MY EDC
Its time I updated this as my EDC has changed and evolved a lot since I posted this page. I’m going to keep the original post below this one, just so that you can see how it has changed.
First the basics; keyring with keys and multitool (swiss Tech Utili-Key). Not shown here is my iPhone.
Things of note on the key ring; the Brewzkey and the mini sharpie. I find the sharpie to be one of the most useful things that I carry
The Gerber Resolve is optional - I don’t always carry it but I’ve been carrying it a lot while I’ve been on holiday because I keep seeing things around the house that need doing, and its just handy to have with me. The SAK Compact gets carried everywhere. I use a lanyard because otherwise I’ll end up loosing it. The lanyard is a length of 550 cord, braided - I like to braid while watching TV.
Next is the ‘man bag’ and pistol (Bersa Thunder .380ACP). The pistol fits quite nicely in a pocket at the back of the bag, which is a modified Eagle Creek guide bag, so its not that big. I do this when I don’t want to carry the pistol on my belt - it all just depends on how I feel and its good to have options.
So starting top left, moving clockwise we have:
Pen
Sun Screen and after sun
Compass
Small roll of Duct tape
Finger wipes
Chapstick,
Single use toothbrush
bug spray (with an SPF of 15)
Mini Mag Lite
A couple of bandanas
Peanut Lighter
A whistle
Business card case (with business cards)
Couple of emergency ponchos
Couple of spare mags for the Bersa.
First Aid Kit
Odds and ends kept in an Altoids tin (just because the tin was about the right size.)
- Spare house keys / Paper Money / Quarters / small sewing kit / P38 / emergency contact list
Breaking down the first Aid Kit we have:
Non latex gloves
CPR Mask
OTC drugs
Variety of Band Aids
Roll of Gauze
There are other things that come along too, like an epi-pen, radios depending on where I am going and what I am doing.
On the bag strap there is a rubber ring allowing the carrying of a water bottle and there is still room in the bag for some food items.
For the older EDC post, see below:
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For those who don’t know, EDC stands for Every Day Carry. These are the things I drag around with me on my daily travels. I carry all this stuff because every now and then, this stuff is pretty useful. I have dispensed Advil, Benadryl and band aids, to various people at different times. Experience has also taught me that some of this stuff is useful to have; like the Swiss Army Knife tweezers for removing splinters
I posted a while back, about something I call a B.O.A.T. (Bug Out Altoids Tin). Over time I have revised and adjusted this, based on what I found to be useful, and not so useful. This fine tuning is an ongoing process and I’ll be updating this as I go. I’m also going to cover some of the other stuff I carry on an every day basis.
So without further ado, here is what I carry on an everyday Basis. Sometimes I carry my pistol, sometimes I don’t, it just all depends on what mood I am in and where I am going.
(Click the picture for a larger view)
Of course, the Basics are there, like wallet and keys, but you’ll notice the key ring includes a small LED light, P38 can opener, small box cutter and a sharpie. The sharpie is especially useful. I also carry a phone on occasions, usually when I’m working, and even more rarely, I will wear a watch.
The knife is a small Gerber Trendy. I like it but I’m finding the finish is wearing off a little too fast. I’ve had the knife less than a year and its already looking pretty worn. The large black pouch is where I carry all the other assorted crap, which I’ll cover in a moment. Last but by no means least is my Bersa Thunder and spare mag. The holster and mag pouch are from Don Hume leather; so far this is the best holster I’ve used. It fits me very well, is comfortable, and holds the pistol nice and close so I can keep it concealed. For some reason my body shape doesn’t lend itself well to concealing a pistol.
There are sometimes places, that I cannot carry. Churches (Like I ever go to church), sports events (I don’t go to sports events either), Schools (Yep, I do go to K’s school often) and places that serve alcohol (Dammit!). Other than that I carry when the mood takes me, and I’m finding that the more I carry, the more comfortable I feel.
Just as a side note, it is amazing how unobservant people are. Sometimes it is really obvious that I have a pistol strapped to my side but people just don’t notice. I am always amazed by that.
Anyway, whats in the pouch? Well here it is:
The contents are as follows: (From top left, going clockwise)
- Non latex gloves
- 2×2 gauze pad
- Assorted Band Aids
- Triple Biotic Cream
- small bag o’ drugs - Advil, Aspirin (320mg), Benadryl, immodium, Loratadine
- Poison Ivy Scrub
- Burn Cream
- After Sun
- Sun Screen
- Spare house keys
- P38 can opener
- Swiss Arm Knife
- Quarters
- Safety Pins
- Money, $20, $5’s and $1’s
- Emergency contact list
- LED Torch
- Compass
- Whistle
- Superglue
- Mini Bic Lighter
- Mini Sewing kit
- Sanitary Wipe
And all that stuff packs up into that little pouch, amazing! You’ll notice that a lot of the pouch items are geared towards first aid applications. I carry a card in my wallet, from the Red Cross, showing I am qualified to administer first aid and CPR. Most of the items have multiple uses, and in some cases there is multiple redundancy too (Like carrying three blades for instance)
So why do I carry this stuff? Fair question right? Well consider for a moment, getting caught out in a Katrina like event, or even something several magnitudes smaller. You might need to call home but the cell phone system is down. The roads might be clogged with traffic or debris. Remember the video of folks walking from New York to New Jersey after 911? Well, having some cash for phone calls, vending machines, or maybe even bribes, is a good idea. There are those out there who will prey on the vulnerable. Thats a good reason on its own to be armed. (Remember the problems in New Orleans with that?) Medical items can make me or other folk more comfortable - now I’m not carrying an emergency room with me, I can’t fix broken legs or arms etc, but I can treat small burns, cuts, abrasions, simple things. I can call for help with the whistle, I can make small repairs with the glue and sewing kit. The possibilities are endless.
So what do you carry and why? Let me know.