In the disaster preparedness or prepper community a common topic of discussion is every day carry items. Also known as EDC items. These are the things that you would carry on your person every day. While a lot of folks maybe do not know about this facet of prepping, it can tell you a lot about a person. Try this for size.
Take everything out of your pockets (or purse) and dump it all out on a table or on the floor. Look closely at the items you have on your person and in this pile. Would you be able to survive a random attack from a stranger or wild animal? Or what about an unplanned walk in a wooded area you are unfamiliar with and its getting dark? Maybe you are stranded and your car isn't starting? Even worse, no one is around for miles? These unforeseeable incidents will happen to all of us at some point or another. But being prepared and equipped can make some of these things much easier to deal with and overcome. If the items you have dumped in front of you are not really going to make any of these situations weigh into your favor, its time to start seriously thinking about your EDC load out.
EDC is the most basic of planning and prepping. This article is not going to dive into the more complicated ideas related to it, but will be much more of a crash course in the philosophy and practice and why it matters. As stated before, at the EDC level it is the items on your person at any given time. There are many levels to prepping and your EDC is probably the most important.
There are essentially 3 levels of prepping I personally use and practice and it goes like this.
EDC - Every Day Carry (What you have on you now and always)
GMH - Get Me Home (More specific items carried in a bag , or in a car geared to get you home)
BOB - Bug Out Bag (A bag typically at home ready to go with 72 hours worth of supplies)
Why everyone should care and think about their EDC?
Your every day carry items should improve and help you in your daily life but also prove more than useful in dire times of need. Your profession and lifestyle may dictate and change what you may carry. Generally your EDC will change as needed and change often. Here are a few simple suggestions may help the majority of people new to prepping and get them going on a path to prioritizing and optimizing their daily load outs.
The following list is 5 of the most basic items I feel are important for building an EDC. Your personal items and choices will vary but these items have proven to be useful for nearly every event planned and unplanned I have encountered.
1. Cash
While this one may seem obvious for a lot of people it isn't something they generally think or worry about. Cash and paper money can prove very helpful in a pinch. Ever been to a fast food restaurant or a gas station and conveniently the computers or internet go down? There you are, standing with 10-15 other people now waiting to pay for something and the managers and customer service people are saying "Sorry folks the machines are all down. But we can take cash over here on this register." Out of the people standing around there usually one or maybe two people that end up getting out quickly because they were smart and packed a few bucks in their wallet somewhere for coffee or a sandwich. Today, we do not put much thought into paper money because everything is on debit or credit cards. But once the internet or a hiccup with a computer network happens those means of paying for goods and services no longer apply. Until the problem is remedied the card itself and the numbers in your bank account are about useless. Having $20-100 stashed away on your person is a smart move to get out of a tight spot. If $100 sounds like a lot, it really isn't. If your car breaks down it could easily cost $70 just to get a hook up and a pull a few miles down the road to get it to a shop. And if you decide to hide your cash on you in a spot you would not typically pull from (hidden pocket in wallet, or in a shoe under an insole for instance) that few dollars could prove to be very helpful if your account is a little low and you get in a bind. Cash is king usually, and its always good. That is why its #1 on my list of must have items in an EDC at all times. Another avenue to expand on this would be buying and collecting silver or gold, or any other precious metals. As those resources more than likely will always be worth something and more than what you paid for if inflation and value is in your favor.
2. Knife
A knives usefulness as a defensive tool and utility item can go a long way. Typically there are three types of knives I think about when it comes to EDC blades and they are Good, Better, and Best. Good may be classified as a blade found on a multi tool or Swiss army knife. These will help with small tasks and needs, but are difficult or dangerous in application from a defensive perspective. Better category would be the most common choice for every day carry, the trusty folding knife. Liner lock or frame lock options are probably the most popular and are practical for carrying for most utility and work purposes. A 3-4 inch blade may be a viable defensive tool if necessary. They are slightly more safe than the Swiss army option and can be quickly deployed if needed in a situation. However, these pocket knives (typically with clips) can fail when put under major stress. Which is why there is another option that is formidable and dependable. Fixed blade or full tang are knives that goes through the entire knife grip and all. These are meant for rough use or strictly for combat. Lots of companies market fixed blade to the outdoor community to be used in the woods as survival and military knives. They are the most reliable, robust, and trustworthy out of the bunch. While they may be longer than the folding variety most of the time these can fit a role as far as uses and needs much better typically. These sheathed 4-6 inch knives though are cumbersome for people to try implementing on a daily basis or for smaller detailed work. They also may not be an option to carry openly depending on where you are at or what you are doing. Finding one of the 3 options that works best for you is very important. You are better to have a small one on you than to not have one at all. This philosophy will be used many times but this is where the application really starts to make sense.
