most basic kit is a 2"x4"x5" (approx) belt bag (I forget the proper name at the moment). It holds my fire-building equipment, water purification, two space blankets, a metal collapsable cup, first-aid kit, sewing kit, fishing kit....and more. It fits into a larger shoulder bag (Yugoslavian military surplus) that contains 100 ft. paracord, sportsman's blanket, extra clothing, food, etc. The third module is a fanny pack, and the fourth is a backpack (equipment from the previous three are extracted and placed into the backpack). The modularity and scalability allow me tremendous flexibility. I can easily go from module 1 to module 4 in a matter of a couple of minutes.
Lastly, I take what experience has shown me I need. When I first went out into the backwoods by myself, I took a very comprehensive first aid kit, which weighed probably 5 pounds or so. Now I take one that is customized and weighs about 10 ozs. I've also pared down in other areas: instead of a hatchet, I take an SP8 (from Ontario Knives, it's a blunt-nosed mini-machete), for example.