HOW TO Setup Your Every Day Carry (EDC) Bag
No matter where you live, whether it’s in the city or in a rural environment, everyone needs to be prepared for things that can happen in their everyday lives. Today, we will help you with your Every Day Carry or EDC supplies. Not everyone chooses to carry a firearm for self-protection and not everyone has the tools and supplies for immediate first aid, but if you are thinking about starting to be prepared, we will be discussing some contents and supplies everyone should have around them at all times.
Check out our video on what we keep in our EDC bag:
THE BAG
Before you worry about buying the supplies, you need to find a good bag. Most people go with a backpack or a sling bag. These are very comfortable to wear and you can find them in all different sizes, colors, and styles.
EDC SLING BAGS
To purchase any of these bags, CLICK HERE
Sling bags are great for the essentials but are not too bulky for the person to carry. Typically, these bags are to carry small items such as phones, tablets, medication, and a first-aid kit.
EDC BACKPACKS
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Backpacks are the choice for most people. With a backpack, you can carry more and heavier items, such as laptops. Also, the great thing about backpacks as that they distribute the weight, evenly, over both shoulders for better support and less aches and pains.
While backpacks are extremely functional, they can also be very stylish. Some are “tacti-cool” but some can fit in with a very stylish outfit for men and women.
EDC FIREARM BAGS
Firearm bags and purses are great for storing your every day needs, but also securing a firearm, if you choose to carry. Unfortunately, most firearm backpacks for men are typically more tactical in appearance. However, if you are a woman, there are many stylish purses that will blend in very nicely.
FOOD AND WATER
This goes without saying, but food and water are essential to live. Bottles of water are easy to come by, so make sure that you always have at least 2 bottles with you at all times.
It’s always nice to have some sort of snacks to help you if you are stuck somewhere and can’t get to a store or restaurant. Some of the ones that I like to keep with me at all times are gummy bears, peanut butter crackers, and trail mix.
ELECTRONIC ITEMS TO THINK ABOUT
In this section, we will be discussing electronic items that you may want to think about having on you at all times.
PORTABLE CHARGERS
With everyone, seemingly, on their phones, tablets, and laptops at all times, it only makes sense to have a portable backup power supply with you. There are many sizes, types, and power capabilities out there, but I like Anker products. I have used them for years and never had a problem with them. Some are more expensive, but they are very reliable and can handle all your portable electronic needs. You may even want to look into a solar powered charger that will recharge itself with sunlight. This could be great if electric outlets are not present.
OTHER ITEMS TO THINK ABOUT
Nomad Key
A Nomad Key is an ultra-portable charging cable. Keep it on your key-chain and always have a backup micro USB cable. Designed for emergencies or for the minimalist traveler.
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- Fast charge and sync
- Flexible middle section
- USB 2.0 certified
FLASH DRIVE
Flash drives are easy to Use and Carry. They can be used for storing music, photos, personal and documents, movies, pictures, books, programs, presentations, designs and more.
PARA-CABLE LIGHTNING CORD
Para-cables are great to charge your phone, tablets, etc very quickly. On top of being fast, they are extremely durable because of the para-cord outer covering. The solid and durable braided armor nylon shield gives the cable stronger protection and flexible performance than others and no need to worry about tangling, effectively prolonging the service life.
EDC SELF-DEFENSE ITEMS
In this section, we will be talking about items that you can have in your bag for self-defense. Although firearms are a huge part of my carry bag, we will not be discussing firearms in this section. We will be focussing on other items that can be used.
– Please check your Local and State laws to find out what items may or may not be used in your area.
KNIVES
Pocket knives, or self-defense knives, come in many different shapes, sizes, blade styles and configurations. No matter what your local laws are and what your purpose is, there is going to be a knife out there that fits your hand and style that you like.
FLASHLIGHT
Most people think of flashlights to only see in dark places. But, when it comes to self-defense, flashlights are a very effective tool to use when in that situation. They, obviously, will not bring lethal force to your attacker, but a bright LED flashlight to the eyes may be exactly what you need to flee from that scene. I trust and carry the Streamlight Microstream USB flashlight and would recommend it to anyone.
PEPPER SPRAY
Pepper spray, also known as oleoresin capsicum spray or OC spray is a compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness. This temporary blindness allows an opportunity to escape. It also causes temporary discomfort and burning of the lungs which causes shortness of breath.
Pepper spray or gel is an extremely effective way to end a threat. When my daughter went away for college, the first thing I bout her was the SABRE 3-in-1 spray.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
No matter where you are, there is a possibility of you or someone being hurt at any given time. I would suggest everyone get some basic first-aid, cpr, or stop the bleed training, but at least carry some basic first-aid items that could help save a life.
FIRST-AID KITS AND IFAKs
BUY FIRST AID KITS AND IFAKS HERE
A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment that is used to give medical treatment. There is a wide variation in the contents of first aid kits based on the knowledge and experience of those putting it together, the differing first aid requirements of the area where it may be used and variations in legislation or regulation in a given area. They come in many different sizes, shapes, and prices. I, personally use and like the MyMedic Range Kit for a basic first-aid kit.
An IFAK is an Individual First Aid Kit. It is essentially the same as a normal first-aid kit, but some will also have a trauma kit included. My personal favorite IFAK is the MediTac Premium IFAK. It comes with a lot of great items, including a tourniquet, quickclot, and chest seals.
TOURNIQUETS
A tourniquet is a device that is used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity in order to limit – but not stop – the flow of blood. It may be used in emergencies, in surgery, or in post-operative rehabilitation. A simple tourniquet can be made from a stick and a rope (or leather belt), but the use of makeshift tourniquets has been reduced over time due to their ineffectiveness compared to a commercial and professional tourniquet.
There are two primary types of tourniquets to consider for EDC. First, you have the Combat Application Tourniquets (CAT) tourniquet. The CAT is a true one-handed tourniquet proven to be 100% effective by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research. Tests proved that the CAT completely occluded blood flow of an extremity in the event of a traumatic wound with significant hemorrhage. The CAT tourniquet utilizes a durable windlass system with a free-moving internal band providing true circumferential pressure to the extremity. Once adequately tightened, bleeding will cease and the windlass is locked into place. You can find these pretty cheap and I have multiple ones with me everywhere I go.
The second type of tourniquet that I would recommend is the RAT tourniquet or Rapid Application Tourniquet. The Rapid Application Tourniquet System (R.A.T.S) is the fastest tourniquet on the market and is used to stop massive hemorrhaging due to trauma.
HAM RADIO
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emergency communication.
HAM Radios are great for emergencies and other activities. The great thing about them is that they are very inexpensive. The radio that I have is the Baofeng UV-5r and it costs about $25.00
Remember, if you want to get into HAM Radio, you will need to get a technician license from the FCC to transmit. But, if there is an emergency, you do not have to have a license.
CONCLUSION
No matter where you live, what your interests are, or what you do for a living, there is always the possibility that you will need supplies in a moment’s notice. Whether it’s for you or someone else, the best thing we can all do is be prepared for whatever comes our way. I hope I have helped you go through some of the essentials, but understand you can modify and customize your EDC bag to whatever you want. The most important thing is to start thinking about carrying one.
