In this posts I will list a few items and add to it as I think of it. All of us I am sure have bobs. i am going to list easy to find and hell to tear up items that have been proven for years and well just works.
for the bag itself- alice pack
flashlight- the mag light although people have their preferences just works and is tuff as hell.
gun- single shot 12 gauge any kind
knife- frost mora or ka bar marine fighting knife
lighter- bic
duct tape

this is just a few feel free to add to this list, it will help anyone looking for easy to find items that are timeless and just well works. I will add items from time to time also.

magnesium fire starter
I skipped the fighting knife in exchange for a Kershaw Blade Trader with the gut hook
multi-tool
Parachute Cord, work for everything from a tourniquet to stringing up a Deer and lashing down a broken pack strap

emergency mirror
compact 1st aid/med kit
compass

uh, water anyone?

I personally don't carry any quantity of it, I have my filter and am surrounded by mtn creeks and ponds.

1. 2 mil lawn bags/garbage bags make sure 2 mil or more but anything will do in a pinch.
2. regular old bandana or shemagh
3. 1 qt. canteen / military with cup
4. VASELINE/ or generic even better don't forget cotton balls

A couple of things I usually carry:

1. police whistle for audible signals (beats yelling)
2. insect repellant (the ones that come like handy wipes in the overnight survival bag)
3. two pieces of aluminum foil about 3 feet long, folded tightly (can form to hold water, do basic cooking in, use for signalling, and just generally useful, cheap, and small)

Depending on the situation I usually carry some kind of first aid kit--even a small one with a few bandages and some antibiotic cream is handy. Also a fan of the cheap "tube tents". With some paracord I can string up shelter pretty quick. They are pretty cheap and you can get them in orange or yellow if you want to be found or olive drab if you don't.

Oh, and a good knife. That's so much habbit that I think most of us would take it for granted. Generally a decent sized folder for short durations. If I'm out for a while or going to be out overnight I'll wear a fixed blade on my belt.

Max

Another thing is a piece of cardboard that has a few pins, safety pins, needles, fishing hooks, and then is wrapped with some fishing line and some thread. That definately is one of those little things I have and never think of. Have used the needle & thread for patching stuff up and the needle for getting splinters out. So far I've never had to fish for my dinner. And I've been carrying a hook and line for almost 40 years now. :-)

Max

Hello all, RON L here SERE SURPLUS

What a Great post, I wish I'd thought of it? For Items that always work I add to the List:

1 Qt canteen Cup that fits under the 1 qt canteen and even make a stove to heat water under that?
P-38 and P-51 Can openers.
Mini mag light, yea I like the GI Angle heads as well But Prefer the Minimags - I also use the cheap LED Lights that use AAA batteries as well for a small compact light.
Esbit Folding camp stove use these with Triox or heximine fuel for instant cooking and heat needs in winter smaller than a pack of cigarettes.
Water Filter I use a Kyadyn but many other makes and models that work as well, and I have a Mini stray in my BOB so I can have clean safe water no matter where I go.
Mini-Fish kit, I'm crap with a rod and reel but a drop line works for me, and light and easy to carry.

Other had already mentioned Fire steels for fire creation, I add a few Vasoline balls yes, but a small fim container of magnesium clips already ground for wet weather fires!
I like Clear Plastic Sheeting 4Mil and up, I can make a Lean-to, or a Solar Still or use it as a ground-sheet if the ground is wet! Cheap, light, easy to fold and always have with me. Trash-bags work, but sheet is larger and more useful in shelters and other bigger jobs!

couple of nails (this can go in a small ziplock with you carboard of pins and safety pins)

a hair comb ( no not to look beautiful) its to hold a nail in place.if you are in sub zero temps and you need to hit a nail into something froozen the comb will hold the nail and you will not bang up fingers..

tuna tin with a wire handle through it, I make this for canoe trips or have them...I can put vasoline balls and water proof matches and cardboard with safety pins,pins,nails and even a couple of flat headed screws..then all of this fits in tuna tin..you then have something to melt snow for water or heat up small foods...