“Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. Many times these items blend in with your every day life and anyone that saw the contents on your person would be none the wiser that this is a full survival kit.

In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness.”—everyday-carry.com

To ensure that you will always have a minimum level of preparedness for any event or disaster that life throws your way, your Everyday Carry items should include basic survival items carried on your person on a daily basis.

Your EDC should not be confused with your Bug-Out Bag (BOB). That is a completely separate set of survival items (more on that later).

If you think about it, virtually everyone already has an EDC. Most people carry a wallet or a purse to hold identification, credit cards, money, special licenses and emergency information. With modern technology, the vast majority of Americans carry a cell phone every day. According to a Pew Internet Research poll, 87 percent of adult Americans have a cell phone.