To rephrase your point Erik: "What is never more than arms reach from your body in the back country." This also implies what is on you.

My EDC is such that it is always within 3' of me. Either in my pack or on my body. An EDC is by definition something that is carried on the body.

For example: a solider has a large ruck sack with all the things they did for their time in the field. However on their person are things they will never be without if they drop their ruck or can't get to it. Some of these are on their vests or in a buttpack or in pockets.

That being said, My EDC is ON me not in my pack. Part of my EDC is a RSK Mk1, a leatherman and a small gerber folder, not to mention a B-52 can opener. If I am thrown in the water, run down by a bear, suddenly surrounded by ninja's, these items would stay on me, unless I suddenly started throwing off my clothes. If I lost one then I have a back up.

and oh yes, something like my RSK Mk1 would be dummy-corded to my body.