Everyday Carry (EDC)

everyday carry for preppers

How to make water proof matches: emergency fire starter magnesium flint

------------------------------------------------- Revised 02/12/2021
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Gerber Bear Grylls Tinderbox

Gerber Shard Keychain Tool

Spyderco Paramilitary knife

2 Pack Survival Kit Can Opener

GI P-38 Can Opener (5-pack)

Knife looks like a key

Pocket Organizer

Smith & Wesson M&P Airgun

Tray of 50 BIC Classic Lighters

Survival Fixed Blade Knife

Water treatment tablets

Protac Tactical Flashlight

FLIR ONE Thermal Imager for iPhone 5/5s

Tactical LED Flashlight

Emergency Fire Starter

Survival Tabs

Right Ankle Holster

Smart Carry

Coast 220 Lumen LED Flashlight

Constitution

Concealed Carry Purse

Fully Stocked GI Issue Medic Kit Bag

Satellite phone

Individually wrapped sanitizing hand wipes

Benchmade EDC Knife

Fundamentals of Everyday Carry DVD

EMT Pouch

Smith & Wesson SWBG2TS Border Guard

Smith & Wesson Border Guard for everyday carry

Happy Preppers site for survivalists + preppers

Friendly Swede Firestarter

Titanium pot

Prepper Deal Alerts Check
our daily deals for prepping
gear and food storage.

Happy endings...
Finally, think about your everyday carry in a whole new light, take
a deeper look into flashlights for preppers!

Related articles...

You also may be happy to read these prepping articles....

Prepare to live happily ever after with us at happypreppers.com - the Web site of
emergency preparedness, prepping, survival, homesteading and self-sufficiency.

Holsters.
Holsters come in many formats for concealed and open carry ~
from shoulder holsters, bicep holsters, belt holsters and ankle
holsters. Other methods of carrying might be inside the
waistband, or a concealed and carry purse.

Alternatives to firearms.
If you are not comfortable carrying a lethal weapon, alternatively
you might be tempted to carry a BB gun, which could be a
deterrent in self defense and lawful*.
However, this alternative is rather risky. Many argue gun for true
security must be real; otherwise two things could happen: either
you successful deter the threat or this person shoots you.

On the other hand, a BB gun could help you get comfortable with
a real firearm, which is an excellent reason to own one! There are
Smith & Wesson replicas available in airgun format, pictured at
the top left-hand of the page. This particular Smith & Wesson
airgun is a replica of one of the newest S&W designs (S&W
Military and Police firearm). It has a drop-free 19-shot BB
magazine.*

Important note: Check your state for gun laws and replica
gun laws. California has among the strictest gun laws, which
apply even to non-powdered guns!

Alternatively, your weapon choice may include

Tasers /stun guns
MACE/pepper spray
Self-defense key chains
batons (in the form of a tactical flashlight or tactical pen)

#5: Palm-sized LED Flashlight.
Choosing the right EDC flashlight for prepping is a personal
choice, based on budget and design. There are few quick
highlights of design to look for in an EDC flashlight. Use this
basic list to choose the best EDC flashlight for you:

Palm-sized LED. Some flashlights are too big for the
average pocket.
Clip: Your flashlight should have a clip to help secure it in
place.
220 Lumens. A flashlight with 220 lumens will provide
around an hour and half continuous running time.
Focused light beams. A flashlight should harness light into
useful beam patterns
Takes AA batteries. Should the stuff hit the fan, and you
run out of batteries, you'll want to replace them. Since AA
batteries are the most widely used battery, it just makes
sense.

Three LED flashlights to consider in various price ranges:
For an important everyday carry item consider these flashlights...

Coast (inexpensive): For the price, you can't beat the Coast
Hp1 Focusing 220 Lumen LED flashlight, pictured immediate
right, which meets the above specifications. You can count
on this little gem to be bright and ready for years to come.
Others agree! It's one of the best selling flashlights with
more than 1,777 4.5-star reviews!

