What will you choose?

Fishing rod, with tackle as Dan said, tent, knife and matches. I could also use the knife to make a spear if there were wild pigs. Tent to keep out bugs.The weed is tempting but with little food about, maybe a bad idea, lol. I'm not worried about a pot, I'm sure to find something washed up with the oceans the way they are.
 
Knife
Tarp
First aid kit
Matches

My philosophy would be to select items that would have multiple uses. I'd also want my items to be relatively easy to transport. A good knife is a veritable tool kit if you know how to use it. A tarp can provide shelter, act as a signaling device, catch rain water, maybe even facilitate a solar still. A quality first aid kit should contain items useful for more than first aid, such as gauze and cotton balls that can be used to act as tender to start a fire and safety pins/needles that can be used as fish hooks. Since I don't trust my ability to start a fire using sticks, I'd want matches. Without a fire, chances of survival/rescue are greatly diminished.

If I had a fifth item, it would be the hiking boots.
 
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.......Paul's still contemplating #4....
yep, i was not too happy with picking vitamins, but without vitamin c and a few others, things like scurvy will set in within a month, causing weakness, lethargy, and lower immune to diseases, along with higher infection rates from injury and bugs etc....so the fourth choice highly depends on the location and climate, but would probably be the first aid kit
 
yep, i was not too happy with picking vitamins, but without vitamin c and a few others, things like scurvy will set in within a month, causing weakness, lethargy, and lower immune to diseases, along with higher infection rates from injury and bugs etc....so the fourth choice highly depends on the location and climate, but would probably be the first aid kit
I initially started my post with defining variables, such as location and climate, in determining my picks. You'd prepare/allocate gear differently for an island in the South Pacific than you would for an island in the South Atlantic.
 
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I initially started my post with defining variables, such as location and climate, in determining my picks. You'd prepare/allocate gear differently for an island in the South Pacific than you would for an island in the South Atlantic.
exactly, i also did what you described as far as what may serve a multiple use...some of those items need to be paired with others to be effective whereas some like you stated with the first aid kit can serve a multiple use by themselves...(fully equiped aid kits can have a mirror for signaling, etc...)
 
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exactly, i also did what you described as far as what may serve a multiple use...some of those items need to be paired with others to be effective whereas some like you stated with the first aid kit can serve a multiple use by themselves...(fully equiped aid kits can have a mirror for signaling, etc...)
I got to spend a lot of time with a former Royal Marine while working JSF. He was one of the Marines who yomped across the Falklands in 1982, but he also participated in various exercises in places like Norway in the winter and Belize (and I think Malaysia) in the summer. He said being cold and wet in the Falklands was far worse than being very cold and relatively dry in Norway or hot and very wet in a tropical settings. He said the RM lacked "personal kit" for that environment. He was a really entertaining guy to spend a few hour with in the pub after work, and man could that guy drink.
 
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If there was a possibility that I was going to be stranded on an island that is essentially a rock sticking out of the ocean with little on it - I would take my chances on the raft. And hopefully see birds.
Dukes friend sounds interesting....
 
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I got to spend a lot of time with a former Royal Marine while working JSF. He was one of the Marines who yomped across the Falklands in 1982, but he also participated in various exercises in places like Norway in the winter and Belize (and I think Malaysia) in the summer. He said being cold and wet in the Falklands was far worse than being very cold and relatively dry in Norway or hot and very wet in a tropical settings. He said the RM lacked "personal kit" for that environment. He was a really entertaining guy to spend a few hour with in the pub after work, and man could that guy drink.
ill take tropical heat any day over cold, especially wet cold. a dry cold is acclimatable and not as bad but add moisture and its a different story. military equipment is always lacking, result of going to the lowest bidder. other than a few items you learn quick what to invest in and personally own. i think a large alice pack is one of the few things that was done right...lol..... pub time was always fun.
 
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