The following is my standard EDC presented for your feedback, suggestions, and constructive (or just downright viscous) criticism. Like most of us here, my EDC items change from time to time, although this particular core group has remained pretty consistent for me. I haven’t included my mobile phone, PDA, laptop, or other work-related items as most of us all have them, and pretty much know what they look like.

My approach toward preparedness involves a series of increasingly comprehensive stand-alone modules, starting with my standard EDC at the top of the pyramid, then my supplemental EDC, a Go Bag, various vehicle kits, a GHB, my BoB (that I continually add/subtract individual modules to adapt to a particular situation), an INCH bag, and finally a safe room in my home where most everything is kept (along with several items that are simply too large/heavy/impractical to ever become mobile).

My standard EDC (at least as I choose to define it here) are items that I consistently have in my pockets anytime that I venture outside my neighborhood. It does not include food, water, shelter, or the numerous other items that I carry in my laptop shoulder bag (when I actually use one), my Go Bag (which is always within close reach of me whether at home, in the car, or at the office) or the specialty items that I routinely carry when I venture into the wilderness. I absolutely hate bulk, and while the following might appear to be quite a bit of stuff, the standard EDC items are all quite light and actually lay very flat in my pockets.

So what exactly am I preparing for you might ask? Beats me, but I do know that the mere act of preparing addresses some primitive need/urge/desire I have to hoard cool little trinkets, gadgets, and gizmos. Being prepared also helps me worry about things a whole lot less, and provides the confidence that I will be able to deal with whatever scenario may arise.

So with all that self-pontificating rhetorical garbage out of the way, I humbly present for your review my standard (along with a bit of my supplemental) EDC:



Starting at the top and working clockwise around the image I have:

Gerber Magnum LST Jr. knife, 2 3/4” locking blade
Gerber Seal ‘n Go sterile storage bag (will hold approximately 12 oz of water)
Keychain with:

• Car and house key
  
• Photon Freedom Micro LED flashlight
  
• ResQME mini rescue tool
  
• Victorinox coupling key fob, quick release (male portion only)

OTC medications, including:

• 4 x Imodium A-D, Loperamide HCl, 2 mg, Anti-Diarrheal
  
• 4 x Tylenol, Acetaminophen, 500 mg, Analgesic
  
• 8 x Motrin IB, Ibuprofen USP, 200 mg, Anti-Inflammatory
  
• 3 x Benadryl, Diphenhydramine HCl, 25 mg, Antihistamine
  
• 2 x Sudafed PE, Phenylephrine HCl, 10 mg, Decongestant

Mini Bic lighter
Micro survival kit (“MSK”)

If you haven’t seen one before, the bright yellow ResQME mini rescue tool is designed to take the place of those big, heavy, funky orange SAR hammers that you’re supposed to bolt down to your center console so that you can escape from a fiery/watery/agonizing death while otherwise trapped in your vehicle. Given the extreme unlikelihood I’ll ever actually need to use one of these things (either to extricate myself or another motorist from a vehicle) this is about the most weight that I’m willing to EDC. For what it is, it’s actually a pretty well made little tool:



Shown here removed from the quick-disconnect, a razor-edged seat belt cutter is exposed, while the opposite end features a spring-loaded center punch that is used to shatter the side window.

The MSK shown below (2.5” x 3” x 1/2” weighing only 68g) contains the following (clockwise from the top left corner):



2” x 2” gauze pad
Burn cooling gel
OTC medications dosage information
BSA firesteel
Nylon cord, 10.5 lb test, 50’
BCB 20mm button compass
2 x Duct tape with removable backing, 2” x 18” each
Dynarex alcohol prep pad
Emergency fishing kit (2 x #6 hooks, 2 x ball bearing snap/swivels, 12” wire wound leader)
Triple antibiotic ointment
2 x Tinder-Quik tabs
2 x Band-aids, 5/8” x 2 1/4”
4 x Butterfly closures
BCB Howler whistle
Victorinox® Minichamp SAK:

• Small blade
  
• Scissors
  
• Nail file
  
• Nail cleaner
  
• Cuticle pusher
  
• Emergency blade (Letter Opener)
  
