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Self reliance is a skill not taught anymore. Boy Scouts used to teach it, but to the best of my knowledge the DOD survival schools are the only ones teaching it today, some web sites are nothing more than gadget outlets , other survival sources should be labled as ultralite backpacking.

A guy by the name of Tom Brown ? I believe is teaching it very well with a understanding that all one needs is provided by nature and the only tool one needs is the one between yer ears.

The one good point in this thread that all should understand is that if it is not on your person 24/7 when away from home it's no good. Your "kit" should be so small and comfortable that it's easily carried in a pocket.

My personal survival kit (PSK) is composed of the following.......
Leatherman Wave tool
Zirconium lil sparky bar from done rite mfg, covered in shrink wrap tubing
A 2 inch sewing needle with a large eye, magnetized and waxed
A small vial of potassium permaganate crystals for topical infection treatment and water purification
2 reynolds oven bags, large, for water carriers w/ 4 small wire ties as closures.
30 feet of sterile waxed dental floss
3 small dry flys & 3 small long shanked fishhooks w/ split shot attached
4 individually wrapped Life Boat matches
A flat ACR brand rescue whistle
A photon III white LED light
A 3M Mylar space "bag" vacummed down to the size of 6 or 7 playing card
A old AOL CD that I cut down to credit card size and drilled a hole in the center to use as an emergency signal mirror.
a 2x2 sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil.
A single edged razor blade (waxed to prevent rust)

All this is compressed in my food saver vacum kitchen appliance and then trimmed down to be carried in a small nylon wallet . The little wallet is about the zize of a deck of playing cards when packed in such a manner. I have made a lanyard from 550 para cord that I braided and added a small mueller clip to keep it attached to a belt loop or jacket pocket when I skydive, hike,fish, hunt or ride my ATV's.

Albeit I don't smoke I also keep a small bic lighter on me carried loose in my pocket. My Key chain has a house key and common single key for both my vehicles, a small Victorinox brand swiss army knife that has a small led light built into it and a second zirconium sparking bar with a small sewing needle with a hundred dollar bill wrapped around it just in case I lose the wallet with all my money . All that is secured with electrical shrink tubing and attached to my key ring.

Add this to my surefire E2 light with a TID device, my 1911A1 with 2 spare 10 round magazines and a terzoula ACTF knife. A S&W Model 317 snub .22 revolver with 50 spare rounds in an ankle rig as a backup and I go about my life in the urban jungle just fine.

A good idea for those that live in rural areas like I do is to have a triad concept that keeps a personal small kit on you 24/7....one carried in your vehicle in a day pack in case ya have to walk out from a bad session of 4 wheeling and your home. To build such for your home I will suggest you get up now , walk out to your power and water main and turn it off. Make a list all weekend long as to what you can and can not do and build from that......checking into the local holiday inn doesn't count !

Stay Safe Joe !!

My personal surtvival kit includes,
at least 1 minimag lite,
sure fire light
Leathermaqn PST,4sq ft of aluminum foil, a pocket sewing kit with buttons and sewing needles magnatized,
a similar vial of Potassium permanganate for antiseptic water purification duty,
a lil sparky fire starting tool.
At least one good folding knife often more than one.
Each keychain I carry two has a Vitrinox swiss army knife with red LED, A photon III white LED light, sterile waxed dental floss
A large zip lock bag and a smaller one,
a small signal mirror,
a couple of hooks and often a boat meteor type signal flare fully contained(I use an expired one from the boat).

Along with this is my sidearm and backup (both .45acp and at least 40 rounds of ammunition). I figure no matter what I can at least get to a cache or my vehicle if nothing else.