Take the story of American outdoorsman Aron Ralston.

He is very well known for surviving a 2003 canyon accident in southeastern Utah. During his ordeal, he amputated his own right arm with the dull blade of his multi-tool in order to free himself from a dislodged boulder, which had trapped him there for five days and seven hours. After freeing himself, he had to rappel down a 65-foot (around 20m) sheer cliff to reach safety.

While Ralston’s story is one of very extreme circumstance, it should help you begin to see just how important it is to have the right mindset and basic survival gear available at all times.

Before we can get into what you should include in your Everyday Carry Kit, it’s important to understand that EDC is about a “minimalist” approach. It’s only minimalist because there are some very important and definitive limitations. It’s not about what you can carry; it’s about what you will carry.