Vizeri (Mid range): If you have a little more money to
spend, try the Vizeri Focusing Tactical Flashlight. Made of
military-grade aluminum, this quality torch includes a lantern
accessory and holster. Best of all, it has multiple battery
options. Instead of buying a 1000-2000 lumen lights that
heat their handles to over 150 degrees and burns through
batteries like crazy, you can use the focusing feature of this
light to create a powerful, tight beam to get light that is as
bright but with three times the battery life. Best of all, it
has an optional weapon mount, it can rail mount on an AR-
15, rifle, or shotgun.

SuperNova Tactical: If you're willing to part with up to
$179, then consider the SuperNova Tactical LED Flashlight,
pictured immediate left. It's been on sale for as little as
$69.95. The self-defense features of this powerhouse include
disorienting strobe mode enjoyed by law enforcement and
stainless steel ridged strike bezel -- the mark of a true
tactical torch.

#6: Communications (most importantly cell phone
apps and tools).
Communications are paramount in part of any survival strategy.
Knowledge is everything!While they say knowledge weighs
nothing, a cell phone does carry some weight and without it you
may have no knowledge of weather conditions, alternate travel
routes, or the whereabouts of your group.

Cell phone (and a means to recharge). Even ordinary
citizens have a cell phone as part of everyday carry, but what
makes preppers a different breed of human is that we think
beyond the ordinary for survival. For your EDC you should
carry with you always, the three Cs -- cash, a compass and
communications. Your cell phone can provide all three! Here's
more about how to use a cell phone for survival.

Satellite phone. Instead of carrying a cell phone, you may
opt to carry a satellite phone (for example if you are in an
extremely remote region, need to call someone outside of
the United States or need the latest gadgets). It's not a
choice for everyone.

Prepaid calling card. Most everyone has a cell phone, but if
you can't afford one at minimum you should carry a prepaid
calling card. (Gone are the days when a superhero could pop
out of a phone booth.) The great thing about carrying your
cell phone is that it opens up a world of useful applications.

Pen/pencil and paper. Lower on the list of communications
is a pencil and paper. If anything, the paper can serve as
extra tinder, and the pencil can be shaved for tinder as well.
The nice thing about a graphite pencil, is you can use it to
unstick a sticky zipper by lubricating the teeth of your
zippers. As for a tactical pen, certainly it can do some
damage to thwart an attacker. If you're going to carry a
tactical pen, make sure it has another feature. The Uzi
Tactical Pen, pictured right features a glassbreaker and built-
in handcuff key! Smith & Wesson has a tactical pen with a
firestarter.

#7: Cordage.
Cordage is another prepper essential that can take many forms,
but for which is a personal choice:

Dental floss as an amazing array of survival uses you can
employ.
Fishing line. Strong
Paracord (preferably 550 cord). A Paracord bracelet or belt is
an excellent way to carry your cordage, but you can also
A Shemagh (or tactical scarf) is becoming popular with
preppers. Among the many benefits is that it can be
unraveled for use.

#8: First Aid.
While it would be nice to have the elite fully stocked medics first
aid kit, like the one pictured right, it is not practical for everyday
carry. Basic first aid however, should be part of your everyday
carry, including:

Bandaids and an antiseptic pouch.
Medications. Aspirin, Benadryl, or Ibuprofen tablets.
Hand sanitizer or alcohol wipe pads.
Lip Balm. Add lip balm to your everday carry list. If you haven’
t already considered the many survival uses of lip balm, then
now's the time to get wise. From helping to soothe chapped
lips and helping you deal with a paper cut, to lighting a fire,
lip balm can make your survival situation less stressful.

#9: Food.
Some preppers argue that food is too bulky or impractical for
everyday carry. A prepper who says this hasn't thought through
the benefits of everyday carry for food! Who says food has to be
big or bulky? At minimum, your everyday carry should include
chewing gum, hard candy or a sugar packet for a quick burst of
energy.

Beef Jerky. Classic protein.
Chewing gum. Learn the many benefits of packing chewing
gum for survival.
Hard candy. Provide a quick burst of energy.
Energy beans.
Millenium energy bars. Can take heat and cold and are non-
thirst provoking. Each bar is 400-Calorie bars with high
energy value.
Survival tabs. Survival tabs are small clusters of protein
packed also with 15 essential vitamins and minerals.

