I was just curious what everyones views on EDC capabilites are...what do you consider the "MINIMUM basic every day carry" and what should you be able to accomplish with what you have on you...I am thinking of the "every day carry" in a normal everyday urban situation, NOT necessarily a wilderness survival situation and NOT convenience items. What would you consider the absolute basic minimum everyone should have in their pockets every day and why?

I would appreciate any thoughts or comments.

I appreciate everyone's comments on their own personal EDC but that is not what I'm looking for...(thats another post <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)...I am just interested in knowing what you consider the minimum basic gear everyone should have in their pockets...kinda' like Doug's "don't leave home without it" gear.

I look at the EDC as a way to defend myself, take care of minor emergencies , the "nice to have" stuff and some capability for disaster. Defence is a Ka-Bar/Dozier folder and
B&K neck knife. Sometimes I add OC spray. Minor emergencies is migraine meds , a couple of knuckle band aids, a large band aid , antibiotic ointment, cortisone cream, betadyne wipe, alcohol wipe. Nice to have stuff is buttons needles, floss, backup $1.00 keychain light, whistle, SAK card, swiss tool, P-38, $1.00 mini strobe. Also carry a surefire light and SOG multi tool as well as cell phone, $ wallet and keys with the usual compass, Photon light, whistle. The EDC stuff fits into what is at work and what's in the mini van. So all together I could camp for a couple of days.

Interestingly, I was just thinking about this. Today is Day 2 wearing slacks with no pockets. I don't normally wear a belt, and considering the weather, no blazer either. In doing an inventory, it appears that the only piece of emergency equipment I have physically on my person is my cell phone. Mind you, my purse with all of my gear is within reach, but I'm not going to have that with me when I'm walking through the office.

My EDC items are moronically simple and most of them stay in my purse. But I do like to have my lighter, mini-mag and pocketknife on me at all times. Of the three, the knife; a simple 2" pointed blade lockback folder, gets the most use opening containers, cutting the strapping on copier paper boxes, and so forth.

Now I'm looking at a way to modify the plastic spring-clip cell phone holder so that I can attach the mini-mag and lighter to it and make it more useful.

The items I carry in my pocket are tools with immediate use; a blade for cutting/opening, a flashlight for illumination (I've been caught in the bathroom during blackouts. It gets DARK in there!) and the lighter for not only basic firemaking but also for any of the other uses to which lighters are put. Well, except for smoking, which I do not do. My only addiction is chocolate and as far as I know that indulgence is still legal.

If I change my cell phone carry case (suggestions welcomed!) to be able to carry other items, a band-aid or two would certainly be included as well as something for pain. Anything more than that and I may as well bring my purse, which has more gear and supplies.

If you count the stuff in my purse, I can do the following:

Treat minor injuries
Repair clothing/sew buttons
Take notes (pens and paper)
Save computer files (USB drive)
Work miracles with clear duct tape
Take notes and look up information (Palm Pilot)
Manually cut and paste (ruler and X-acto blade)
Wash (Purell/handy wipes/PocketSuds)
Open cans and eat (P38 with spoon)
Repair/open things (multi-tool)
Entertain (travel chess set)
Buy things (cash/cards)
Save my life (firearm)
Set things on fire
See in the dark
Cut things

And this is a small purse. I used to carry even more things until my chiropractor told me to cut it out. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

~Sarah

If the average person carried some type of light and knife,they would be miles ahead of where they are now.

For me light,knife,cell phone,plenty of cash.Now I often have more but those are the minimum for me.

Some scoff at cell phones because during 911 they we're of little use to most.Remember this most things you'll face will be along the lines of putting your car in a ditch,getting stuck in an elevator etc.and yor cell will work fine.

We get 1/3 of our 911 calls come from cells.This means help comes quicker(nobody has to go home to make the call)we now get many back up calls.This means better info on location,number of people involved,type of injuries etc.

Sarah,

Excellent post !! That is exactly what I was looking for... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I was also thinking along the exact same lines...a knife, flashlight and fire...these three things should be a MINIMUM basic trio to assist in MANY of our day to day routine "emergencies". I was also wondering if maybe a multitool such as the Wave might be a "better" basic item than the knife...I feel that as long as I had a Wave, a good small flashlight, like a small SureFire, and a quality lighter I would have the best "basic" tools necessary to see me through many situations.





