Are you a prepping enthusiast or simply looking to be more prepared in your daily life? No matter your reason, understanding and having a well-equipped Every Day Carry (EDC) bag is the cornerstone of good preparedness. The EDC bag serves as your immediate resource in various emergency situations and contains tools and items that you commit to carry every day. It’s your first line of defense, your handy tool chest, and your survival kit rolled into one.
This in-depth guide aims to walk you through the essentials of an EDC bag for different scenarios, from urban survival to remote wilderness settings. Let’s delve right in!
The EDC Philosophy
The primary goal of the EDC bag is to ensure you have basic resources or tools to help you survive and navigate through unexpected situations. This could range from a building collapse to a hostile encounter, from getting lost in the woods to being trapped in a jammed car seat. It’s the go-to resource that enables you to survive, adapt, and overcome.
Remember, the best EDC bag is the one customized to your unique needs and situation. If you or a family member have a medical condition, ensure to include essential medications and supplies in your bag.
Surviving in Remote/Rural Environments
Remote or rural EDC gear should be capable of handling encounters with wild animals, identifying edible plants, finding clean water, and more. You might need tools for cutting firewood, starting a fire, or even trapping small animals for food. Weather protection, navigation tools, and outdoor cooking essentials are other factors to consider.
- Multi-tool: A versatile item like the Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool can help with a range of tasks including cutting, opening cans, and more.
- Firestarter: An item like the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter is a compact, reliable choice.
- Survival knife: A high-quality survival knife such as the KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife is indispensable.
Surviving in Urban Environments
In an urban setting, you might face different challenges such as civil unrest, looting, or debris-littered grounds. Your urban EDC bag should include self-defense items, first aid supplies, tools for a smokeless fire, and personal hygiene items for disease prevention. For self-defense, items like a small baton, pepper spray, or a concealed carry firearm (following local laws and regulations) could be considered.
- First Aid Kit: The Surviveware Small First Aid Kit is compact and comprehensive.
- Self-defense tool: The SABRE Red Pepper Spray is easy to carry and effective.
- Multi-tool: The Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool is compact yet packed with useful tools.
The Role of Technology
Modern technology, especially smartphones, can be a lifesaver in survival situations. There are countless apps providing vital survival information, weather updates, and navigation assistance. Equip your phone with a power bank to ensure it stays charged when you need it most.
The Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux is compact and provides a reliable source of power for your phone.
Keychain Add-ons
Your keychain, often overlooked, can be an efficient tool carrier. Consider adding small tools like a mini-flashlight, a cutting tool, or a small screwdriver. A waterproof cylinder with tinder and fire steel is invaluable in a wilderness setting. A flash drive carrying copies of important documents or survival ebooks can also be beneficial.
The Nitecore TINI 380 Lumens USB Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight is an excellent choice for illumination needs.
Everyday Wearable Items
Stealthy preparedness is key to avoiding undue attention. Everyday items like Paracord laces or bracelets, a multi-function watch, or safety pins concealed in clothing can come in handy.
The Timex Men’s Expedition Scout 40 Watch is a good combination of utility and style.
Essentials: EDC Knife, Gun, Water Purification
An EDC knife and a firearm (where legal) can serve for self-defense or utility tasks. Water purification tablets can make potentially unsafe water drinkable. Remember to consider the weight, size, and frequency of use of these items.
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a lightweight and effective water purification solution.
The Ideal EDC Bag
The perfect EDC bag should be discreet, comfortable, and versatile, enabling it to be worn on your back, around your waist, or cross-body. Camera bags, laptop bags, or specifically designed EDC bags can serve this purpose.
The Maxpedition Entity 21 CCW-Enabled EDC Backpack is a perfect blend of comfort, size, and discretion.
In conclusion, an EDC bag, tailored to your personal needs and the environment, is an integral part of surviving in various situations. Remember the prepper’s motto: “Plan, prepare, protect, get through, hold on, hold out, make it, and keep body, soul and family together. Survival is our Strategy!” Prepare your EDC bag today and take the first step towards readiness and resilience.
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
