What preparedness gear can you carry as EDC that will pass by the metal detectors and screeners legally, without subterfuge, for later "McGyvering" if necessary? I can think of a few categories and examples:

1. Innocuous metal stuff, like cell phones, IPODS & PADS, etcetera, whihc also usulally would allow ear buds and tgeir wire,m chargers, including solar chargers, keys and keyrings, a metal-cased pen or pencil or two, manual pencil sharpener, floss container with cutter, packs of gum in foil wrappers, a few paperclips, and small candy / coughdrop tin[s]. These will need to go into the manual search basket, of course, before you go through the metal detector.

What other stuff can you think of that fits this catefory?

2. Innocuous "plastic" stuff, like combs, straws, paper and binder clips, toothpicks, plastic-cased pens and pencils, small ruler, member/credit/debit cards, magnifying lens, whistle, spork, platypus or other water bag, paper and binder clips, small toothbrush, and a couple zip ties.

What other stuff can you think of that fits this catefory?

3. Wood and paper stuff, like wooden pencils, pair of chopsticks, notebook, paperback book, newspaper, and Post-its.

What other stuff can you think of that fits this catefory?

4. First aid stuff, like: bandaids, OTC meds, and self-cling wrap.

What other stuff can you think of that fits this catefory?

5. Other stuff, like a small piece of flint, a small smooth piece obsidian [Apache Tear], and bandanas.

What other stuff can you think of that fits this catefory?

The screwdrivers (etc) that are made to go on keyrings. No one has ever noticed mine.

Pull-apartable lanyard for your keyring.

Sue

The only two items I see that are not listed are a flashlight (I EDC a 2AA MAG-LITE) and lip balm. While you did list a bandana, in my opinion I believe it is good to be specific about the bandana in an urban environment. A red paisley bandana around your skull, not neon or flaming red, can be used to blend in under some circumstances.

Jeanette Isabelle

Around here blue or red bandanas are gang colors. Neutral earth tones work for me. If they are printed with first aid or survival instructions, even better.

Warning Will Robinson, warning.

I passed thru a TSA checkpoint forgetting my bandana and some 3x5 cards I usually carry in my back left pocket. You woulda thunk I had a dirty bomb in my back pocket. I got buttockully groperated, then had to go see a guy with a sniffer to see if I had handled any explosives lately. They even checked my ball cap to see if there was anything in the band, and looked at my watch. They weren't real impressed when I said, guys, retired military, here's my ID.

Of course, the EDC stuff that I thought was a nono was in my check bag, and it made it thru fine.

how about: uninflated brightly coloured balloon, condom, single AAA flashlight, package of shoelaces, mini pack of kleenex, disposable rain poncho, maxi pad, tampon - although these last two may be best left for us girls.

let's not forget Les Stroud's harmonica!

i think it might be a guise to get me to accept his smoker status, but my husband has suggested that a pack of cigarettes are great emergency tinder.

In most "screened" situations (airports, schools, courtrooms, etc.) you're going to be indoors and in a crowd. Based on what I have been through, I carry the following:
1) Water bottle - 9 hours on a train without air conditioning.
2) Iodine tablets - Wish I had carried these on a delayed flight. Bathroom sink water was NOT potable.
3) Flashlight - Stuck in an elevator.
4) FAK - self explanatory. Includes safety pins.
5) OTC medications (asprin, pepto, etc)-self explanatory.
6) Spare perscription medications - lost luggage or items stolen or broken in transit. This was a problem prior to TSA coming into power. Still is, but now you know who to blame.

Other generally handy stuff for jury rigging things.
7) Duct tape - Used mainly for shoe and clothing repairs. Mini-rolls are sold by backpacking outfitters so you don't have to lug around the "Home Depot" sized rolls.
8) Nylon Cord - Same. Also, can be used to decorate backpacks, keychains, etc.

> Mini-rolls are sold by backpacking outfitters

You can get 'flat packs,' too. (http://www.redflarekits.com/7030 among others)