My current EDC

Another project I've been working on. For years I've tried to organize an EDC (every day carry) and haven't had much luck. The bags have been hard to organize or were really cheap and just fell apart. So, I think I've finally got a system that's going to work well for me...and this is a pictorial response to some requests to see my EDC system. (Sorry, I'd be terrible trying to explain stuff in a video)

Items:

1 - Scrunch bag for shopping. Skip the paper/plastic question altogether.

2 - X10 binocuars I got from a local surplus store. For bird watching, etc. I actually use these quite often.

3 - My Maxpedition hard use "Remora" bag with the "Janus" pouch on the side for additional storage space. This bag comes with a 2 inch strap system that goes over one shoulder and attaches to your belt for added security. I might use it when riding a bike. Nice to have that option. For every day use, I got some 550lb paracord and knotted a cobra stitch strap. It's much more comfortable than the large strap.

4 - Index card holder for all my contacts and their information. Favorite colors/sizes/gift ideas/phone numbers. Sometimes it's really nice to have all this info when shopping/traveling, etc.

5 - My 16oz Nissan Backpack Thermos. LOVE this thing. It's so secure, people actually keep it in their briefcases. That's NUTS! Keeps my Mountain Dew cold for 24 hours and my sweet tea hot for 12. One of my favorite items ever...That and my sewing machine. (I also found the clipped bottle holder at wally world for $1.88 and it fits perfectly.

6 - Zip ties and rubber bands

7 - Awesome little mulit-tool I found for less than five bucks. It's actually quite cool. Screwdriver heads, can/bottleopeners/knife/saw/awl,scissors, etc. I made a cool rattlesnake tail lanyard for it. :)

8 - 20ft of paracord. This stuff is fantastic.

9 - My "Chawly changer" for lose change. I hate dirty coins all over the place.

10 - Sunglasses. I've tried for years to get slip on shades and not one has fit on my frames. I was desperate on my last trip to Key West and just got these to wear right over my regular glasses and actually, this system has continued to work quite well for me.

11 - Checkbook/cards

12 - Kleenex

13 - Deck of playing cards (Use this all the time. We've had to learn to play Gin 500 instead of regular 500 so we don't have cards all over the restaurant table!)

14 - Nail file

15 - Key Lime Pie gum

16 - Barq's Rootbeer chapstick. ;)

17 - Meds in pill pouches with dosage info written on (very important)

18 - Streamlight "microstream" flashlight. 20 lumens of light. Very bright. I made a "monkey's fist" lanyard for it so it's easy to find. I hang the "Monkey's Fist" outside the zippered pouch. See picture below.

19 - Pace or Ranger Beads. I use these when hiking. I also figured out they can double as a rosary if I don't want to bring the more fragile one I use at church. Isn't that awesome? I love multi-tools.

20 - Cheap carpenters knife

21 - Sharpie, pen & pencil

22 - Cell phone

23 - Key chain w/ pepper spray, streamlight "nano" (10 lumens), whistle and detachable truck keys so it's easy to leave it to warm up and still take the locking mechanism with me. I should have done this earlier. I hate leaving it running in the driveway unlocked.

24 - Hair bands

25 - Lens cleaning pad (came with binoculars) and a nifty black bandana with a million uses. I found a cool bandana "mod" online that adds two pockets to make the thing even more useful.

26 - Hard candy

27 - My "Mtech Black Tactical Rescue Knife" lol. I actually got this thing to put into the G5 for trips to Key West. It has a seatbelt cutter and window breaker and I'm paranoid because there are a lot of deaths in Florida from people driving into canals and things and not being able to get out. Anyhoo, I liked the thing so much, it's got a spot in my EDC bag now. (when we're in FL, it's in the glove box!)

28 - My waterproof first aid kit. I got the cool container for fifty cents. Love that it's see-through.

29 - Sewing kit made tiny by taking out the cheesy scissors.

30 - Extra AAA batteries

31 - My Gerber Mini Paraframe knife. I love this little thing. Use it all the time. I've found cheap knives can be really cool and useful.

32 - Knife sharpener

33 - "Tactical Black" duct tape! lol (have you noticed I like black?)

34 - Reg and Decaf Earl Grey Teabags. Also for hot days I've got green tea powder for 16oz bottles. (I drink so much Crystal Lite green tea that I looked specifically for a 16oz container for drinks so I could use the packets in it. (I'm anal that way, I can't help it)

35 - My favorite homemade rosary. My mom-in-law gave me some beautiful pearls for a fancy one, but that one stays in my bedside table for safe keeping.

I have a couple more things to add, but this is pretty much my EDC. Thanks for taking the time to read what I've chosen and I hope you might have gotten some good ideas. I know I've learned a lot from my internet friends on this subject and appreciate their input...(oh, and Roz, I ordered a Moleskine sketchbook too. I'd never heard of one before. Thanks for the info!)

 

I added an uber-cool signal mirror (that FLOATS! how uber-cool is that?!) and a peanut lighter. The mirror comes in handy and the lighter is just cute. I put one in my first aid bag for fire starting and sterilizing purposes and because they were so inexpensive, got another one for my edc.

I also added this little cutie I got from Amazon. (compass) It's tiny and inexpensive, but had lots of good reviews. I just stuck it onto the exterior webbing on my Remora...

And this I did to temporarily hold my cash. (I'm in the market for a better checkbook/cards/cash holder that's NOT made out of lamb skin. Sorry amazon, just can't do it) I thought this might be fun to use with livy and a couple of flashlights. You never know when you're going to need to know morse code! lol. The flag signals I've always wanted to know, so if I'm sitting bored somewhere I can pull this out and study it...Sorry...I'm obsessive about this EDC stuff. Its been a lot of fun)

 

Here it is fully loaded and ready to employ! :)  

(Is this a scary bag? Just wondering 'cause I was volunteering at my daughter's school today and the secretary kind of looked terrified when I plopped my bag on the counter next to my mace, to sign in. I love black, but I never realized it would freak anyone out! lol. Oh well, I gotta be me!)