We hope never to get into trouble or disaster. Yet no one can guarantee that this will never happen. To deal with this problem situation, you can take an everyday carry kit with you. Everyday carry necessities are everyday and easily transportable items that you have with you every day and that are indispensable in an emergency.
What is everyday carry?
Everyday carry (EDC) is a concept that emerged in the United States when people thought about what items they would like to have with them in an emergency situation. Both daily needs and realistic disaster and problem scenarios (e.g. power outages, floods, etc.) that occur in the place where you are staying were taken into account. EDC are items that you can take with you every day and everywhere and should therefore fit easily in your trouser pockets, a handbag, a hip bag or a small backpack. Heavy items such as sledgehammers, bicycle wheels or a table cannot therefore possibly be EDC items. You usually always carry EDC items with you when you leave the immediate vicinity of your home.
An EDC kit is not something that is just for preppers (people preparing for a collapse of social structures or a major disaster) or doom thinkers. It is something that is very easy for everyone to put together and can avoid many inconveniences.
What do I have to bring along?
What someone should take with them mainly depends on their own situation. Before putting together an EDC kit, it is best to check the possible problems that you can realistically encounter.
The most common components of an EDC kit
As mentioned, an EDC kit consists of different things for everyone. No one has exactly the same needs. However, there are things that you will find in practically every EDC kit. Moreover, you will notice that you already have many of these items with you as standard. Logically, these matters are far apart because the aim is to cover as many aspects of an emergency as possible.
Water is crucial for human survival / Source: Pexels, Pixabay
Water
A drinking bottle with water is crucial. A person can realistically go between 3 and 7 days without water, but after a few hours people will suffer from dehydration on hot days if they do not drink. For example, people who are stuck somewhere (e.g. an elevator or a train) can suffer from this. This drinking bottle can possibly be supplemented with something to eat.
Medication or aids
Are you taking medication that you absolutely cannot do without? Take at least an extra dose of your medication with you so that you have it with you if you get into trouble. You never know whether you will have to spend a night outdoors due to stormy weather, traffic jams or other calamities. Even if you lose a dose, you can always fall back on the spare dose you brought with you. For example, people who wear glasses can take lenses or spare glasses with them in case they lose their glasses.
Mobile phone or smartphone
Being able to call emergency services or family in the event of a problem is crucial in the event of a problem. Therefore, carry your mobile phone/smartphone with you as much as possible. Remember that the battery must always be sufficiently charged.
Flashlight
It is often recommended to take a flashlight or lamp with you. Do you come to an unlit place during the night, does the power go out or do you simply try to open your house door at night? Then a small flashlight is always useful.
Many people include a blade in their EDC kit / Source: CapCase, Flickr (CC BY-2.0)
Knife/multi-tool
Do you get stuck in your car after a car accident and have to cut off your belt? Should you open a box or cut a wire? Then a multi-tool or knife can be useful. Note that knife carrying is highly regulated in both Belgium and the Netherlands, so sometimes it is not advisable to have a certain knife or multi-tool with you. Before placing a knife or multi-tool in your EDC kit, it is best to check local legislation. Note that a multi-tool is preferable to a knife; a multi-tool has many more applications.
Lighter/matches
Being able to start a fire quickly and easily is important, even for those who do not smoke. If you find yourself in a position where you need a fire for warmth, to disinfect a needle or other object, … having a match or lighter is very useful.