3. Water
Another item on the list most people may over look and it should be an obvious thing. Humans are able to go very long periods of time without food. This is not true when it comes to water. Staying hydrated is essential to health and success when dealt a crappy hand. Without water dehydration will quickly ruin morale and chances for success if in a survival situation. A lot of preppers will have a gallon or two in their cars for moments when it may be needed. As a rule of thumb, 32oz - 3 Liters is a smart amount to carry at all times. A Nalgene bottle, or hydration bladder are two easy ways to achieve this. They can be taken easily anywhere and can be carried or put in a bag or thrown in the car. Water is even more essential in dry or hot climates. In the heat you may want to double or triple the amounts mentioned above. Plan accordingly and do what works for you where you are at. This is a hard lesson to learn on accident or by mistake. Not to mention it could be a deadly one. For in the woods and on the go, companies like Lifestraw or Sawyer make small portable light multi use filter devices that can clean and make non potable water safe to drink from pretty much any water source. These are cheap and easy to use and purchase, and go great in GMH bags or BOB's. These will save your life and should be considered for the more prepared and trained. Until then, get used to carrying water everywhere, every day, no matter what.
4. Flashlight
There are a multitude of choices at just about any price point but the idea is simple. In a pinch where you need light, you want a flashlight. Before you say something about your smart phone, I know. You got one on yours. For the applications of the prepper it isn't really a good option. Flashlights can be used for signaling or for just finding an item you misplaced or dropped in the dark. They also serve an important role like identifying and confirming possible threats or hazards. A bright flashlight can be used also to deter possible attacks or advances from a physical confrontation. These lights geared to the EDC person will typically have a clip for pocket carry and also have a button that is hard to press accidentally, but easy to turn on and off quickly. More expensive options may use Lithium batteries, or even have strobe settings or SOS signals built in. For carry I recommend something with 100+ lumen and has an adjustable throw/flood or focus. When flashed directly in the eyes of a person or animal it will cause temporarily blindness and will be disorienting. When something goes bump in the night, a flashlight is a must to identify and confirm a threat. For the size and price and weight, its worth having one all the time day or night. Lots of options have single AA or AAA batteries that are cheap to use and replace while still being powerful. With the many applications and uses, and also the bonus factor that it may be all you need to stop a threat before it begins. The flashlight is a huge asset and tactic to the modern warrior.
5. Pistol
Last but not least is the force multiplier. A sidearm is of the utmost importance. A lot of people will say, "I have no need to carry a gun at all, let alone everywhere with me." There are a lot of people ignorant to the most basic of defensive teachings let alone firearm safety. To be clear on this I suggest everyone take firearm safety courses from certified trainers. People who are competent, confident and responsible should be carrying a sidearm when able. A sidearm or pistol is the equalizer for the defensive minded. Protecting ourselves and our families from threats and dangerous forces is not optional and non negotiable. This is true for people and animals alike. Concealed carry makes this easily done with a permit or license. But training should not stop there. Practicing and taking classes are encouraged and required to be sure you always have an upper hand. With defensive anything, a you never train to have a fair fight. Always plan and prep to be more prepared and equipped than anything you ever may have to go up against.
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These are the items I suggest as a must for people new to EDC to think about. Its always a hot topic of conversations and debate within the community. Take the "pocket dump" challenge and see where you may improve your personal EDC. Consider some of these suggestions and philosophies and make changes that fit your situation. While they may not all work for everyone these have worked great for me and have helped me numerous times when the odds were not exactly in my favor.
Self sufficiency is one of the major core beliefs of a modern heathen. As time has progressed people have naturally put their safety and well being in the hands of others in lieu of doing it themselves. Its easier that way. And they have become rather comfortable doing so. A follower of the old ways would never rely on someone else for their own personal safety. We train and live the same way our ancestral warrior descendants would have over 1000 years ago. Asatruar today are no exception. The field worker would never leave the home without an axe or knife as a force multiplier. In the modern day, our force multiplier is a firearm much to the same philosophy. We are living products of that philosophy in action. We are living proof that it works.
Remember, it is better to have some things and not need them than to need them and not have them at all.
Cash, knife, water, flashlight, pistol.
What do you carry?
