Everyday Carry

 Everyday Carry - The Basics

Some people will already be familiar with the concept of an everyday carry (EDC), a small collection of items that are carried on a daily basis to assist in overcoming the various situations that a person may face. Some may decide to keep their everyday carry simple, choosing to take with them nothing more than a small folding knife, while others will have compiled extensive kits which are carried in bags or packs. Everyday carry items vary from person to person depending on their needs, the environment they live in and the nature of their daily activities.

The following information has been written as a guide for those new to the everyday carry concept looking to create their own kits, and to expand upon present ideas of those already practicing the concept.

Clothing

 

Cargo Pants/Tactical pants

These are a favorite among some carriers due to the large amount of storage space that they provide. Besides having plenty of room for an extensive collection of small tools and equipment these pants come in a variety of fabrics, giving each pair distinct attributes. Some are insulated and waterproofed making them perfect for cold, wet climates while others are made of lightweight, breathable cotton and nylon material making them suited for use in warmer areas. Cargo pants are usually designed for heavy duty use and it isn't uncommon for areas that see a lot of abuse (such as the knees) to be re-enforced by additional fabric material.

Light Hiking boots/Running shoes 

 

Few things are more important than a good set of shoes. A person never knows when they might be walking for an extended period of time, and having the right footwear can mean the difference between a casual stroll and a hellish nightmare of blisters and sore feet. Some carriers wear traveling shoes as part of their everyday carry in order to avoid such situations.

Hat

 

For those living in warmer climates a hat can be an essential piece of personal protective equipment. In the summer months it can take as little as half an hour to develop some serious sunburn and having a hat tucked away can make a lot of difference.

Sunglasses

 

Another item carried by people every day, the importance of a good pair of glasses is often overlooked. Besides making a fine fashion accessory glasses also serve to protect the eyes from grit, dust and damaging ultraviolet rays. Continued exposure to the sun, especially sunlight that is being reflected off snow, the surface of a large body of water or some sands can seriously damage the eye, resulting in incredibly painful burns. Shatterproof glasses can be obtained from most hardware stores and provide high levels of UV protection while offering extra protection that standard sunglasses do not.

Gloves

 

Gloves can never be over rated. They are great for keeping the fingers in good working order during colder conditions, and for protecting the hands during demanding physical labor such as digging with a shovel or splitting wood. Some gloves feature various levels of protection against cut injuries that may be sustained during work, such as having a chisel slip from a piece of wood and gouging into the hand, or cutting the fingers while using a knife.

Tools and Equipment 

This is a very broad topic and like most examples of an EDC it will vary greatly from person to person, depending on their personal choice and the environment they most often find themselves in. Although some of the items suggested here wont be EDC items in the sense that they will be carried around in a persons pocket each day, the items mentioned will be useful things to have stashed in a persons vehicle for access on a daily basis.

Compact Fire Extinguisher

 

A compact fire extinguisher is a common accessory in 4x4 vehicles, though many other vehicles carry them to. These extinguishers are not effective against large fires, instead their purpose is targeted at small blazes, such as burning plant material caught under a vehicle or small spot fires caused by welding or angle grinding. Limitations aside, these small devices can be very handy to have.

Folding knife/Multitool

 

The humble knife has been around for thousands of years. A sturdy folding knife can be used for many everyday tasks such as opening packaging, removing staples, opening letters, cutting fabric, trimming plants, preparing tinder and so on. Those who carry a pocket knife already understand the blessing that such a tool can be. Be warned though, as useful as a knife is a general misuse of blades as weapons have cast a poor shadow over them in recent years.

If you are planning to carry a knife on a regular basis be sure to check the regulations for your area.
Some states will have limits on blade size, while other areas may outlaw knives altogether. Having a knife on a multitool is much easier to explain away and also much more useful.

