How to Build a Better Every Day Carry Bag

Today I will talk about Every Day Carry Bags, but first, I just want to talk a bit about the process of preparing for SHTF/emergency situations...When I first started looking at our preparations for potential SHTF situations, I felt quite comfortable with the process, thinking we were pretty prepared, but the more that I think about it, the more I think that there is still some definite room for improvement.  I do acknowledge, however, that there is a fine line between being prepared for potential situations and going a bit overboard (or my definition of overboard) because there are so many opinions and tools out there to pull information from!  I am trying to find a balance.

Anyhow, now that I'm in this process, I am feeling very grateful for the process because we are really not as prepared as I thought we might be.  It's amazing how, when you pull everything apart, you start to see all the holes in what you thought was a good system!

I digress...

What is an Every Day Carry Bag?

An Every Day Carry Bag (EDC Bag) is the bag you carry with you everyday, everywhere you go.  It will contain a variety of things you need in everyday situations as well as items that may be helpful in an emergency situation. 

Just like an EDC, the contents of your EDC Bag will vary greatly depending on the level of prep you are wanting to undertake as well as where you live and what potential threats you are thinking about.  The contents of this bag should also be looked at as an extension of your EDC.

Most EDC Bags I have seen are either backpacks or mail carrier bags and the possibilities are pretty endless.  My EDC Bag is a CamelBak I originally purchased for hikes but it quickly became the bag I carry everywhere.  I have never been a purse-carrying-kind-of-girl, so this little backpack works well for me.  Because it is a CamelBak, I can fill the bladder up with water if we are going on a short road trip, etc. in addition to carrying a water bottle.  This is the bag I carry with me to work every day.  It gets stashed under my desk so it's hidden away and yet easy to grab if necessary.

What do I currently have in my bag?

• A water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Deodorant
• Twine (this was used to wrap a gift and never made it's way out of my bag)
• Pain medication (ibuprofen, excedrine migraine, tension headache, antihistamine, P5P)*
• Liquid silver (good in moderation to use against infections, this is usually kept at home)
• iPod (Incredibly helpful, right? Yep!  It's a comfort item!)
• Pads & tampons (feminine hygiene plus first aid and survival magic)
• A deck of playing cards (another comfort item)
• Rain jacket
• An extra pair of socks (these get swapped out for wool socks in the winter)**
• A small notebook
• My wallet (when it's not in my back pocket, it's in my bag)
• A small mirror for signaling (or looking into)
• Barrettes
• Chapstick (yep, extra)
• An altoids tin with a lighter inside as the beginning of this kit
• Toothpaste (but no toothbrush)
• A small amount of cash
• A couple of bandaides
• A knife
• A small flashlight
• Leatherman Blast multi-tool
• Pack of gum
• Comb

How can I improve my Every Day Carry Bag?

• Duct tape
• Food (protein bars, trail mix, etc)
• A First Aid Kit including my Epi-Pen***
• Hair fasteners (hair ties, barrettes, etc...if the SHTF, my hair will not be pretty like the ladies you see in all the Zombie movies...that shit drives me crazy.)
• A bandanna or hat
• A small toothbrush
• A pen & pencil (to go with my notebook) and a Sharpie
• Containers of some sort to help consolidate all of the little miscellaneous items
• Safety pins
• Tissue/Kleenex
• A whistle
• Nail clippers or small scissors
• Cord (Paracord to replace the random twine)
• Swap out my tiny flashlight for a headlamp (this will enable me to be hands-free and will also give me a light source to have as part of my EDC)
• Phone charger

Notes:
* I am prone to migraines.  Though they are mostly under control now, I am pretty conditioned to always have some pain relievers with me just in case I feel one building.  Catching them early is key to being able to function in any situation, let alone an emergency situation. Additionally, the P5P (an activated B-6 supplement), helps me to avoid them in the first place, so I keep a few extra with me in case I forget to take one in the morning before I leave the house.

** In addition to swapping out my socks when the weather cools, I always have a pair of gloves, a scarf and a hat in my bag if I don't have it on my person when I leave the house since the weather can change pretty quickly here.

*** Do you remember my run-in with a bee a couple of years ago?  Well, I don't worry about it often (actually I almost never worry about it), but if I were thinking about an emergency situation, an Epi-Pen would be good to have around.

Remember...

...an Every Day Carry Bag is supposed to be convenient to carry, hold every day items and hold a few items to help you through an emergency.

Think compact, organized, easy and functional.  

You can find some more ideas for EDC Bags (and everything preparedness related) here.

What's in your EDC?  What else do you think I should add to mine? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

xoxo,

M

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