EDC Survival Essentials You Need

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If you’re new to prepping, you’ve probably come across the term ‘EDC’ by now when trailing through websites and books. ‘EDC’ simply stands for ‘Everyday Carry,’ referring to items that
you can keep on your person at all times, and easily carry around all day, every day.

With this in mind, it can seem like every item suddenly becomes suitable as an EDC, but, as all good survivalists know, you don’t want to weigh yourself down with too many useless gadgets.
Many of the most crucial EDC items will be things you’re already likely to carry, such as a wallet and a watch, so don’t feel too overwhelmed by the prospect of EDC items.

However, there’s certain gear that you might not already keep in your pockets. For your convenience, I’ve composed a list of my top 5 EDC Survival Essentials, to ensure that you only
carry around the absolute necessities.

Let’s take a look, and see what gear you should always carry, even without a bug-out bag or backpack.

Multi-Tool

This might be my number one EDC Survival Essential.

Why?

Well, you never know when a multi-tool could be lifesaving. You can’t always anticipate what situations you’ll come up against when you need to survive, so a multi-tool provides a host of gadgets that can help you stay prepared no matter what.

The main component of a multi- tool will be some kind of sharp knife, which can be used for a variety of purposes. Don’t be fooled by the size of a multi-tool – the knives included can be deadly, and help you out of tough situations just as good as large survival knives can.

Multi-tools are reflective of their name, so you can expect a multi-purpose item. That means, in addition to a high-quality knife, many multi-tools will also come equipped with other useful items, such as a screwdriver, pliers, and a bottle opener. These might sound meaningless now, but when you’re stuck in the outdoors with no supplies, these items could be the key to helping you survive.

There are many great multi-tools on the market right now, and you can check out my top picks here for more information.

Paracord Bracelet

Worn on your wrist, it really is a no-brainer as to why a paracord bracelet works great as an EDC. Paracord is a must-have material for any survivalist. It can be used for all kinds of scenarios, as it is lightweight around your wrist, but strong enough to help you carry equipment, and even build shelters.

Most paracord bracelets have a breaking strength of around 550lbs, so their strength isn’t to be ignored! Along with having a super-strong, useful material conveniently wrapped around your wrist, paracord survival bracelets can often feature extra gadgets, such as a small compass, or even a fire starter, so you’ll have even more gear easily at your disposal.

Flashlight

It goes without saying that flashlights are a necessary item for any emergency situation.

However, you don’t want to be carrying around a bulky flashlight every day, and that’s why many companies have designed aptly named ‘EDC’ and ‘Tactical’ flashlights to help resolve this. A small, budget-friendly flashlight might do the trick, but ones that are built specifically for EDC and survival are your best bet. Flashlights are essential for both wilderness and urban survival situations. They can not only help you to rescue others, but can help you attract attention when you need rescuing, and are also vital in case of a blackout.

Whistle

If you’re new to the world of prepping and survivalism, this one making our list might seem a little unusual. However, whistles are an essential survival tool, and could be life-saving when you least expect it. If you lose your group, or find yourself stranded, a high-pitched, loud whistle is one of the best ways to easily attract attention and alert others of your presence.

Many whistles are built with this in mind, and now come equipped with high-level decibels for this purpose. Gone are the days of whistles being used merely for the football field. Who knew they would be a life-saving survival tool as well?

Look out for brightly-colored options, as these will also enhance your visibility and your chances of being found. Whistles won’t weigh down your pockets, so make sure to get your hands on one as part of your EDC Essentials list.

Lighter

You should make yourself aware of how to start a fire if you don’t already, but regardless, a lighter will fit in your pocket and is a time-saving way of getting a fire lit.

It doesn’t need to be too fancy, as even a low-cost, standard lighter will work better than none at all. However, if you can get your hands on one more suited to survival purposes, there’s plenty of options available online.

As long as you have some form of lighter, you’ll feel more prepared and ready to handle whatever happens.

Editor’s note: I love this lcfun Waterproof Lighter. It is an electric lighter, so you don’t have to worry about leaking fluid. This lighter is windproof in addition to the case being waterproof. It is USB rechargeable, and weighs less than 2 oz. I keep one in my Go bag and absolutely recommend it!

Cell phone

A charged cell phone can help in about 95% of all emergency situations. Simply being able to alert others to your emergency condition and your location can save your life faster than just about anything else out there. Most emergencies, such as medical emergencies, can be resolved shortly simply by dialing for help.

I think most people now a days have a cell phone. But do you keep it charged? Do you have a way to recharge it on the go?

For more on cell phone usage during emergencies, please click here.

Recap

It might seem basic, but narrowing down your essentials list will help to not only free up space in your pockets, but will also make you a better, more efficient survivalist.

It’s important that you only carry what you need, so, as tempting as it may be, try not to go overboard and stock up on tons of random gadgets that have the word ‘survival’ thrown in their name.

And remember, you actually need to carry these items! It’s no good having them lying around at home – they need to be taken with you every day for you to feel the benefit, and, most importantly, feel prepared.

What other EDC survival gear that might be overlooked or not listed here? Let us know in the comments below.

Editor’s note: For more on what I carry in my EDC, please check out these articles:

EDC: What’s in your pockets?
EEDC Bag – What is it? Do you need one?

Stay safe out there!

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