Reddit mentions of Parachute Cord Nylon 7 Strand 550lb Tested U.S MADE 100',Black

I got this pulley hanger and spray painted it white, and used this white parachute cord to give it more reach.

Works like a charm. I like to think of it as my "art" centerpiece.

A modified 3-day military pack list. I pulled out the military specific stuff and stripped out some of the heavier items.

• 100 feet of 550 cord. Daisy chained, immersed in water, compressed and then stuffed back into the bag it comes in. Avoid those gimmicky 550 cord braclets, they make you look like a toolbag, and aren't useful.
  
  
  
• D-Rings. They don't need to be mountaineering grade, but at least make them a step up from the office keychain variety. I keep mine attached to the end of the 550 cord.
  
  
  
• Mini-sleeping bag in a stuff sack. I've got a Snugpack rated to 23F degrees.
  
  
  
• Jacket and watch cap. Can't go wrong with Army surplus for this. I've put these in their own seperate stuff sack, so I can find them easily if I start getting cold.
  
  
• Gloves. I prefer Nomex flight gloves, they are thick enough to allow dexterity but are still warm (the only downside is that they are very long and I end up having to cut them down to a manageable length with scissors.)
  
  
  
• Two 2 liter camelbak bladders. Full, of course. Make sure they don't leak.
  
  
  
• A Sureaqua bottle if you can afford it. The built in filter lets me pick up more water in a pinch. (I've also got a small iodine bottle, because I'm extra cautious.). If this is out of your price range, iodine should get you through 3-days just fine. Another old school option would be to boil the water in a metal container, but you really shouldn't have to do this since iodine is cheap, effective, and small.
  
  
  
• A field stripped MRE. I've pulled all the junk out of one and double stuffed it with two entrees and as many Cliff Bars, tuna packets and jerky bags as it can hold. Don't forget to pack a spoon.
  
  
• Baby wipes. Unscented, small package. These are essential to rucking in comfort. Trust me.
  
  
• Some way of telling time and a compass. I've got both in one with a Suunto watch. Though a cheap Timex and a military surplus compass are enough to get by.
  
  
  
• Maps of the area. Make try to pre-mark important sites for yourself (friends, family, work associates should be marked, as should places you feel you can securely hunker down), and the water proof the map. Waterproofing can be easily done with a page protector and some duct tape.
  
  
  
• Pen, Sharpie, and paper. A small Rite In the Rain pad is a good choice, as cheap office type pads tend to get ruined by water and sweat easily.
  
  
  
• Multi-tool. I'd go with a Gerber.
  
  
  
• 10-12 inch zip ties, at least a dozen.
  
  
  
• Duct tape. Make a several foot long emergency roll by wrapping the tape on itself or on an expired gift card (or whatever.)
  
  
  
• A lighter.
  
  
  
• Small medical kit. Include at least 2 tourniquets (KAT or similar), pressure dressing, 500mg Tylenol, medical shears.
  
  
  
• (At least) One set of decent hiking socks, balled up.
  
  
  
• One flashlight. I'd go with a Surefire with a red/blue lens cover. In a pinch, blue painter's tape can be used as a cover on your light. (Doing this helps you retain night vision when turning a light on.)
  
  
  
• Extra batteries for your flashlight, and for anything else you've packed that needs batteries.
  
  
  
• Visible 12/24 hour chemical lights.
  
  
• If you wear glasses, at least one set of clear lens prescription eye protection.
  
  
• If you don't wear glasses, I'd still recommend clear lens protection.
  
  
• A towel. Yes really. They have a lot of uses.
  
  
  ***
  
  In addition:
  
  You should have the skills to use everything in your medical kit. I'd recommend at least taking an EMS course. Tourniquets may seem overkill to carry, but they are about the only thing that can save a life if the injury is bad enough to warrant them. I personally never carry less than 4 spread between a kit and my body.
  
  Know how to navigate on-foot with a map. Know your pace count and how to make an azimuth/reverse azimuth. In a city you should actually have an easier time than in the woods, because you can use terrain association like a motherfucker.
  
  You need good footwear for walking. I'd be wearing my my footwear so, that's why it's not in the packing list. Don't be a mall-ninja who buys surplus Army jungle boots, instead I'd recommend a tough modern hiking boot. I prefer Asolo Fugitives, they feel great, even after days spent walking in them.
  
  Also, you need a vague idea of a plan. Even the best packed bag can only supply you for a short time if you don't have a plan. Have an idea of places you will want to go and the specific conditions you will encounter. In the event of a terrorist attack or large storm, you're going to want to attract attention to yourself and try and get evaced by government search and rescue. Riots (not protests like OWS, but real, no-shit riots)- you either want to hunker somewhere secure or get out of the area as quickly as possible. With that you're going to have to look at how likely it is that you can get out in a short time (getting off Manhattan in a timely manner during a riot seems like a lost cause to me, and you'll have to weather that particular ordeal somewhere secure.). In the event of something even more balls out crazy or long-term you are going to want to leave the island, and have a plan of where you want to go once off the island.