Every Day Carry (EDC) refers to the collection of items that a person consistently carries with them on a daily basis to help them handle regular tasks, unexpected situations, or emergencies. These items are usually chosen for their functionality, reliability, and practicality, and often reflect the individual's lifestyle, profession, or personal preferences.

Common EDC Items:

• Wallet - for ID, cash, cards
• Keys - house, car, work
• Phone - communication, navigation, info access
• Knife or multi-tool - utility tasks like opening packages, light repairs
• Flashlight - useful in low-light or emergency situations
• Pen and notebook - jotting down ideas, quick notes
• Watch - for timekeeping, often with added features (like G-Shock or smartwatches)
• Handkerchief or bandana - hygiene, first aid, utility use
• Firearm or non-lethal defense item (in some cases) - depending on local laws and personal choice

Why People Care About EDC:

• Preparedness - to be ready for anything, from cutting open boxes to handling a power outage.
• Efficiency - having tools on hand saves time and effort.
• Self-expression - gear choices often reflect personality, taste, and values (like tactical vs minimalist).

EDC can be as simple as just phone, wallet, and keys—or as detailed as a full kit with custom organizers, high-end tools, and even survival gear.

What Does A CIA Spy Carry Everyday?

What Does a SEAL Team 6 Sniper Carry Everyday?

EDC Tool Sets

The following is my attempt to organize EDC equipment into tool sets that go together. Thinking of the tools as tool sets makes the individual think about the kind of scenarios they are preparing for. EDC is highly configurable and should adjust to environment you are planning to transverse.

Minimum

When you leave your safe place, you should have these items. No exceptions. No excuses.

• Smart Phone

The modern phone is a super tool: text, phone, email, social media, maps with gps, watch, flashlight, video camera, voice recorder, and thousands of possible applications.

• Folding Knife

A folding knife your first piece of gear dedicated to violence. It needs to be small enough to carry and have a tip for piercing. A slash is a defensive move. A stab is an offensive move. You need a knife that you can stab with.

Slash Targets: Hands, Forearms, Neck, and Joints on the Fold (wrists, elbows, knees).

Stab Targets: Face, Throat, Belly (liver), Kidneys, Groin, Inner Thighs, Arm Pits, and Supraclavicular fossa (the slight hollow or depression just above the clavicle, bordered by the sternocleidomastoid (in front) and the trapezius (in back))

• Wallet
• $100 US Cash

Cash is king. One hundred dollars of backup money can buy:

• a cab ride
• a ride from a stranger
• a night on someone's couch
• a thifty change of clothes
• $100 Visa Gift Card

Places that only take credit cards will take a Visa Gift Card without the electronic tracking.

• Laminated List of 7 Most Important Phone Numbers

If you phone is stolen having these numbers will be important.

Technician

People with creative DIY (do it yourself) instincts should have tools. Self rescue becomes a thing when people have the courage to try.

• Multitool

There are countless versions of the classic multitool: general, electrical, automotive, outdoors, etc.. Many have a screw driver mount that take bits for any kind of fastener you can think of. A torq head screw is easy to turn with the right tool.

Make sure that each tool on the multitool is something you would actually use. A multitool with a fish descaler when you don't eat fish is stupid. Take the time to find the right tool.

• Flashlight

A cellphone flashlight is better than nothing but not as handy as a real flashlight. There are many form factors for flashlights: LED rechargeable keychains, pen lights, fat tacticals, standard barrel, etc.. Find one that is convenient.

• Watch

There are clocks everywhere; on every oven, microwave, computer desktop, phone banner bar, car dashboard, to name a few. However, when it comes to needing the time in an emergency nothing beats a watch.

See something unusual, look at your watch, make a mental note of the time. Applied a tourniquet, look at your watch, write down the time on the tag. Wait for double zeros, take your pulse by counting beats for 15 seconds, and then multiplying by 4.

Use the stopwatch feature for recording 2 mile running time. Use the timer for 2 minute push up and sit up testing.

A phone can do these things but it takes more steps. Glancing at a watch is a low visibilty move.

Survival Watch combines the parachord survival braclet with a watch. It could be a neat alternative. Read the reviews and confirm that it will fit your wrist.

Wilderness Survivor

Adjust your EDC whenever camping, hiking, and biking in wildness areas. It is not uncommon for people to get separated from their real gear.

Critical Skills

• Being able to make a fire
• Signal for rescue
• Build a shelter

Tools

• Lighter

I have a problem with fuel based lighters like Zippos and Butane Torches. They are always empty. The electric plasma lighter is rechargable and Solar Charger Power Bank are cheap. You might need to keep some paper to light with the lighter in order to transfer it to a starter pile for a real fire. Receipts, newspaper, packing material, and fast food bags make good scraps. Just make sure they are dry.

• Parachord Survival Barcelet (20 in 1)

None of the tools on this braclet are a good replacement for the real thing; but, having a fire starter, whistle, compass, and 10 feet of chordage is a good backup.

The thermometer is in celcius so just double it and add 30 to get fahrenheit. Medium Article

• Fixed Blade

You need a full tang blade that can be hammered on by a log for performing axe like activities. An axe would be a better choice; but, the idea is that you have it with you just in case.

Anti-Capture

Clint Emerson has a great book called 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation. He recommends having a handcuff key and a razor blade sewn into the bottom cuff of your pants. This allows you (while bound) to squat down, remove the tool, and remove your restraints.

• Handcuff Key

Around $1. Buy a few dozen.

Every glove box, every backpack, every keyring should have a handcuff key on it.

• Razor Blade

Get a brick of razor blades and stash them everywhere.

In the fabrication category there a 3D printable buttons to make carrying these tools easier. The buttons are made of PETG filament. The handcuff key and razor blade snap into the button. This keeps the tools from having to go through the washer and dryer. :)

City Survivor

If you are going into the city, staying at a hotel downtown, or work in a commercial building then it might be a good idea to put some universal access keys in a cargo pocket.

• 4 Way Sillcock Key

A 4-Way Sillcock Key (also known as a utility key or water key) is a compact, multi-tool device used primarily to operate sillcocks—outdoor water spigots or faucets—that don't have a standard handle. These are commonly found on commercial buildings, industrial sites, parks, and maintenance areas.

• Access water from tamper-resistant spigots:

Many public or commercial water spigots are designed without a turning handle to prevent unauthorized use. A sillcock key fits over the valve stem to turn it on or off.

• Emergency water access:

Preppers, urban explorers, and emergency response personnel often carry them to access water in situations where standard sources aren't available.

• Maintenance work:

HVAC technicians, plumbers, and maintenance crews use them for jobs in commercial buildings or public infrastructure.

While owning a sillcock key is legal, using it on a property without permission is not. It's considered tampering or trespassing in most jurisdictions.

• Multifunction Utility Key

Opens HVAC panels, electrical cabinets, elevator controls, etc. Often includes square, triangular, and circular bits used in commercial facilities.