Besides handgun/magazines, what should be in EDC kit?

[Skribs]

Excluding your handgun, any backup guns or magazines, and the obvious (belt, wallet, keys, cell phone), what do you guys think should be in the everyday carry kit?

For me, I add pens (2, because if I have 2 I keep em both, if I have 1 I lose it), flashlight (although I don't have one yet), and a pocket knife to the list.

Please note, if you want to list specifics, that's fine, but I'm more looking for the generic parts to cover and a discussion of why that part is important to carry.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Sounds pretty good to me. Fire is always good to be able to make sometimes. Maybe a little striker thingy somehow.
I always carry a pen also. It's funny/odd how many don't.

 

[Jeff White]

I think it depends greatly on your lifestyle. I carry quite a bit off duty when I am in the county I work in. That is just in case I would have to take some kind of action off duty.

I carry a lot less off duty when away from my jurisdiction because my response to an incident would be very different where I had no duty to act.

As a minimum when off duty and away from my jurisdiction I carry a SW Model 36 in a pocket holster w/5 extra rounds on a speed strip, wallet w/badge and ID, Emerson CQC-8, cell phone, keys etc.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Moved from ST&T to Handguns, as it's more hardware oriented...

 

[zoom6zoom]

Added to the above,
Kershaw Leek
Flashlight (generally a Fenix PD31)
encrypted flash drive with copies of important documents.
Compact 2 meter band handheld amateur radio.
Med-Alert bracelet.

 

[Skribs]

encrypted flash drive with copies of important documents.

That's an interesting thing to keep on you, I've never heard of people doing this.

What is a Kershaw Leek? I've also not heard of everyday civilians carrying a radio in their EDC.

 

[browningguy]

Besides the normal wallet and keys, I have a pocket knife my pistol and one spare mag. I'm not sure what would have to happen for me to start carrying a "kit".

 

[Plan2Live]

That's an interesting thing to keep on you, I've never heard of people doing this.

Skribs, even though there are valid reasons for doing this, it brushes up against shtf and teotwawki which is banned here. Same for the HAM radio.

A Kershaw Leek is a popular folding pocketknife designed by Ken Onion.

Other than keys, wallet, cellphone, pistol and spare mag(s) I don't carry anything else on my person. Never carry more than you can swim with. I do have other items in my truck like flashlights, knives, multi-tools, fire starting supplies, etc. etc. etc. but I keep all that in a backpack. I've watched enough episodes of McGyver that I think I can get by with a paper clip, a rubber band and some pocket lint until I work my way back to my truck and backpack.

 

[fastbolt]

To some extent, it really depends on where I anticipate my activities to take me throughout the day or evening, as well as the type of clothing I'm going to be wearing (especially regarding pockets).

Aside from the obvious things, I typically find it handy to carry at least a light (size & strength varies), 2 folding knives (sometimes more), some antibacterial wipes, a couple of bandaids, a pen (size and stoutness can vary) & maybe a pocket notebook.

If the afternoon or evening plans include stopping by a cigar club or lounge, then add a couple of different cutters and a torch.

I do have an assortment of "kits" in my car, ranging from loosely stored items (compartments), to pocket-size & belt kits, up to backpack & duffle bag size. Sometimes a couple or more of the loose items might be grabbed to supplement what I left the house carrying (or not carrying) in my pockets.

 

[MedWheeler]

Wallet (actually a badge case with necessary licenses/ID), firearm, sometimes a second firearm in lieu of a magazine, cellphone with camera, and a patrol/rescue knife (the kind with the window-punch nub and belt cutter in addition to its blade.
That's pretty much it for me. If I'm out walking the neighborhood at night, my 4-cell LED MagLight will also come along.
Lifestyle and environment will determine variables.

 

[481]

Besides what has been suggested....


Can't under-estimate the value of a small first-aid kit.

Doesn't have to be something super-elaborate, just some basic stuff- band-aids, antiseptic gel/spray, pain meds like Aleve, Advil, etc., maybe a day or twos's worth of meds if you happen to take any, gauze pads/adhesive tape, small container of saline solution/eyewash.

 

[guyfromohio]

For EDC? Maybe I'm a sheltered city-slicker, but I cannot imagine a scenario that I will need a flashlight, matches, and BUG between my house and the local grocer. Gun and holster..... for protection, not battle.

