What's your EDC? What should it be?
Posted 04-29-2014 at 06:33 PM by Happy in Wyoming
Updated 06-24-2014 at 04:14 AM by Happy in Wyoming
Updated 06-24-2014 at 04:14 AM by Happy in Wyoming
[We've had several productive discussions regarding both carrying guns and carrying emergency or survival supplies in vehicles. It seems reasonable now to discuss what we should have on our persons at all times to make our lives safe and with as little inconvenience as possible. "EDC" simply means everyday carry; it's what you have in your pockets or securely attached to your clothing or body. This applies to women as well as men because purses can be lost or stolen. A vehicle is, of course, ideal for carrying necessities and conveniences, but we're not always with our vehicles. The question is what should we carry at all times. I'm not going to bother with wallets, keys, credit cards etc. Everyone carries these items; they require no comment.
I decided years ago that I would never dress around my gun. T-shirts and sport shirts hanging out are simply unacceptable to me; a gentleman does not wear a T-shirt or leave his shirt untucked anytime. I don't always wish to wear a jacket; reversed fanny packs are a dead give-away. But about twenty-five years ago made a very fortunate discovery. I was at a yard sale and saw three small pouches with both belt loops and carrying straps; I bought all three for a dollar. My initial thought was that they would be handy for carrying small items when hiking. Indeed they were, but their use was not limited to hiking. I found that one of the pouches worn on the belt is just the right size to hold a medium to large auto pistol without exciting any interest. There's an interior pocket which can hold extra magazines and other small items. Since there's a gun inside, however, these shouldn't be necessary items that may be needed in a publc place. This particular belt pack seems most useful when serving this dedicated function.
But what about other worthwhile items to carry. Every older person should carry aspirin to take immediately in the event of heart attack or stroke. Many health conditions require carrying specific medications. Then we have antiseptic wipes and first aid material. A medical alert necklace should present no problems; anyone who's alive has a neck. It can even share the neck with a knife or light gun suspended in a neck scabbard.
A keychain doesn't just work for keys. Mine sports a tiny Spyderco knife as well as two LRI flashlights, one red and one white. I keep the red between my two electronic door keys so I know which is which; I use the red when I can't disturb my night vision. The white LRI is brighter than my cell phone light and far more durable.
I'll describe now what I carry and how I do it; I hope you'll comment and share your methods. First, here's my list:
keys, change (which I rarely need), Chapstick, and fairly complete SAK (Swiss Army Knife) I keep these items loose in my left side pocket.
Smith & Wesson Model 638 This fits perfectly in my right side pocket. I generally restrict carrying the belt pouch I described to large cities, particularly those where I can't legally carry a gun. In that case, my Smith is either my primary or secondary BUG (backup gun). In chilly or cold weather I carry a Smith Model 649 in my right jacket pocket. It is just a touch larger than the other but has a stainless steel rather than an aluminum frame and is chambered for .357 magnum rather than .38 special.
If I'm wearing a jacket I carry my wallet in the left side pocket. Otherwise, I carry it in my left hip pocket when on foot or my center console when driving.
But there are other items I need. I carry bear spray when hiking but this thread is about urban kits. Backcountry kit discussions could fill hundreds of threads.
illuminated 5x magnifier
5-20x magnifier
30x illuminated magnifier
cell phone: small flip type
Kindle Paperwhite
Bic lighter (I don't smoke, however)
Zippo lighter fuel in small container (marvellous solvent)
extra ammo
needle nose pliers
duct tape
I've been replacing my regular chinos with cargo pants. LL Bean even makes some rather dressy examples. I use Maxpedition pocket organizers and small packs that are both Molle compatible and can be fitted with belt loops. Thet also fit well into lower cargo pants pockets. That's where I keep spare ammo as well.
Empty Altoids tins make fine little containers for pills, needles, wire etc.
Now, let's hear how you do it. What do you carry and how do you carry it? Let's make the unsafe world a bit less so during our twilight years.
I'm supplying a few links; follow the internal amazon links as well. youtube has a plethora of useful videos. Just search for Maxpedition and go from there.
