A knife for sure- preferably one of those crazy swiss army ones with the magnifiing glass.
but I would probably just make sure I had a tool for making fire- they'd find me within a day or two (if I was lost and stranded) nice and warm.

Depends on where I was stranded.

If it was not the summer, I would want something to make fire. If it was the middle of summer in the desert, I would want a solar powered fridge (distill water from the air).

I have to agree with Bit, it would depend on what type of wilderness (desert or high mountain top!) and time of year. But for sure a knife, and if its cold warm clothes & matches would be nice. If its hot, plenty of water!

When I go hiking, even just a day hike, I almost always take a small backpack with some snacks, water & some bare essentials. I've thought about throwing one of those space blankets in there too, that could come in handy when its really cold or even raining.

what we have to understand is you will never know when or where it will happen.

That's exactly why we need to always be prepared & have those bare essentials with us regardless of how short you think your walk or hike will be. For me, if I plan on walking more than a couple miles from camp or my truck, then I'll take my backpack with water, etc. along.

Oh one more thing I carry with me from time to time, its my cellphone. Doesn't always work in the mountains though.

cowgal, you are more prepared than I most of the time. trying to break old habits. One of the worst things I do is go out by myself. And no-one knows where.

Sagebrush that is bad - really bad! Don't you remember that guy that had to chop his hand off to survive after a large rock came down on it? Had he told someone where he was going, he could have lived AND saved his arm/hand.

Do try to improve your habits, you might be saving your own life! If you take off by yourself something simple as breaking or spraining a leg can leave you stranded. If you're high in the mountains, you could freeze over night even in the summer months.

Well if I had only one choice I suppose it would be a way to make fire.

I always have one or two knives on me. If it's only one thing, I would have to pick a Bic.
I can find water.