 

[back40]

guyfromohio- so you never leave your house at night?

for me a flashlight is an essential. i also typically carry a firearm, reload only if carrying a revolver, spydreco paramil, keys, wallet, and phone.

 

[smalls]

I've always got a small duffel bag full of spare clothes, and shoes in my trunk. I've gotten poured on enough times to realize it's a necessity for myself. The bag also contains ibuprofen, excedrin, some small tools and lighter, and a few other odds and ends.

Not quite a bug out bag, but just full of stuff I need frequently. Also not quite an every day "carry", but I'm in my car enough that it's almost always close. It also comes into work with me every day, and stores my pistol while I'm working, and is within 20 feet of me.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I've also not heard of everyday civilians carrying a radio in their EDC.

You must not know many hams.
It's not just for SHTF.

 

[Esoxchaser]

My truck always has two bags in it. One has spare clothes.The other has a first aid kit, a Marine radio with weather, a pair of Motorola 10X's, a couple of 3 AAA Streamlights. a Thermacell and liquid bug dope. Sunscreen, spare contacts and glasses, a first aid kit sharpening stone, and a couple knives, a Garmin GPS and small camera, some paracord, work gloves,pens, sharpies and sticky notes and an I-Pod with built in am/fm radio. Magnesium stick and a lighter. Spare batteries for anything in the bag (all AA & AAA)

 

[guyfromohio]

Sure.... vehicle has flashlight, lighter, gloves, etc.... but not on my person. "Every Day Carry", right?

 

[TJx]

Zip ties and duct tape are must haves on any not on your person kits for me.

 

[bikerdoc]

A small sharpening stone inaddition to a lot of the above.

 

[Sapper771]

I usually carry a phone, wallet, keys, watch, sunglasses ( safety glasses) chapstick, 380 pocket pistol w/one reload, CQC-8 knife, butane lighter (doesnt dry out like zippo), pen, pencil, flashlight, and a small length of 550 cord. If I am not at work, add a Glock 19 and one reload.

Yes, I carry a flashlight. It comes in handy more than you would think. Even during the day. The 550 cord is the same way. I have used it for a lot of things.

Like other have said, a form of fire is always good to carry. Bic lighters are pretty lightweight and can be stowed with your keys. I like a torch lighter. Nearly windproof ,very hot , and precise.

 

[skt239]

I don't carry much on my person. A gun, reload, very minimal wallet and my phone. I do have a man bag that I take with me but usually stays behind in the car. My bag has all kinds of stuff in it.

 

[KenW.]

If carrying my LEO creds: XD9sc, pocket knife, cell phone x2 (personal and work)little tiny tape measure on key ring, AA LED flashlight, golf pencil and small notebook. No cuffs off-duty.

If no LEO creds; SW m-36 and quick-strip, pocket knife, little tiny tape measure on key ring, AAA LED flashlight on key ring too, personal cell phone, golf pencil & notepad.


LOTS of other stuff in the truck.

 

[Skribs]

Yeah I have a few extra things in my car, i.e. rain gear, water, (should get some non-perishable food in there, and maybe some other things you bring up, not for SHTF but just normal preparedness) but I was mainly looking for EDC.

Radio I can understand if you're a police officer, but alas, I am not.

Sunglasses are only needed in WA for Road Construction season, so I don't carry them with me all the time. Guess that's another thing I have in my car list though.

I'm trying to think of a situation where I would need to create fire, being a city slicker who can't even start one in the fireplace. Can anyone enlighten me on this?

 

[trickyasafox]

always throw a few band-aids and an alcohol wipe into your wallet. lots of little bumps and cuts that are better fixed right away. I also always have a bottle opener in case there is an emergency need for libations. A good lighter and a decent cigar also goes into the mix for me a good amount of the time. That also means a cutter (depends on the cigar to dictate the type of cutter).

 

[Certaindeaf]

For EDC? Maybe I'm a sheltered city-slicker, but I cannot imagine a scenario that I will need a flashlight, matches, and BUG between my house and the local grocer. Gun and holster..... for protection, not battle.

For years now I've had a little single LED flashlight on my keyring. It's about the size and weight of a key. That thing has proved valuable on many occasion.