The hardest part about these kits is keeping them small enough that you don't mind keeping them with you all the time. I had a great kit that I built up with everything from my Leatherman Wave to snare wire and a space blanket.......but it never left my brief case- which was fine if I could take it with me. When I have to go out to dinner with a client though, or out to a bar.......well, even though it is the size of a softball, it is too big.
If you guys were limited to an altoid's tin, what would you put in there?
For the situation you described, urban, foriegn country, small enough to fit in an Altoid can, forget about most of the outdoor survival gear. Your in a city, shelter is all around. Stick with just what you need; ID, money, maybe a small amount of first aid stuff. Passport, and money inone of those hidden wallets inside your pants. Other stuff should be on you all the time, everywhere you go anyways. Some small items that are always on your person is way better than a kit. Some companies like Travelsmith, have sport coats and jackets with lots of extra inside pockets. Stuff like a good small pocket LED light. Cities have lots of dark places at night. Theres always abandoned boarded up buildings to take shelter in an emergency. You'll need a small light though to find your way around in the dark. Small, don't worry about it's abitlity to spotlight a racoon at 100 yards with a zillion lumans. You don't want an over abundance of light spilling out attracting unwanted attention. A common Bic lighter can start a small camp fire in a trashcan if you need to get warm on a cold night.
A small basic sak should be part of your travel gear. Take it out of your checked bag when you land. The screwdriver and othertools may come in handy if the militia is between you and your hotel, and you need to find a place to crash or stay out of sight till daylight. If you need anything bigger, you can pick up a good size lockblade in most countries for very little money, and ditch it when you leave.
A stout walking stick or cane. This may be the only weapon you will have at hand in a strange country if a problem breaks out. Its under most radar, effective for many uses besides defense, and always in hand. Goes right through airport security as well. It may come in handy prying a board off one of those abandoned buildings most big cities have. And if you run into some unwelcome resident in that abandoned building, a nice stout stick can be a welcome companion. Can also fend off assailants in a street riot.
A map of the city your are visiting. In an emergency, a street map and small compass can get you through back streets and alleys to where you want to go, by-passing troubled areas. Study it when you first get there, and get to know at least know general directions of important stuff. Like what part of the city is the American embasy in, or where is the hospital from where you will be? What direction is the international airport, if you have to get out right now?
Be real about what you are carrying. 10 or 20 pound survival packs are going to be useless, not to mention trying to go through customs with some of what some people think is survival gear. Don't look like you're coming into thier country on some sort of comando raid. Avoid obvious high dollar American gear in Latin America, and bulging Maxpedition or other high roller brand packs. Theres some that will do you in for what you are carrying. Dress in such a way you don't scream "AMERICAN" as you walk down the street. Avoid logo anything on clothes or bags.
Common sense and using your head will get you farther than alot of toys.
