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People want specifics, not generalities. When I give seminars and talks on the subject of survival, I am often asked about the contents of my personal survival kits. Not just what type of equipment and supplies I have, but what specific items and products I use. Often, people meeting me ask the same question, having previously read survival articles or product reviews I have written. Inevitably, the next question concerns what are my recommendations for the best items to include in their own kit? And, so it goes, no end to the questions.

These sorts of questions, and many more on the subject of survival, have provided the impetus for this Web site. I put this Web site together in hopes of providing some answers to these and other questions about survival and survival equipment. I am appreciative of the interest shown by, and for the encouragement I've received from, so many.

Besides making specific recommendations, I've also tried to include information on how and why I came to my conclusions. Hopefully, this will allow the reader to evaluate similar products themselves, based upon the criteria given.

The nucleus of this site is my "Survival Kit" file that was first published on CompuServe's AVSIG (aviation) forum in 1994. That file grew (a lot!) and evolved based upon input and questions from users, for which I am always grateful. If anyone perusing this web site has any questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms or differences of opinion, please send me an e-mail message.

Except where specifically noted, all the products mentioned and endorsed on the ETS web site have been evaluated personally. Every effort has been made to review all the products with a significant market presence in the various categories, but it would surprise me to find I have not missed some noteworthy products or manufacturers in many instances. If you are aware of any survival related product or equipment I should evaluate or of any survival resources (books, videos, survival schools, etc.) I should investigate, please send me an e-mail message.

The guidance and opinions expressed here are my own, unless noted otherwise. These are based on personal experience, including attendance at various survival schools, field work, testing, research and no small amount of input from experts on various subject matter, whose experience and knowledge I respect. Experts don't always agree and often vehemently disagree. Where appropriate, I've tried to present both sides. In other areas, I've come to my own conclusions after considerable deliberation, offering you what I consider the best choice or most reasonable or practical alternative. If you want to take issue with anything here, you know where to find me.

I couldn't begin to thank all the people who generously contributed to the task of putting this site together, without making it half again larger. However, there are a few who I owe special mention.

Finally, before closing here, I must thank my lovely wife Sue, who puts up with me in the first place and doesn't get too upset with the piles of equipment being evaluated that sometimes take over the house. She even assists in the evaluation of some equipment which is, more often than not, an exercise that is less than pleasant and not even close to her idea of fun. For her support I am eternally grateful.

If my volunteer proofreaders' eyes managed to miss something, and no doubt they have, and you notice any errors, typos or the like in this site, I'd certainly appreciate an e-mail message so I can make corrections. I sincerely appreciate the errors already caught and passed along to me by readers. As a result, there should be many fewer for others to catch.

Thanks for your interest.

Doug Ritter
Phoenix, Arizona
September, 1996

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