Torch

 

Thanks to advances in lighting and battery technology torches are growing smaller, as their output is increased. This means that even a small multi-OLED  torch is sufficient for a range of tasks that would not have been possible 20 years ago. A torch is a great thing to have close by either in the car, clipped to the belt or attached to a key chain. Having a torch handy makes changing a tyre in the dark much easier, not to mention navigating the darkness during a power blackout. In an emergency a torch can also be used in conjunction with steel wool to start a fire, while a sturdy torch with a metal casing makes a great improvised weapon for someone needing to defend them self.
Camera

Pen and Notebook

 

On a daily basis I used to think up at least 10 super important things I needed to do, and by the evening I would find that these things were usually forgotten. Writing things down is a great way to remember details. A small notebook is usually sufficient and can be used for plenty of things such as recording phone numbers, street names and creating mud maps. Unlike a PDA, a notebook will never run out of battery, and will take much more of a beating.

Watch

 

It never hurts to carry a watch. A watch can be used to find North (at least approximately) and can be a great aid when navigating in the wilderness if the compass takes an accidental fall down the mountainside. Worst case scenario, most watches are also highly reflective and the protective glass face can be used to signal in an emergency situation.

Lighter or Matches

 

Having the means to begin a fire in a hurry can not be overstated. Fire is a very important survival tool and is commonly used for cooking, sterilization and warmth. Fire can also be a great boost to moral, and the smoke from a fire is a highly visible aerial signal on a clear day. These merits aside, most animals avoid fire, adding a level of additional security for someone taking shelter.

Rope/Cordage 

 

Having a coil of rope tucked away in the back of the car is never a bad idea. Like all things on this list a rope has plenty of uses. A good rope can be tired around small fallen trees and anchored to a vehicle so the they may be pulled off the road. Alternatively a rope can be used in a variety of ways to attach loads to a vehicles and construct shelter. A ropes use is only limited by the imagination of the user.

First Aid

It is recommended that every vehicles carries a small first aid kit. Even the most mundane medical items can make all the difference in a life and death situation. A good first aid kit will contain a selection of bandages, band aids, electrolyte salts, antiseptic cream, anti inflammatory cream, purification tablets, pads/tampons, sterile gloves, and some kind of tourniquet. If its not included it never hurts to include a snake bite bandage, a set of tweezers and a fine scalpel blade.

Map

 

Maps are becoming less common in the age of GPS technology, and furthermore less people understand how to read and navigate by a map. The most common kind of map found in a vehicles is usually a road map/atlas showing street names and locations. These are very useful from getting from A to B, though it doesn't hurt to invest in some topographical or aerial type maps if navigating off road, or on foot in the wilderness. Learning to both read and navigate from a map is a life skill that all should learn.

Compass

 

A compass is a very very old piece of technology, that is very simple to use. Basically so long as the device is not damaged it will always find true north, or magnetic north, depending on what it is set too. Although this doesn't sound like much knowing which way you are heading is extremely important in situations where you can not see your point of origin, for example when hiking in dense bush. I am always surprised how easy it is to begin walking in circles. Even if you dont know exactly where you are, a compass can be used in conjunction with a map to triangulate ones position. This can give a fairly accurate idea of where one is in relation to a certain landmark, and let them know which way they must travel to reach their intended destination.

 Handheld GPS 

 

Thanks to the amazing advances in technology GPS devices are no longer bulky, inaccurate and super power hungry when it comes to batteries. Infact, my favourite GPS is a Garmin Foretrex 400, and although it is small enough to strap on to my wrist it is able to navigate me safely in all environments, receives a strong signal in dense bush and has a very generous memory capacity. This is all while being rugged and suitably waterproof, and having a 20 hour battery life in warm conditions. A lightweight, compact GPS is a must have piece of equipment for anyone who often finds themselves exploring.

A note from the writer: This list is just a set of suggestions to get people who like the idea of establishing a EDC started, and is by all means not the only set of items that a kit can have. I encourage people to come up with their own ideas and share them.