Surely women will find it easier to have food as part of everyday
carry because a purse makes it easier. Even if you're not into the
man-bag thing, we have some ideas that should be included in a
mini survival tin.

#10: Clothing.
Clothing is an important aspect of everyday carry from what's on
your head, down to your feet, but the kind of clothing you'll wear
is somewhat at the whim of your daily plans. If you're headed to
a wedding, combat boots may not be appropriate. Double socks?
Not if its 100 degrees outside! Headed to work? Then your
employer may have some preconceived notions of what is
appropriate.

If clothing is something in your control for the day, then give
careful thought from a prepper's perspective for what you wear:

Footware: At the base of everyday carry is your footware!
Select a sturdy boot or shoe and wear socks that wick away
moisture. Instead of flip flops, wear a comfortable Teva
instead of flip flops. A woman in high heels can have a
contingency plan to cut off the heels to get out of city laden
with broken glass after an earthquake.
Head gear: Tuck a Bandanna or wrap a tactical scarf and
make it part of your wardrobe and everyday carry, or grab a
seasonal hat to protect your noggin and neck. You'll find
many uses beyond protection from the sun.
Pants. Full length cargo pants or EMT pants are a wise choice
for preppers because they have many pockets to hold your
gear. Even in desert-like conditions, wearing long pants is
important to help shield your skin from the sun. And don't
even think about "going commando" without any underwear.
Even that layer is a useful bit of clothing.
Shirt: A cover shirt is an important part of concealed carry. A
button down long-sleeved sports shirt layered with a T-shirt
is a good everyday style for preppers (even if you don't carry
firearms). Don't wear anything that looks paramilitary, or
blazes with NRA emblems or covers your body head to toe
camouflage. You want to blend in as much as possible with
the other civilians.

More Ways to Enhance your Everyday Carry
Here is a list of extras to enhance your everyday carry:

Duct tape. Travel duct tape is available, but you can wrap
your BIC lighter with duct tape, or secure items in your
pocket organizer with duct tape.

Pencil sharpener. With a pencil sharpener you'll just about
always have tinder handy. Use a pencil sharpener to shave
twigs into tinder for fire starting! Want something a little
more sophisticated for your everday carry? The Gerber Bear
Grylls Tinderbox will help you quickly turn a few twigs into
tinder.

Gerber shard tool. With seven functions including Pry Bar
Small Flathead Driver Wire Stripper Puller Large Flathead
Driver Bottle Opener Lanyard Hole Cross Driver, pictured
right, the Gerber Shard tool is a great everday carry, and
airline compliant, as well.

GI-P-38 Can Opener. Genuine military issue, you can easily
attach teh GI-P38 can opener to a key ring or chain. Best of
all, a five-pack of GI P-38 Can Openers costs around $3 and
includes the shipping. Why not add a few to your bugout
bags, too? The can opener is pocket-sized (approximately 1.5
inches, 38mm, in length) and consists of a short metal blade
that serves as a handle (which doubles as a flat-blade
screwdriver), with a small, hinged metal tooth that folds out
to pierce the can lid. The P-38 is cheaper to manufacture
than a standard can opener, and is smaller and lighter to
carry. The device can be easily attached to a keyring or dog
tag chain using the small punched hole. While there are
methods you can employ to open a can without a can opener,
having this little device will relieve much stress from an
already stressful situation. It's a little peace of mind carried
by U.S. Military personnel. Make it part of your everyday carry.

Mini compass. A compass may be on your phone, but it
won't do you much good if the app isn't working for you

Space blankets. Mylar blanket or alternatively a heavy duty
garbage bag (could serve as rain gear, shelter) and would fit
into a pocket organizer.

Safety pins. Why are safety pins included in survival kits?

SOG knife looks like a house key! The amazing SOG key
chain tool, pictured immediate left, conceals a compact blade
in the size of a standard house key so you are always
prepared. It has a straight edge, folding 1.5-inch stainless
steel blade has a drop point shape with a satin finish. The
lockback provides additional safety while the knife's in the
open position Final Thoughts... While there is a whole Web
site devoted to everyday carry, our happy list is specifically
with preppers in mind. We hope you agree, but please let us
know what we've missed.

