A Helpful Guide to Everyday Carry for Beginners

With the ever-changing world and the current events here in the Philippines, it is safe to assume that one is always at risk of something—whether it be a natural calamity, a man-made disaster, or accidents that can harm or put you in danger. That said, being prepared is something that you should always keep in mind, and there are things that should always be within arm's reach or on your body every time. 

Bringing your own EDC or everyday carry items will save you a lot of times when the unexpected happens. From random food cravings to disasters such as earthquakes, anything can happen in just a blink of an eye. So before we start, here are some criteria as to what you should carry every day besides your usual luggage. 

1. Should be light and easy to carry
2. Lowkey and does not attract attention
3. Does not look aggressive (e.g., exotic pocket knives)
4. Will be useful in times of emergency

With that said, here are some of the items that you can bring with you every day.

Powerbank and Compatible Cord

Of course, we always bring our trusty smartphones and gadgets wherever we go—be it the corner sari-sari store or your workplace—and we always use it for something that we need. In that case, a powerbank and your phone’s charging cord is a handy tool for when you run out of battery, may it be in the middle of an important call or when you need your phone’s longevity because you are stranded due to flooding. 

Alcohol and Face Mask

Brighter than the sun, you should always pack at least a mini sprayer or bottle of alcohol with you since you always need to sanitize your hand. Extra face masks will also save you when you get too sweaty or when you sneeze on your face mask. 

Communication Devices

Your phone is your primary communication device so you should always keep it within arm’s reach or on your body. Do your best to not lose your phone, but when necessary, you can let it go. If you are licensed to handle a walkie-talkie or a two-way radio, this comes in handy a lot of times since most radios nowadays are multi-functional with flashlight, am/fm radio, and a siren. 

Flashlight

Your phone already has a torch but a small, working flashlight will always help you out in dark (no pun intended) situations—be it to check your car’s engine or when you need someone’s attention when you are trapped. 

Pen

A pen may seem small and useless, but it's one of the important things that someone can carry because it is an item that can do a lot of things like writing something, poking accurate holes, and can be used as a weapon if need be. 

First-Aid Kit

Now, this may seem a little far-fetched, but this can be as small as a pack of band-aids or as large as a small trauma kit. This depends on your preference, but make sure that you have your own kit to help you or others in times of need. Do not forget to add your maintenance medicines in there if you need one like inhalers, anti-histamines, and the like. 

Comfortable Bag

If you are planning to be serious in carrying your everyday carry items, you are going to need a comfortable bag to put your items in. This can be as small as a pouch or a legitimate sling bag. But if your items fit in your pockets, then that’s so much better. 

Extra Cash

Your cash must not always be in your wallet since it is a huge target for a lot of criminals. You should always have extra cash hidden somewhere like in the case of your phone or in the in-soles of your shoes. It is your choice where you want to store your extra cash but you should always have some—even a random 10-peso coin will save you. 

Watch

From ancient times, travelers always relied on time and their navigation capabilities using the stars. Now that we have high-tech items, we can do everything we need with ease. A watch will always be helpful since it can tell time accurately. Moreover, some watches like the Garmin VivoSmart 5 can track your health in many ways such as your heart rate, your sleep quality, and the total number of steps you’ve taken. This watch also doubles as your smartphone so you can literally carry your communication device and your watch all at the same time—with added portability. 

Conclusion

Carrying your preferred items on a day-to-day basis will take discipline, effort, and planning since you are the one that knows what you need. May it be a morning jog or a quick night drive, you will always need something that you decided not to carry, so be smart on what you choose to bring with you. Always remember, it is better to bring it and not need it than to not bring it and need it badly.