My IDEAL "Basic-3" Set-up <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Let's look at this as Army Basic Training -- what would your basic issue be? Not all of the other personal things you would add, but the beginning basics to your EDC...I think these 3 would be the perfect basics to build on...

my keychain is edc consist acr whistle,swiss tech utilikey,screwall,photon,pulsar(in case someone else needs it),and mini buck plus a wave and princeton attitude

Dan-e-boy,

With my EDC, I should be able to:

Start a fire (lighter, matches, mag bar, tinder tabs, trick candle)
Sew on a button (needles, dental floss)
Get drinking water (Potable Aqua, aluminum foil, oven bag)
Pay for a cab ride (cash)
Order off of the internet (credit card)
Get cash from an ATM (ATM card)
Tighten a screw (Wave)
Cut paper (Wave)
Shelter from a rainstorm (garbage bag, paracord)
Open a can (P38)
Signal for help (featherweight mirror)
Keep dust out of face (dust mask)
Light my way in a movie theater (flashlight)
Dress appropriately for a Sex Pistols concert (safety pins)
Pay a bill (checks)
Post a letter (stamps)
Read fine print (fresnel lens)
Write in the rain (rite in the rain paper, pencil stub)
Trim nails (nail clipper)
Take out a splinter (tweezers)
Do expedient repairs (duct tape)

I'm sure I could do more, but that's a start.

I always have pockets. Stuffed pockets.

The wallet contains cash, cards, and ID; in addition to a 1/8" x 2" ferro rod, several bandaids and a packet of antibiotic ointment, a Brunton Survival Card, and several pieces of TinderQuik.

Next to the wallet rides a Victorinox Pioneer w/ saw, tethered to a belt loop with a homemade watch chain. If I'm headed into the city, the Pioneer might get replaced by a Leatherman Pulse multitool on my belt, opposite a charged Glock M27 and beside a spare Glock magazine.

One front pocket carries a BIC or Cricket lighter and a small vial with a couple days worth of essential personal meds and a bottle of breath freshener.

Another front pocket carries a Victorinox Classic and a pocket clip equipped locking folder du jour. Sometimes the Classic will be replaced with a slipjoint folder with significant olde time appeal.

The remaining back pocket carries two bandanas; one bright colored, the other earth toned.

If I have a watch pocket, there rests an ARC AAA and a Fisher Space Pen.

My key ring holds a Traser Glowring, Photon III, and a whistle.

I have a Suunto compass on my watchband and my cellular in a Maxpedition CP-S pouch on my belt. A pair of sunglasses rides on an EK strap around my neck.

Whatever jacket I have with me will have a minikit and a pair of leather gloves in it's pockets.

That's when I'm traveling light ...

M <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I have had many many knives and continue to have a loving fascination with bladed weapons. My mother gave my my first mother-of-pearl handled pocketknife when I was around twelve years old with the admonition that "a lady always carries a blade."

I love my mother!

The three things I carry in my pocket are specifically selected to be unobtrusive and lightweight. In a corporate environment, hauling out a Leatherman can make the administrative types start looking askance and that can be detrimental to my continued employment.

I prefer the subtle. My pocketknife is silver and black, the lighter is black, and the maglite is black. Very "executive" looking and all three can be easily concealed in my hand.

~Sarah

Sarah,

Read some of the stories of WTC survivors and you'll see why I carry the gear I've selected.

One of the new Leatherman Juice models; in a "friendly," non-threatening color format might be a good choice as a knife supplement. A Swiss Army Knife, with appropriate tool selection, may also be a good non-threatening choice to supplement your well thought out handbag supplies...