MOLLE Pack and Pouches
Amazon.com: Maxpedition Anemone Compact Utility Pouch (OD Green): Sports & Outdoors
http://www.amazon.com/Maxpedition-3-...1RY7KXS1T74K7C
Amazon.com: LRI PWK Photon II LED Keychain Micro-Light, White Beam: Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: Zippo Fuel Canister: Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: Rite In The Rain 3X5 Kit - Tan #935T-KIT: Sports & Outdoors
I decided years ago that I would never dress around my gun. T-shirts and sport shirts hanging out are simply unacceptable to me; a gentleman does not wear a T-shirt or leave his shirt untucked anytime. I don't always wish to wear a jacket; reversed fanny packs are a dead give-away. But about twenty-five years ago made a very fortunate discovery. I was at a yard sale and saw three small pouches with both belt loops and carrying straps; I bought all three for a dollar. My initial thought was that they would be handy for carrying small items when hiking. Indeed they were, but their use was not limited to hiking. I found that one of the pouches worn on the belt is just the right size to hold a medium to large auto pistol without exciting any interest. There's an interior pocket which can hold extra magazines and other small items. Since there's a gun inside, however, these shouldn't be necessary items that may be needed in a publc place. This particular belt pack seems most useful when serving this dedicated function.
But what about other worthwhile items to carry. Every older person should carry aspirin to take immediately in the event of heart attack or stroke. Many health conditions require carrying specific medications. Then we have antiseptic wipes and first aid material. A medical alert necklace should present no problems; anyone who's alive has a neck. It can even share the neck with a knife or light gun suspended in a neck scabbard.
A keychain doesn't just work for keys. Mine sports a tiny Spyderco knife as well as two LRI flashlights, one red and one white. I keep the red between my two electronic door keys so I know which is which; I use the red when I can't disturb my night vision. The white LRI is brighter than my cell phone light and far more durable.
I'll describe now what I carry and how I do it; I hope you'll comment and share your methods. First, here's my list:
keys, change (which I rarely need), Chapstick, and fairly complete SAK (Swiss Army Knife) I keep these items loose in my left side pocket.
Smith & Wesson Model 638 This fits perfectly in my right side pocket. I generally restrict carrying the belt pouch I described to large cities, particularly those where I can't legally carry a gun. In that case, my Smith is either my primary or secondary BUG (backup gun). In chilly or cold weather I carry a Smith Model 649 in my right jacket pocket. It is just a touch larger than the other but has a stainless steel rather than an aluminum frame and is chambered for .357 magnum rather than .38 special.
If I'm wearing a jacket I carry my wallet in the left side pocket. Otherwise, I carry it in my left hip pocket when on foot or my center console when driving.
But there are other items I need. I carry bear spray when hiking but this thread is about urban kits. Backcountry kit discussions could fill hundreds of threads.
illuminated 5x magnifier
5-20x magnifier
30x illuminated magnifier
cell phone: small flip type
Kindle Paperwhite
Bic lighter (I don't smoke, however)
Zippo lighter fuel in small container (marvellous solvent)
extra ammo
needle nose pliers
duct tape
I've been replacing my regular chinos with cargo pants. LL Bean even makes some rather dressy examples. I use Maxpedition pocket organizers and small packs that are both Molle compatible and can be fitted with belt loops. Thet also fit well into lower cargo pants pockets. That's where I keep spare ammo as well.
Empty Altoids tins make fine little containers for pills, needles, wire etc.
Now, let's hear how you do it. What do you carry and how do you carry it? Let's make the unsafe world a bit less so during our twilight years.
I'm supplying a few links; follow the internal amazon links as well. youtube has a plethora of useful videos. Just search for Maxpedition and go from there.
MOLLE Pack and Pouches
Amazon.com: Maxpedition Anemone Compact Utility Pouch (OD Green): Sports & Outdoors
http://www.amazon.com/Maxpedition-3-...1RY7KXS1T74K7C
Amazon.com: LRI PWK Photon II LED Keychain Micro-Light, White Beam: Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: Zippo Fuel Canister: Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: Rite In The Rain 3X5 Kit - Tan #935T-KIT: Sports & Outdoors
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