• Flat Screwdriver
  
• Phillips Screwdriver
  
• Wire Stripper
  
• Orange peeler
  
• Scraper
  
• Bottle opener
  
• Ruler
  
• Tweezers
  
• Toothpick
  
• Key ring attachment

Blistex medicated lip ointment, 0.5g
Dr. Ken’s dental floss, 18”

Keep in mind this mini FAK is simply to treat minor cuts/scrapes/burns and manage infection. After taking the picture I realized that you can’t see the alcohol prep pad – it is stored between the two sheets of duct tape. I almost always have a very comprehensive IFAK or trauma bag within reach, so this kit is really more to hold me over if I fold over a fingernail in the elevator.

I generally wear TNF Paramount convertible pants, so the Gerber is located in the RH vertical slit pocket, the keychain and mini Bic lighter are in the right front pocket, the MSK in the right front zippered pocket, and a second mini Bic lighter with an o-ring around the top to prevent accidental discharge of butane (not shown) and the OTC medications are carried in the left front pocket. I carry two lighters for the simple reason that I smoke, so the first is the one that I use daily, while the second one remains unused (insuring that I always have a full lighter if needed).

Although not truly EDC by my definition, I generally carry a Glock G27 .40 S&W with two spare magazines anytime that I leave the house, although more often than not it stays in the car while I am at the office, traveling by air to an event, or if I’m meeting with customers/clients.



The paddle holster and concealment mag holster are both leather, and made by Safariland. The Glock has been slightly modified with the addition of an extended magazine release, and self-illuminating Trijicon night sights. The two spare magazines both feature Pearce Plus 1 (10 round) grip extensions, whereas the primary mag does not (for improved concealment). Ammo is typically 155 or 180 gr Federal Premium Hydra-Shok’s, or Hydra-Shok’s alternating with 165 gr Winchester FMJ rounds during the winter months (when the bad guys are wearing heavier or layered clothes).

The reason for the (male only) Victorinox coupling key fob on my keychain is that I have several additional keychains grouped by activity that are not routinely carried, although can be quickly deployed based on what my plans are for that particular day. Each of these “supplemental” keychains have a corresponding (female portion only) Victorinox key fob for quick/easy attachment.

The first supplemental EDC is my “wilderness survival” keychain:



Victorinox coupling key fob, quick release (female portion only)
Carabiner (not rated for climbing)
Silva Forecaster compass with thermometer
Fox 40 whistle
Victorinox® Minichamp SAK
BSA firesteel & striker
Swiss+Tech Utili-Key UST:

• #1 Flat Screwdriver
  
• #1 Phillips Screwdriver
  
• Eyeglass Screwdriver
  
• Straight Blade Knife
  
• Serrated Blade Knife
  
• Bottle Opener

IMS-Plus Spy Capsule, 1 1/2" x 1/2" Dia., 12 x Potable Aqua water purification tablets

As you can see, several of these items are actually redundant to my standard EDC items – this is obviously one of the most significant drawbacks to preparing stand-alone modules, not to mention the additional cost due to purchasing duplicate items.

Next, I have an “urban survival” version:



Tekna Micro Knife, 1 1/2" blade
Smith & Wesson handcuff key
Monadnock flat ended Kubotan, 5 1/2" x 5/8" DIA.
Victorinox coupling key fob, quick release (female portion only)
Fox OC Defense Spray, 2% Oleoresin Capsicum, 5.3MM Scoville Heat Units
Photon Freedom Micro LED flashlight

This keychain is deployed when I’m traveling through the seedy parts of town, going downtown to the stadium to watch a game, or otherwise simply in the company of people that I’m not 100% sure about. Not surprisingly, if I’m carrying the “urban survival” keychain, you can bet I’m probably wearing the Glock as well.

While the Gerber LST and the Tekna are great little knives, neither of them were ever intended for urban combat, so I typically add my CRKT Sting boot knife to round out my options with regard to the force pyramid:





While certainly not a large knife (3.25” blade, 7” OAL) I would certainly not want to be on the pointy end of it. The Cordura nylon/Zytel sheath has an integral retention clip that allows the knife to be carried upside down on the inside of my left calf, well concealed, yet very readily accessible.

- To Be Continued -