M

Hi Sarah - There is a way to attach your Minimag to the phone clip.
2AA collar
Swivel button
I haven't used one of these collars on a Minimag, but I bought a different flashlight from someone who had attached a brass button. Although I don't use it with the phone belt clip often, it's an interesting option and some folks find it quite handy.
While you're looking at options for your Minimag, you might consider some of the LED modules the same vendor offers.
I don't have any ties to the vendor, but I've bought some of his "Drop in 2AA Flashlight Modules" and been very impressed with the output. More powerful light output than a standard Minimag at the cost of battery life (many options in the 2-hour battery life ballpark). A second LED option for your Minimag is the Opalec Newbeam module - three small LEDs give a very usable amount of light for about 8 hours with new batteries.
And, for good info on flashlights, try www.candlepowerforums.com - a very good Web community with lots of overlap with ETS.
Dave

Niteize (I think that's the correct spelling) cellphone/GPS/PDA/gadget carrier... I got one for my cell phone a couple of years ago and it houses: phone, mag solitaire, lighter, signal mirror, magnesium bar/striker, 1/2 hacksaw blade for cutting/use as scraper/striker with mag bar, and a small two blade folder/gents knife...not to mention some spare "emergency" cash. It's a great little belt hanger, got mine at Target.

Troy

id say my bare minimum is:
small knife
small light (like a photon knock off)
lighter
cell phone
cash of course

mostly because its the summer and i wear alot of short (no cargo shorts right now), and i cant carry too much or else my pockets look like im carrying even more then i am and reaching into them for a specific item is a pain.

when im wearing jeans i use alot of clips and a few pouches on my belt.

but i sweat like an animal so traveling light in summer is a must.

Sarah, your mother sounds really cool and must know mine...

I looked at the EDC(Every Day Crap) I had in my pockets -

Vic Multitool with multi screws - I fix computers for a living and I can feild strip any computer with this.
Flashlight, LED kind, on a lanyard attatched to my belt
Candy, mints from a resturant
lemon soaked paper napkins... o.k., Pre-Moistened Towelettes
Wallet with cash, CC'S, Passport, resturant club cards... condom...
change, including 'out of country' coins
screws, paperclips, washers, rubber bands
needle and threads in almost empty wallet sewing kit
note pad and small pen

Oh, And the Belt and other clothes...


I Really need to clean out my pockets more often. It seems as though I do use most of these things almost every day. Except for fire(that would be in my purse... and we will not be going in there!), most everyday situations are covered in the EDC. Would a soldering iron count for fire?

Rena

survivalgene wrote:

"I looked at the EDC(Every Day Crap) I had in my pockets -"

LOL that comment made me smile it also made me check my own pockets, that didn't make me smile.

I won't be able to think of EDC in the same light from now on, shame on you <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thank you, thank you.

There are times when I regret being my mother's daughter. I have pared down to a purse that only weighs 15 pounds, after I have cleaned out the recipt envelope and spare change. But then again, I have all of my contact's business cards, all of my pills for the next week, and too many knives.

<img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The philosiphy I was brought up with included being able to use everything you have, kinda like a good butcher, but for life.

I'm just wondering what to do with the collection of washers and stuff I keep picking up off roadways. I am such a magpie.

Rena

SurvivalGene

I have the packrat mentality too. I hoard little things that "might be useful someday." Alas, I have been admonished to keep the junk down to just one (super-wide) drawer in the kitchen. The other copy-paper boxes full of stuff in the computer room don't count...! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, the packratted things have come in quite useful on many an occasion so now my hoarding habit isn't seen as such the mental disease as it once was. Thank goodness I'm a cubicle dweller now - there's little temptation aside from rubber bands and binder clips. But when I was a PC tech, oh yes! The things I'd slip into my pockets! I even had a junk drawer at work (which came with me when I left) full of plastic/metal/wood/glass/etc. bits of who knows what.

I was quite conservative in equipping my BOB with little "needful things" like self-adhesive velcro strips. That's all I'll admit to right now. The poor thing is stuffed to exploding as it is.

I refuse to inventory the flotsam which was settled to the bottom of my purse. I consider it "padding" and leave it at that. And old receipts? That's.. um... tinder! Yeah! <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

~Sarah

Sarah mentioned:


Take a look at www.ripoffs.com then click on the "cellphone" link. They have a great variety of carrying pouches for EDC items. All their pouches are available with either a belt loop or stout metal clip. Admittedly, most of their products wouldn't blend too well in a corporate environment, but I think you'd be OK with the cellphone pouches.

Love your avatar, by the way!

As an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM you must carry a sharp knife with at least a 3? blade.