Watch. The watch is making a comeback with Apple. If
you're into old school preparedness, you may want to include
a watch in your everyday carry. Here's how y ou can use a
watch t o navigate .

Whistle. Under an SHTF scenario, having a whistle isn't going
to do you much good. Certainly a whistle is a "must have"
everyday carry for a day hike. Kids may want to carry one in
their backpacks to help attract help "stranger danger."

How will you enhance your Everyday Carry (EDC)?
Now you know that a receptacle for water (and a water
purification method) is among the most overlooked of preps for
EDC. Will you make it a priority today to get started on this life-
saving essential?

The Smith & Wesson Border Guard is first responder knife that
has more than most could want or need for an everyday carry
knife.

Prepper's Everyday Carry (EDC)
Everyday carry gear list for preppers

Everyday Carry for preppers...
"What's in your wallet?" was the closing line of a popular credit
card commercial. It takes on new meaning for preppers in terms
of Every Day Carry (EDC). EDC is a small cluster of survival items
carried in a pocket, belt, holster, wallet or purse, which are
always on your person for survival purposes. Peek in the pocket of
an ordinary person and you'll find aset of keys, money and a cell
phone, but if you did a pocket dump* of the average prepper,
we're fairly certain you'd find a knife and/or firearm, a firestarter,
and a flashlight, at a minimum. It's a good start, but with a little
planning, you can do better!

-------------------------------------------------------

*By pocket dump, we mean the sum total of distributed survival assets on your

person, whether in your boot, on your wrist, on your belt, in your holster, or in

your

pocket or purse. Your everyday carry may include a foldable water pouch, a

fire starter,

a flashlight, and a folding knife. You'll have other items you'll want to

carry, and a

pocket organizer can help. Left, the Maxpedition Everyday Carry

Pocket organizer

keeps things compact and ready for use.

Prepper's List of Everyday Carry (EDC)
So make room in your cargo pants, get a pocket organizer, and
adjust your belt, because we've compiled a thoughtful list of
essentials for preppers to carry everyday.

While there is a lot of survival gear you could carry, if you had to
pair it down to three things, then these items will virtually
guarantee your survival:

a quality fixed blade knife
metal water container (appropriate also for cooking/boiling
water) and
and a fire starter

Unfortunately, item #2 is the item most skip, which is why we are
beginning our list of Everyday Carry with the topic of water!

#1: Water purification system, or filtration straw.
Water is life, yet when it comes to everyday carry, many preppers
neglect to cover this most important aspect of survival! Now you
know, and now you need to carry your water filtration system
daily. Water filtration doesn't need to be bulky!

Depending on your budget and personal preference, you have a
few options:

Water pouch and germicidal tablets. Another option for
your "everyday carry" for water filtration is a water pouch
with water treatment tablets. A good water treatment tablet
that's easy to carry and use is Potable Aqua, pictured top
left. The whole jar of Potable Aqua germicidal tablets will
treat up to 25 quarts of water in about 35 minutes. It's easy
to include in a purse or backpack. You can also take a few
tablets out and slip them into a You can tuck a few tablets
in a quart sized zip-locked freezer bag, then roll it up and
wrap it in aluminum foil to compress the size and add to
your EDC survival. The zip lock bag is useful for water
collection, and while not convenient, you can drink from it
after you use the germicidal tablets. Of course a water
pouch is a much more convenient option. The blue Vapor
water pouch, pictured right, has a water stop and clips to the
carabiner. Roll it into the carabiner. You can also easily roll it
into a pocket or pocket organizer, like the one pictured
immediate right.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration Pouch. Pictured right,
the Sawyer Squeeze Water filtration system, you can easily
get clean drinking water from any lake, river, or questionable
source, including a foreign faucet. To use, you unscrew the
cap from the bladder, fill the bag with water, screw back the
cap wiping any dirty water from the bag, then open the push
pull valve on the cap to filter. The action of squeezing the
bag or sucking on the push-pull valve provides potable
water. Roll it up into a pocket. Unfortunately, it does not
have an attachment for carrying on a carabiner or clip, which
is why we recommend rolling it up into a pocket organizer.

