I have a personal survival kit that goes with me whenever I drive on trips. The kit is designed to be carried when I'm away from the car. It's contents vary by the environment and weather I think I may encounter. When I'm going to be in relatively populated areas where help can be summoned quickly I carry only parts of the kit.

My personal survival kit has been equipped to help me signal for help, keep warm, provide shelter, provide water and treat minor health problems such as blisters, cuts and sprains.

My personal survival kit is kept in a red back pack for maximum visibility. In the rear pouch I have two one quart plastic drinking bottles. In the main compartment I have:

• Orange plastic distress signal flag
• Portable battery powered strobe
• signal mirror
• whistle (Three short blasts is the standard distress signal)
• Orange polyethylene emergency shelter
• spool of twine
• knife
• 2 canned heat fuel sources (good for 4 hours each)
• tube of fire paste for starting fires
• water proof container containing water proof matches
• Water proof container that carries:
  • pair of heavy wool socks
  • Yellow rip stop nylon hooded wind breaker
  • Yellow rip stop nylon pants
  • Bright orange vest (I want to be seen if I need help)
• Waterproof container with a first aid kit containing:
  • Roll of 1 inch stretch gauze bandage
  • Telfa pads
  • Roll of 1 inch tape
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Cold pack
  • Bottle of Advil
  • Bottle of water purification tablets
  • Antiseptic swabs
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Knuckle bandages
  • Band-Aids
  • Matches

When I leave sight of the car alone, I leave a note in the car stating which direction I intend to go and when I intend to return.

When I'm off taking pictures I can not carry my complete personal survival kit. Instead I pack the whistle, strobe and a water bottle into my photo vest. Depending upon the weather and expected conditions I may carry additional parts of my survival kit.

Some thoughts:

• Don't risk death by being too macho to admit you need help.
   
• When you decide that you need help don't be shy about letting other people know.
   
• Drink water frequently. When you are thirsty you are also dehydrated. Severe dehydration affects your judgment.
   
• Keep warm. Losing body heat affects your judgment. When you are so cold that you stop shivering you have lost the ability to get warm without an outside heat source. If you reach this point you will lose consciousness soon and die without an external heat source. Do NOT be shy about seeking help
   

Getting help and staying alive beats being a macho self sufficient survival expert corpse by a long shot.

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