With the right skills you can do a lot with a knife. Of course with the right skills and what can ?almost? always be easily found in both urban and rural environments you can easily make a knife too although, with a few exceptions (obsidian/rural or glass/urban comes to mind), it probably wont be razor sharp.

You asked what the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM was and I?d say that is it? with the right knowledge and experience that is. I always have a knife with me except when on a commercial aircraft.

Now with that said, I always carry more but you didn?t ask what I carry so I'll save that for another post. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Glock-A-Roo, thank you for the link to the cell phone cases. I will take a look and see what works.


Can someone enlighten me as to the uses of the two bandanas? I think I have most of it figured out, but I'd like to compare my mental list against the comments of others to see if I'm as clever as I think I am.

~Sarah

Well, I know that I would have a bright one for being seen, and one for not... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you want to be found, a bright bandanna can be worn, put out a window, tied to a tree - many different ways, including tearing it for tracer strips.

The earth toned one... all sorts of things. hair tie, broach, pteridactyl (bwahhh, bwahhh)

Sorry, too much T.V. in formative years.

Any cloth can be used for:
straining water/liquid
Filtering air for breathing
holding small items(from gathering in your area)
compress or turniquet(spelling, bad!) in emergency
map(like the silk ones for pilots)
Signaling

and other things...

Rena

I usually carry wallet, keys, cell phone (if I remember it), ballpoint pen, small notebook for writing stuff like phone numbers, and my wristwatch. The key ring has a Photon II (LED light) and Spyderco Jester knife (2" lockback). The knife is a fairly recent addition. I just can't see needing most of the stuff mentioned in this thread in a normal urban environment.

do-rag,
sling,
head band,
wash cloth,
pot holder,
hand towel,
emergency feminine hygiene product,
dunk bag,
dip net,
compression bandage,
gear rag,
and maybe more ...

M

Maxpedition Hard Use Gear makes some awesome cellular carriers ...



While the CP-S will only carry the phone; the M2 and others in the series will carry a cellular, PDA, and a host of other essentials. The M2 is available in black, camo, or the OD as shown. In the M2 shown; there's a GPS, a Leatherman Pulse, a minikit, a StreamLight 2L Twin Task Light, and some sunscreen ...

M

Most are preparing for when the normal urban environment changes. Most of us are preparing for scenarios from a major natural disater, terrorist threat, urban uprising to less immediate threats such as a power outage.

I think it's not to hard to argue that you can get through a normal day with out any special equipement but I'm looking ahead to the day when things are far from normal.

My EDC is very minimal:

Leatherman Wave and mini-Bic lighter (carried in front pants pocket.)

Photon III (on keyring)

12' 550# paracord and $35.00 emergency cash (stashed in wallet.)

Of course I am almost never more than 100' from my pickup with its well-stocked BOB.

Regards, Vince

Lots of great ideas here....but.
I assume that a governmental/municipal bldg. may be a target of a terrorist attack. There are almost none here which I've been able to freely enter with ANY knife larger than the SAK on my keychain (1 3/4" blade) and many places won't allow that. So, sadly, my EDC has to be bladeless.
I've had NO PROBLEMS.. anywhere.. with Doug's new kit, once I removed needles, pins, and scalpel blade. And, replaced with a bic and photonII.

That is a consideration - knives and tools can be considered wepons when trying to enter secured areas. And many of the savvy security people do not take kindly to ceramics.

I have heard that there is a bill being proposed in Michigan to outlaw multi tools. Multiple blade locking knives, I think is what it is going after. Even for tourists.

I didn't know that there was a screener at the border there...

Rena <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

My EDC has changed drastically over the last 9 months.

It used to be:

1) Sidearm + spare magazine
2) Switchblade (high quality)
3) Mini-Mag
4) Leatherman Tool
5) Zippo
6) Keys
7) Cell phone

Recently I've deleted:

1) Sidearm + Magazine
2) Switchblade (Though in EMS I'm finding I'm gravitating back towards it for rapid extrication when you only have one hand free)
5) Zippo (Mostly because I don't want to lose it. Had a bad experience with TSA recently when they Confiscated one of my lighters For My Own Safety - it was expensive. I was NOT amused.)

I'll probably stuff an el-cheapo lighter in my pocket and go with the rest of the new list. That's about all I can remember to put from one pair of pants to the other.

