The list author says: "My EDC kit is meant to cover the "10 Essentials" in an compact way. It is not a 72-hr bug-out bag/go-bag. I wanted a kit small enough to take pretty much everywhere that would aid in minor emergencies and maybe see me through a night in adverse conditions. Some people would call this a "get home bag." Of course, your needs will vary depending on how far you tend to be from home on a typical day (I'm usually within about 5 miles) and the climate in your area.
Although part of a larger preparedness project, some of these items are used daily in non-life-threatening situations.
There is some redundancy (e.g. matches and spark-lighter), but I think that's good, within reason."
"Single AA-battery. Variable brightness and flashing/signalling (including SOS) modes on both the white and red beams (the picture shows two flashlights, but both red and white bulbs are built into each flashlight; you use one button to control both)."
"The Swisstool Spirit is smaller than the Swisstool; "Plus" means it comes with separate bit wrench and 6 hex, philips, & torx bits, with extra spaces in the bit holder.
Pliers Wire cutters, bender, stripper Scissors Bottle opener Can opener Serrated, blunt tip blade Metal file/saw Wood saw Awl Phillips and flat screwdrivers Chisel/scraper Ruler Corkscrew & eyeglass screwdriver"
"Like a "space blanket", but this is only reflective on one side (to retain body heat) and hi-vis orange on the other. This brand is said to be more durable and less crinkly-noisy than cheaper space-type blankets."
"I almost never leave home without a jacket, but not always a waterproof one. Could also use it for a dry surface to sit on or to cover your pack/gear."
"The Buff is a deceptively simple tube of lightweight microfiber that can be folded/twisted in various ways to wear. Folds up as small as a bandana. Multipurpose gear is great for EDC; this can be a hat or balaclava in cool weather, sweat-absorbing & quick-drying headband in hot weather, or a face mask (just nose and mouth or in balaclava form) to protect against inhaling debris or sand."
"For EDC, you can carry 8 of these matches in the tiny plastic vial that holds the tweezers in the Pocket Medic Kit below (if you leave the tweezers loose in the pouch). I keep strips of striking material (these are not "strike anywhere" and won't light on just anything) in the plastic pouch of the Medic Kit. Or stow a few (with striking material) inside the Spark-Lite kit below."
"Operated one-handed (with the thumb, like a lighter), but works like a firesteel (throws sparks; does not directly produce fire). Aim sparks at a fluffed-up Tinder-Quik (or other tinder) to start a fire. No lighter fluid to worry about. A similar set is sold without the plastic box. Tactical option: green color"
"A map is handy if you need to plot an alternate route in case a road is blocked by flooding (as happened here in New England a couple weeks before I started this list) or other incident. Get a laminated one like this (or laminate one yourself) so you can use it in the rain."
"Unlined; choose uncoated stainless steel, so you can boil water in it if necessary, but I like to carry a titanium mug (below) for that. My EDC water bottle is only 12 oz., but I usually also have with me a 16 oz insulated bottle (for coffee) that I can store (but not boil!) water in."
"Single-walled, so it can be used to boil water (and melt snow) for purification before drinking (or preparing backpacking food, etc.). The clean water can then refill the water bottle. The narrow-mouth Klean Kanteen (up to 27 oz) actually nests into this mug, but the cup lid won't fit on top. Lid prevents lip-burning when drinking hot stuff."
"I actually eat lunch with my folding spork (in fact from REI, but very similar to this). Any emergency kit should include an eating utensil because you don't want to get sick from eating with potentially unclean hands."
"A stove and fuel tabs. Use with a steel or titanium cup to boil water for purification or to melt snow for drinking. Stores flat until needed, then you bend up the sides to form the cup supports. After bending a number of times, this will no doubt break, but it's the flattest, smallest commercial stove I've seen for solid fuel tabs."
"Kills viruses, bacteria, and cysts in water (not effective against chemical contamination). I carry a few of the individually packed tablets (1 tablet treats 1 quart of water) in my first aid kit as an alternative to boiling the water. Advantages of chlorine dioxide over iodine: less change to the color & taste of water; effective against Cryptosporidia."
"Alcohol-based hand sanitizer for hygiene, of course, but can also help with fire-lighting. I like the spray better than regular bottles, since you can control the output and there's less chance of the cap opening in your bag. I've refilled spray bottles from jumbo refill bottles of sanitizer without problem. You can easily find similar things locally."
"You could put together your own first aid kit in an altoids tin or something, but this is a quick and easy way to get a few basics and there is room to add a few things in the plastic pouch, which is thicker than a regular ziploc-type bag. The tweezers are a bonus; sturdier than those on a swiss army knife, with sharp points."
"Tuck a couple of these into your first aid kit. On contact with water, they expand from something like an overgrown Altoid to a 9 x 10 in cloth (thin like cheesecloth, but fairly sturdy)."
"For making notes, drawing maps, etc. in wet conditions. Use a pencil or a waterproof pen. This is the smallest version, I think, and is stapled, rather than spiral-bound like some other versions. Tactical option: green color"
"Back-up power for the Photon Proton. Not the highest capacity batteries, but the PP normally has a lithium battery installed. The pro is I can use the same usb wall charger that I carry for my phone (or any computer with a usb port). They also have an indicator light right on the battery that will show the charging status."
"Emergency power for your cell phone. Standard usb output. A suction cup mounts it to your car window and a carabiner allows you to clip it to the outside of a bag etc. Can also be charged by usb, so you could use a car (or other usb) charger on it for faster filling (the panel is small and so can take several days to charge fully in the sun)."
"Assuming you use an iPhone, this is a convenient sync/charge cable to use with the above solar usb charger, giving a compact, off-grid emergency power supply. Can be attached to your keyring. Design keeps the connectors protected when not in use. Scosche also makes a model for BlackBerry."
"Supposedly even dissolves in cold water. If you can't drink it unsweetened, look for the Via made specifically for iced coffee; it has sugar included. You never know when you might need a bit of caffeine."
"What I carry it all in: a small 600 cu in. (10 liters) bag. Open pocket on back, zip pocket on front with key clip, small pocket on top, water bottle sleeve, strap pocket for cell phone. Main compartment with zip mesh pocket, pen holders, card slots. The nearest thing Osprey still makes may be the Veer, which is similar except it has a standard shoulder strap rather than the sling-style."
"The lowest price Eco-Drive (solar-powered). Replace the band with a Zulu- or NATO-style (makes it nearly impossible to lose the watch). Even in these days of having the time displayed on cell phones, I consider a watch an EDC item; there are still places where you can't have a phone on. Emergency uses include timing water purification by tablet, knowing how long you have before sunset, etc."
