Every person, man or woman, should carry an EDC kit, also known as an everyday carry kit. They are an essential part of urban survival and allow you to be fully prepared to tackle anything that may come your way.
While there are a number of essentials to include in your EDC kit, you have the freedom to add any additional items to meet your unique personal needs and preferences. These can consist of a disposable vape, makeup for touch-ups, hair accessories, and an extra pair of shoes, among other things.
Reusable Water Bottle
You never want to be caught without water, even if it is only for a few hours. Whether it is a scorching hot summer day or a chilly winter evening, ensuring you have a safe source of water is an important inclusion in any everyday essentials kit.
Not only will a reusable water bottle ensure you stay hydrated and healthy, but it will also help you lower your single-use plastic waste, which is an essential part of reducing your carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment.
Mini First-Aid Kit
You don’t need to bring a fully stocked first-aid kit with you every time you leave the house. There is a fine line between well-prepared and complete overkill, which can be perfectly balanced by carrying a mini first-aid kit.
The essentials of any basic kit should include adhesive bandages, waterproof band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tape, tweezers, painkillers, antihistamines, small scissors, and any prescription medication you may take. You should regularly assess the contents of your kits, check for expiration dates, and pick up any supplies you are running low on.
Furthermore, include a small but warm emergency blanket to keep chilly temperatures at bay and a bandana, which can be used to make a tourniquet, filter water, and protect your lungs from harmful air pollution.
Toiletry Kit
Packing a small and stocked toiletry bag in your EDC kit is a fantastic way to ensure you feel fresh and clean no matter where you are and what you have access to. To save on space and convenience, it is best to include only the absolute essentials, including extra sanitary products, wet wipes, floss, tissues, hand sanitizer, and roll-on deodorant.
Avoid aerosol cans as they can be at risk of exploding in hot weather, posing a significant risk. Additionally, include chapsticks, which are not only beneficial for taking care of chapped lips but can be used on stubborn zippers, patching small holes, and preventing unwanted blisters.
Emergency Money
While the world may be moving towards a cashless society, you should never leave home without a small amount of emergency money. You do not need a large amount of spare cash lying around, but it is essential to have enough to cover emergency situations like unplanned fuel stops, public transport, emergency supplies, or instances when your bank card goes missing, gets stolen, or stops working.
In case your purse or bag is stolen, your emergency fund should be stored in an alternative place, preferably somewhere that can be carried on your person.
Flashlight
All modern smartphones come with handy built-in flashlight capabilities. But if you find yourself stranded somewhere unfamiliar and far from home, your first instinct will be to conserve as much battery power as possible to ensure you have a reliable way to contact emergency services and family.
Instead, you should include a small tactical flashlight in your kit. Unlike traditional flashlights, these variations are brighter and studier and can be used to disorient people or animals when needed. Ensure you include an additional stash of batteries to guarantee you are never left in the dark.
Multi-Tool
One of the best inclusions for any everyday kit is the incredibly handy and versatile multi-tool. It can be used to fix a broken child’s toy, open challenging packages and containers, remove splinters, and help you get back inside should you ever lock yourself out of your house.
Traditional multi-tools are compact in size and typically come equipped with scissors, bottle openers, screwdrivers, pliers, tweezers, and a blade. They are ideal for use in an emergency, and many of the added tools can be used to fend off anyone who may try to attack you.
Powerbank
What use is a phone if its battery has run out? The only surefire way to ensure your phone remains working and functional is to pack a charged power bank and connection cable. Regularly check the charge of your power bank before heading out to keep you connected throughout the day, especially if you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time.
Fire Starter
Although it may not have crossed your mind before, including a fire starter in your EDC will allow you to feel fully prepared for anything life may throw at you. You truly never know when you will need a small fire to boil water, cook food, or keep you warm during the night.
An essential survival tool for many hikers is a ferro rod, which is waterproof, extremely durable, and can produce extremely hot sparks to tackle even the most stubborn tinder. However, if you are not comfortable using this device, including several packs of waterproof matches will be a welcomed sight should they ever be needed.