I hate to admit it, but Sarah is more prepared, equipment wise, than I am.

Panz

well aside from the reasons mentioned, you can wipe your face and head with the bright one and your bottom with the brown one so you dont mix them up.

A story that may amuse you folks:

The very day I remove my Wave from my kit because I never use it, the electric locks on the driver's door of my car freeze up. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I was in our parking lot, having just pulled in. My wife was with me, and she got the pliers I bought for her out of her car, gave them to me, and I pried myself out. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The Wave is now where it used to be. On my belt. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, a little bit of kit I've assembled is composed of my Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II, a Photon Freedom Microlight Covert (white), and a Mini Fox 40 whistle. This rides in my front jeans pocket next to my wallet. It's a tiny rig that works well in an office environment. No one is surprised to see me hauling gear out of various pockets anyway.

Another thing I've grown to love carrying is my Princeton Tec Impact II. The built-in clip is great. Clips to the outside of my front jeans pocket. Handy as all get-out. I've already used it to walk the dog at night, look for stuff under car seats, and inspect some minor flooding in a friend's basement.

One more piece of gear that's nice to have is a pair of leather gloves. I usually keep a pair in the inside breast pocket of whatever jacket I'm wearing. Since the weather is too warm for jackets, I still may carry my jacket, but I moved the gloves to my right rear jeans pocket. Right in back of my bandanna. Having gloves on your person, rather than having to go find a pair, is handier than you might think.

With the paranioa that exists today, you may end up getting questioned about having gloves on your person on a warm day as possibly wanting to use them for a burglary. Remember not many people have our mindset, not even police officers.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

The next step will be to oblige people to have their teeth removed !

Then a new regulation will be enforced : before boarding a plane, check your false teeth with your luggage.
So that nobody can hijack a plane, by threatening to bite a hostess.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Frenchy:

I would really hate to see that as threatening to bite the hostess always got me better service during and after the flight.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ha !!!
yes, I didn't think of this.
Biting an hostes could be the beginning of an S & M relationship .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Frenchy:

How did you know I always tell them my name is Sam and that I have a preference for hostesses named Mary?

You must be pyscho-something or other.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have a friend who works in an office building that implemented a "no knife entry" rule. He solved the problem by FedEx'ing himself duplicates of the items that he is no longer allowed to carry in the door. He says that he would rather face the consequences of having the items at work when he needs them, than face the consequences of not having them when there needed to survive.

How do they open boxes?

Thats a great point. I can only imagine that there is specific instructions in the building rules and regulations. It would probably read like this:

Thomas Building North Operational Policy
Chapter 37
Section 112.943
Paragraph 273.1-4

"Any opening of boxes with a sharp instrument will be carried out only by those that are trained, and authorized to use box opening devises. Only "Opening Agents" (OA) shall be permitted to open said items. The devices include but are not limited to: knives, box cutters, razor blades, letter openers, steak knives, table knives, multi tools, any sharp object, etc..

Any person not authorized to use such items on the premises shall have his/her boxes opened by contacting an authorized OA on their floor.

To locate your OA you can find the necessary request forms in the building administrator's office.

The names and license numbers, along with a copy of photo ID, of all current OA's are located in a sealed container in the main security office."

I carry stuff to keep me from being annoyed by life's little mishaps.

- Money - cures most ills, you need at least $100 to really matter
- A decent swiss army knife knife - fixes SO many problems
- A small flashlight (LED only) - so useful in so many ways
- A lighter - even if you don't smoke, a lighter comes in handy for me at least 3 times a week.
- Some sort of writing implent that does not mind rain - a pencil or Industrial sharpie
- Something to make a loud noise - I use a whistle, but a pen cap works too.

I have a few scaleable versions of this setup. Under normal everyday situations, you'll find me with:

A Leatherman Wave - that's my knife of choice, I own two of them, in case I have to fly, I ship one to myself!

An Innova X5 - this is a great light, I use it all the time

A Plain old Bic Lighter

A sharpie (the far superior "Industrial Version", which is not annoyed by water)

I add to this:
- A 4" Crecent Wrench - Because the Leatherman tool can't really handle nuts effectively.

