Many of you who read this identify as sheepdogs -- protectors of family, neighbors and the brethren. You have the skills and, presumably, the weapons to fulfill that role.
But how many contingencies are your prepared for? My barber has made EDC a study and a practice.
What is EDC? Here's an explanation from a blog dedicated to the topic:
Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness.
My own EDC items include my Taurus .38, pocketknife, watch, tactical flashlight and Zippo lighter (fire in your hand!). After reading my barber's comments below, I realize I should start on an EDC FAK (First Aid Kit).
I always EDC to the church on my days off. My aid kit is a $2.00 pre-packed johnson&johnson safe traveler kit,that I bought mostly for the plastic container at the dollar general store. I hacked it into an enhanced bump-type kit for everyday use. The music director's pen leaked,and covered her hand in ink. I threw her three alcohol prep pads which remove ink. The other folks around the table remarked that I appear to be well prepared. I declined to show them my Glock 17,and the two surefire flashlights I was CCWing at the time in my tactical tailor three-day pack,my EDC. Thought you'd get a kick out of this....
Even more recently, he sent me another report of using his FAK. This time, he was exploring an old abandoned building with some buddies when the floor collapsed beneath them.
The large,hand-hewn floor joists prevented me from falling an additional 20 feet! That and the Prayers I said before we went in!. Anyway,I had several "dirty" wounds,so I had my EDC bag with us the whole time,so I pulled out the FAK,and used the alcohol prep pads to clean the wounds,continue the mission,and discover the vaults. The punch line is that I think I should just have a 3-day pack full of alcohol prep pads,and dump the rest of the gear!
Okay, now you have the idea of what EDC is about. I'm sure some of you may have already practiced EDC without knowing it had a name.
Do you have any ideas or suggestions for EDC? Things you yourself carry, or think maybe you ought to carry?
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5 comments:
I both know and practice EDC--great topic for a post! Besides the obvious stuff, I like to carry a "tactical pen"--looks and acts like a pen, but is stout and strong enough to be used as jabbing implement. It's also nice to have a pen when you need it.
I too have a FAK, but it's in my man bag (as well as items like a snake/insect bite kit, and other assorted things). One of my favorite personal additions would have to be QuikClot. Around ten dollars per packet, they aren't all too cheap, but the tradeoff is well worth it. QuikClot does exactly what it sounds like it does, I'm told.
What else am I forgetting...oh, also in my bag, a pair of Koga sticks, a Spyderco Firebyrd knife that houses a Bic lighter, a money clip knife, a knife disguised as a pen, a Leatherman, and another knife that was cheap so it doesn't matter what happens to it--just in case. Yeah, I like EDC, what can I say?
Your barber sounds like the coolest barber!
Spencer
Sounds as though you've thought this through.
Instead of Quik-Clot, consider carrying some cayenne pepper.
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4925036_cayenne-pepper-stop-bleeding.html
You can also use it for someone having a heart attack. In this case, it might be a good idea to carry a bottle of water in your bag to dissolve the cayenne pepper.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4816818_stop-heart-attack-cayenne-pepper.html
Oh yeah . . . my barber definitely IS the coolest barber, and an even better friend.
Hey man:
Haven't been around in a while,I've been really busy on the farm here.
I hope you're doing well.
I generally always carry a knife, spare cash and a few bandaids in the wallet. One of my pet peeves is travelling light. I used to carry a leatherman, but eventually dropped it because I didn't use it every day, and could usually mprovise with my knife using it as a screwdriver, prybar, etc. It's a pretty cheap S&W tanto folder.
Great tip on the cayenne pepper!
Stephen, it's good to have you back, whether as a regular or an occasional visitor. From your blog, I can see that you guys are quite the homesteaders.
If you run across one of those really little resealable plastic bags, you might try putting in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper so you can carry it in your wallet along with the band-aids.
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