This is the fifth post in the what prepping supplies do I need series where we will cover everyday carry (E.D.C.) items. This is also the last post on supplies for bags and kits. The next post will go into preparing at home.
What you decide to carry every day is really a personal preference. You will want to include items that are convenient, Items that you use every day and items that you might not use all that often, but it’s better to have it with you when you need it than to wish you had it with you.
At the end of this post I also have the everyday carry kit that I use and what I included in it. There are a few more items in it because it is a kit, not just items you can put in your pocket. While I do have items in my pocket like a lighter, my knife, a fire starter on my keychain and a multi tool on my belt, I prefer to also have the more extensive kit because I would rather not have my pockets loaded down.
Some common every day carry items include…
Pocket knife: Your pocket knife depends on our state laws. Here we are not legally allowed to carry a knife with a blade longer than 3 inches. Just like with multi tools you can work your way up to a good quality knife. Some of these cheaper knives will be appealing, but when push comes to shove nothing beats quality.
Multi Tool: During this series you have probably noticed that I say to have a multi tool
just about everywhere. If you have the ability to get a few I saw hay not. You can start out with a cheaper one and work your way up to a more expensive one. Even if you don’t have 5 multi tools, make sure you have one with you at all times.
Analog Watch: The reason I say analog instead of digital is because with an analog watch you can find your direction by using it as a makeshift compass. Also try to have a windup watch that doesn’t use batteries. While watches that require batteries will last a very long time, it’s always better to be safe.
Lighter: Lighter are one of the cheaper items you can buy, a pack of 4 costs around $10 and will last a very long time. Make sure and get the Bic brand lighters because the flint and steel in most of the other brands just won’t hold up.
Cell Phone: This almost goes without saying these days because everyone has their phone with them at all times. Make sure you not only have your phone with you, but keep it at full charge as much as possible. Even a phone that does not have enough signal to make a call can still sometimes send a text.
Pen & Paper: I carry a pen with me everywhere I go. This is just like the multi tool, you never know when you will need it. It could be useful for writing on your maps, leaving an important message if you need to set out on foot, or writing down contact information.
Sunglasses: A pair of sunglasses not only help protect your eyes and help you see better in the summer, they are even more important if you live in a colder climate to prevent snow blindness. Sunglasses
also help with operational security. A person can tell a lot about how a person is feeling by facial expressions, by hiding your eyes they will not be able to tell if you are nervous, scarred, angry or being dishonest.
Bottled Water: Even if I have no plans on drinking it, I always bring a bottle of water with me. I don’t use the prepackaged water bottles, but I do have a refillable water bottle that goes with me everywhere. Like the saying goes “don’t leave home without it.”
Wallet Items: This can be customized to fit your needs, but some things I carry in my wallet are my credit card knife
, personal and family contact information, some extra cash (small bills), my health insurance card and any medical information about me that people might need to know.
Keychain items: Some people don’t like to have a bunch of stuff on their keychain, I on the other hand don’t mind. My keychain barely fits in my pocket and includes a flashlight, a compass, a small knife, a paracord lanyard with a whistle.
Paracord: you don’t need to have a roll of paracord with you, paracord can be used as shoelaces, a lanyard, a bracelet, or zipper pulls. If you think about it you will find many different areas you can use paracord, but try to make sure you have some longer lengths available. The average paracord bracelet is about 4 continuous feet of cordage.
Concealed Carry: This is a personal preference, some people prefer not to carry and some people do. If you do carry you probably already know the laws on your area and have had training. If you are thinking about it make sure and check the laws and take some classes about firearms safety and conceal carry best practices.
My Maxpedition E.D.C. Kit
In the process of putting together this kit I decided to also make one for a lucky winner at the Survivalist Prepper Academy. I am also going to put together a few more in the near future and have them for sale at the SHTFShop.com.
If you are interested in getting one just leave a comment below or email me at dale@survivalistprepper.net
Contents…
1. Maxpedition Pocket Organizer (Black)
5 Feet of 550 Paracord (Zipper Pull & Mirror Lanyard)
1. Iain Sinclair Credit Card Knife
1. 11 in 1 Multi Tool
1. Signal Mirror
4. UCO Waterproof Matches, Striker & Cotton
1. Sparkie Fire Starter
1. Flashlight & Whistle
1. Floating Ball Compass
1. P38 Can Opener
1. Bic Lighter Wrapped With Duct Tape
2. 2″ Clothespins
1. Pen & Index Cards
1. Emergency Solar Blanket
4. Aquamira Water purification Tablets
1. Advil Packet
1. Antibiotic Packet
2. Steri Strip Bandages
2. Curad Bandages
Final Thoughts on Bags
This does it for bug out and bug in bags, automobile kits and everyday carry kits. This might seem like a whole lot of stuff but remember, you probably have half of these supplies already lying around the house, and the other half can be built up over time. While quality does matter, you can start out with some of the cheaper supplies and slowly work up to the better more expensive equipment.
You are going to want a bug out bag for everyone in your family but let’s be honest, not all of us have the money to build 5 separate bug out bags all at once. Start out by making bags that have supplies that you already have around the house and add to them over time. Pretty soon you will be good to go.
Coming Next…
Now that we are done with all the different bags and kits you need we are going to move on to becoming better prepared at home. While all of these kits are important because they will help us get to our home, if we aren’t properly prepared to stay there for an extended period of time we really aren’t prepared at all.
As I said in the beginning of this series it can be tough once you get to this point because by now you have learned a little more about preparedness it seems like there are a hundred different things you need to do, a hundred things to buy and you’re not quite sure which way to turn next.
We will have all that in the next post and even dig a little deeper into all of this at the Survivalist Prepper Academy on the Prepping 101 course.
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5 replies to "What Prepping Supplies Do I Need – Everyday Carry Kits"
Very good kit. 🙂 An easy and silly-sounding minor possible addition. Tie a Cobra (survival-bracelet) braid ‘zipper pull, similar to what you appear to have on the outer zipper and mirror, out of about 3-4 feet of bankline or mason twine, and loop through anything that has a hole in it, like the P-38.
Doesn’t get in the way, makes ’em easy to find. and you have extra cordage with almost no extra weight/space.
I never thought about bank line, thanks Wyzard.
Great series! Even though I already have these kits set up, it’s great to see what others are doing. You have definitely spent a lot of time thinking out what to put in your kits. I have really enjoyed reading the series.
Small contact lens holders can be used for several things…..a small amount of Vaseline/lip balm for a fire starter.
For a BOB would hold a small amount of salt and pepper.
I’m sure there must be dozens of other uses………….
I have enjoyed this series. Being a ham radio emergency operator I have a go-bag but was very interested in the everyday carry kit.