- Two spare CR123 batteries (because you can't always find 123's everywhere)

- A ceramic knife sharpener

- A fox 40 (on my key chain)

To scale my minimal set to even smaller level, here's what I use:

- A "Tinker" SAK
- A Princeton Tec Eclipse LED keycahin light
- A mini-bic lighter
- A ballpoint pen cap on the key chain
- A pencil stub



That's really the core setup - no fishing kits,

I have heard tell that partial wits are fairly sharp objects.

I'm sure they have a lot of half-wits to work with at such a place.

Bountyhunter

True enough. But then again, I am always moving furniture around. Plus, if there is no fly-swatter handy, they're excellent for killing flies and pesky bees!

Hitting flies with a gloved hand doesn't offer much challange.

Try catching them between your teeth for sharpening your eye and movement coordination.

A side benefit is the gagging and vomiting you will do until you get used to the taste. Good way to lose weight quick.

You want to be careful to not let any flies up your nose as you lunge at them with your teeth.

Gives a whole new meaning to being "Buzzed", but at least you won't get a DUI ticket for being "Buzzed".

To alleviate the possibility of them going up your sinus cavity and trying to work their way out the area between your eye and the bridge of your nose, put a little powdered sugar on the nose hairs so that the flies will stay near the end of your nose, and you can than blow them clear.

A side benefit of the powdered sugar on the nose hairs is if a cop pulls you over for acting weird in your car while trying to expell a fly from your nose, he will notice the powdered sugar on your nose hairs and figure you are an off duty cop and will probably let you off without so much as a warning ticket.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You must REALLY LOVE the Boys in Blue (but for the most part, I can't argue with ya). <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, I wouldn't hit them with a gloved hand. I get fantastic results by holding the cuff in my fingers and simply flicking/swinging the glove at them. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Love the boys in blue, but fighting political correctness requires that I streotype someone, and all the other groups (Yes, even Californians.) would have a bird if I picked on them, whereas the cops I associate with know when I am serious.

I gotta stay on their good side as they are my most group specific buyers for those Italian stilettoes I sell.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Dan-e-boy,

Just emptying my pockets and listing :

- left cargo :
-> tobacco
-> paper
-> lighter (cheap butane, adjustable, non-chilproof, non-piezo-electric, clear and brightly colored one)

- right cargo :
-> bandana (tan with the classical bandana pattern on it)
-> 6m/18ft of 550, 7 strands paracord
-> small, flat roll of duct tape

- right front pocket:
-> Old spyderco (looks like the ancestor of an Endura), with hollow grind reprofiled to a hollow scandi edge (cuts like HELL!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

While in town, add the waist "banana" bag containing :
- wallet
- cell phone
- some more paracord
- some more duct tape
- paper phone book with a few extra pages and lead pencil inserted in the spiral
- leatherman Wave
- another lighter

As I live in a pretty remote place (156 peaceful and lovely people in my town), self-defense is not a big issue. I'm still being cautious and aware, but I don't need a defensive light or a gun, really. The last attack I had to deal with here was the neighbor's kid's snowball (the little bas... hit me in the nose <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />).

Cheers,

David

I'll empty my pockets in to this thread as well. I am always looking for suggestions on how to improve what I carry and happy to help by maybe giving someone else a good idea. I live and work in an urban environment in a large city. My office has a very casual dress code (I usually wear shorts and hiking boots).

Here is my EDC:

- Timex Helix Watch (Compass, Altimeter, Barometer, Thermometer and much more)
- SOG PowerLock MutliTool (IMO there is no better multi-tool than this one if youre willing to deal with the 9.6oz weight)
- Poton II White LED Light (amazingly bright, small and lightwieght)
- Permanent Match Fire Starter (not the highest quality lighter in the world but it works and it sure is tiny)
- 3 Katadyn Micropur Water Purification Tablets
- Large (3 liter/8# max) Reynolds Oven Bag (largest and most compact water storage I can find)
- Small Flint Rod (removed from a Coglhans magnesium fire starter)
- Small Aluminum Tube with 3 days worth or prescription meds.

All of the above items are either tucked away in my Eagle Creak zipper wallet or attached to my keychain via a small carinbiner. The only exceptions being the SOG which is on my belt and the watch which is on my wrist.