Aquamira water straw. The slim profile Aquamira water
filtration system will help you filter 30 gallons of water. It
weighs just an ounce and not only improves water taste, but
removes greater than 99.9% of Cryptospordium and Giardia.
Unfortunately, it does not have a clip to carry on a carabiner,
but it fits nicely into a purse or the Maxpedition pocket
organizer. (The straw measures 6 inches). Best of all,
Aquamira is made in the U.S.A!

Metal water container. A metal container is recommended
for bugging out into the wilderness because with it you can
collect and boil water, but it is bulky and impractical for
everyday carry in urban environments, unless you're a woman
with a large purse! Nonetheless,it's an option for everyday
carry not to be overlooked.

There are many options of water filtration for every day carry, and
you seriously need to pick one of them for your survival.

#2: Fire Starter (BIC, magnesium fire starter).
It goes without saying that a prepper always carries a firestarter;
however, did you know that a preferred firestarter for survivalists,
like Mykel Hawke is a BIC lighter?

One survivor of the Bosnian Civil War was also a big fan of
"flicking his BIC." He said, "A generator is good, but 1000 BIC
lighters are better. A generator will attract attention if there's any
trouble, but 1000 lighters are compact, cheap and can always be
traded." It's well worth stocking up on them. Fire is warmth, fire
is light, fire can help you!

BIC Lighter. A BIC lighter is an easy choice for everyday
carry because it virtually guarantees you can start a fire.
(Make sure yours has fresh fuel.)

Magnesium and flint fire starter. With a magnesium body
and a striker, you can start a fire even if it's wet. It has the
downside of being rather bulky and heavy. Nonetheless, it's
a great option to carry in your car, bugout bag, and for some
as part of their everyday carry.

Other firestarters. You should always have a backup. If
you're tight on space, waterproof (stormproof) matches are a
lightweight option for everyday carry as is a Fresnel Lens.

#3: Knife ~ cutting tool (fixed-blade knife, or lock
and fold knife).
No matter what knife you choose for your everyday carry, a knife
should be part of your essentials (as long as you're not headed to
the airport, school or court).

Fixed blade knife. A fixed blade knife is 'must have" for your
bugout bag, though it may not practical for everyone when it
comes to everyday carry. Certainly a fixed blade knife can
help with building shelter, skinning food, starting fires,
digging pits, cutting branches or dealing with any rough jobs
in survival. If you're wearing cargo pants or EMT pants,
pictured left, then you can find room for a fixed blade knife.

Lock and fold knife. The next best thing to having a quality
fixed blade knife is a quality folding knife which locks. A
knife with a lock mechanism

#4: Weapons and Self-defense.
The weapons you carry depend on your skills and experience;
training and permits; and personal preference and prepping
philosophy. Below is a list of considerations for everyday carry:

Handgun.
It's your second amendment right to carry the firearm of your
legal choice, but not into airports, schools, police stations or
courts. It's an equalizer if you have not the physical stamina to
protect yourself, provided you have the training to use it properly,
have the required permits, and are ready to deliver lethal force in
a life threatening situation. Here are some tips for picking the
right handgun:

Go polymer and lighten your load. Pick the smallest,
lightest firearm you can carry, with the largest caliber. Your
EDC pistol is not what you may use to defend your home,
land and preps. It's about being armed and ready to defend
yourself as is your legal right.
Make your valid permit easily accessible. Know your
constitutional rights, and local laws. Be lawful until WROL.
Carry a spare magazine or speed loader. The most
expensive handgun is useless without the right ammunition.
Get a quality round for the purpose of self-defense!
Be confident with your mindset, training and equipment.
Skills are perishable, so you must regularly maintain your
skills and knowledge. Get 20 hours of quality, reality-based,
scientific Concealed Carry instruction and training, with the
The Armed American's Complete Concealed Carry Guide to
Effective Self-Defense, pictured right. Covering all three
pillars of Effective Self-Defense: the Mindset, Training, and
Equipment necessary for effective self-protection.