When I started prepping, I hadn’t really thought of the concept of and ‘Every Day Carry’ or EDC pack.  We all have items and tools we use on a regular basis, maybe not even every day, and when we want them we know roughly where to find them.  The idea of an EDC pack is to bring those regular items together in a single carry-able or wearable format so you always have them in reach.

Each person’s EDC items will be different to the next.  I work in an office and factory environment doing either admin or IT-related work so my EDC list is going to be very different to someone working in other fields and the mix between tools and sundry items will vary significantly.

Now my first attempt at an EDC for my requirements is now called v1 for reasons I will get to later.  Suffice to say I started with the idea of a compact kit which could be carried with me with minimum thought or effort.  I need some basic first aid (painkillers and plasters for cuts), something to write with and some basic tools for getting into and repairing computers and other equipment.  With that in mind I started with a bushcraft or tobacco sized tin:

 

My EDC v1

I had the idea of using some of the small tins I had found in an earlier post with some small but strong magnets to hold some useful items and to make use of the lid area when the tin was opened. They are handy for holding some every day tablets (Paracetamol & Ibuprofen) and driver bits and the magnets keep them in place very well.  The rest of my EDC items are neatly placed in the main area of the tin:

 

My EDC v1

Everything fits in there quite well and although space is at a premium I think I have a decent array of kit in there:

 

My EDC v1

 

Here is a list of the items you can see in the photo above:

For the requirements I came up with, everything is covered. I can treat a simple cut, get rid of a headache, have three methods of writing for multiple surfaces and a multitool and ratchet/bits as well as superglue to affect basic repairs. The paracord is there simply because it might come in useful! I have carried this EDC around for a couple of months and it has done the job I want it to and doesn’t weigh too much at 330g.

The Zebra mini pen and pencil and the Sharpie mini are excellent compact replacements for standard size equivalents and the little Topeak ratchet handle, designed for bike maintenance is great quality and works really well.

So, why is it v1?  Firstly, like anything prepping related, all things evolve.  Secondly, I was trying to be clever by having everything as compact as possible and that makes this EDC fiddly to use.  I should have been more practical than clever and then I wouldn’t have the following problems with it:

  1. The Paracetamol/Ibuprofen have to trimmed down in their blister packs to fit in the mini-tin.  Of course I could just put them in there loose, but I wanted them to stay clean and usable.
  2. Although the magnets hold the mini tins on the lid well, they do slide a little which means they often have to be repositioned so they don’t clash with something in the main compartment.
  3. The best place for the plasters is underneath everything else to stop them falling out every time the tin is opened, but that means a lot has to come out to get to them.
  4. The SAK is a good little EDC multitool but I could do with adding a pair of pliers either by replacing the multitool with a larger one or adding a small separate pair.
  5. Even though everything is compact and lightweight and the tin has a good click to it’s catch, I have to slide a Velcro strap around the tin to make absolutely sure it doesn’t come open (see below).

 

My EDC v1

So v1’s days are numbered.  I need to be more practical and put together a bigger EDC pack. I have already started putting it together and will be posting more details in a future post so look out for v2 coming soon……..