my inquiry into EDC started with a discussion in my Chem I class to the terrorist attack at Mumbai...it was for a remain overnight (RON) in a foreign country or get to the embassy kit...I had several students going to Africa (Kenya and Uganda)with a church group, and they had asked for some ideas...I was led to this forum by articles by Jeff Randall in Tactical Knives magazine... I had always carried a pocket knife, P38 on the key ring, couple of bandaids in the wallet, and later a Photon light..but mostly after the fact lessons learned when I didn't have what I needed...

I'm old, so my first addition to the key ring was a pill capsule for some aspirin for heart attack or stroke, then a plated brass whistle

an on body water carrier eluded me...condoms were iffy, and found some heavy duty zip top pouches that worked till I found the MRE hot beverage pouch...the pouches folded flat and afforded space to add some more first aid supplies..cloth knuckle bandaids,povodine pad,hemostatic gauze,OTC analgesics, and some ClO2 tabs,couple of feet of duct tape on a card and still not taking too much space (I had retired by this time)in cargo shorts... later added the mirror from an AMK kit

the TK magazine suggested the Vic Farmer (I carry a Benchmade Aries axis lock or Reeve Sebenza)so designed my additional kit around it...rather than carry a heavier multi tool, used the pouch for my on body kit...utilized heavy clear tape to minimize clutter...4 quarters in a strip, section of hacksaw blade with ferro rod, needle, and safety pins...15'mono for cordage, AAA battery (upgraded the Photon to Fenix E01)..tweezers, miniBic with button compass taped on, cut down stick ball pen...

tiny Leatheman PS4 has both mini pliers and scissors in pocket..bandana...KelTec 3AT in rounds out typical EDC

my GHB is built around a GI poncho, and a Sawyer filter bottle..like all, I try to re evaluate my original thought process, and refine and reduce the weight... still waiting for the "ah ha" moment I guess