Everyday Carry & Get Home Bag Basics

America is descending deeper into anarchy.  In case you didn’t notice, you are in a collapse.  With an open border, Democrats calling for defunding the Police, and support for Marxist organizations growing, normal citizens must take responsibility for their safety.  Police Officers are retiring in droves, and for the remaining officers, liberal mayors and city councils are restricting their Police department's use of force policies.   Citizens must be prepared to defend themselves; having the right equipment is critical!   Many carry EDC (Everyday Carry) kits on their person and get-home bags in their vehicles!

The Everyday Carry movement has grown exponentially over recent years.  For many, it is a lifestyle.  People are starting to carry self-defense items on their person, and their EDC is getting bigger and bigger to the point that cargo shorts with their many pockets are the usual attire for many.  The type of EDC a person carries depends on many factors, such as their situation, environment, and occupation.  I'm here to give folks some basic suggestions about what to have. 

Depending on your situation, your everyday carry may be only what you have in your pockets.  Some will expand their EDC with an extra satchel, backpack, or briefcase.   It all depends on your situation and what you think you will need. 

Before you go shopping for a bunch of cool gear, think about situational awareness.  Most people are not conscious of their surroundings, are you?  Be brutally honest and consider what you do when you're out of the house. Many people will walk right into danger because they do not pay attention.   Walking around looking down at the ground like you're searching for loose change is not the way to go through life.   You need to scan the area for possible problems to let criminals know you are aware of what's going on!

EVERYDAY CARRY ITEMS

Many people carry different stages of kits, having one on their person and another bag in the car with more items.

Firearm: Depending on whether you live in a free state or not, firearm carry may be illegal!   If you can carry, do so!  Ensure you are well trained and equipped, have some liability insurance, and know the statutes of concealed carry and use of force!

IFAK: The Individual First Aid Kit is a must-have.  It should include a Tourniquet.  Please place it in your vehicle where you can reach it!   I have seen some attached to the back of the driver's seat headrest.  During IFAK training, we conducted scenarios where we were made to get our IFAK out and place a tourniquet on a simulated wound, like being shot in the leg.  Some officers were unable to retrieve their IFAK from its storage spot.  Make sure you can get to it. Lives have been saved using a tourniquet, including a man in Texas who, before entering a mall that had a no-weapons policy, shot himself in the thigh while in his vehicle. A nearby LEO arrived, placed a tourniquet on the leg, and saved his life.

Knife: Everyone needs access to a sharp, quality knife.  Depending on where you live, you may need to carry a folding knife minus the flipper tab.   There is usually a law regarding maximum length, type, etc.  Many jurisdictions don't allow the carry of the "Butterfly" style knife.  Know the laws in your jurisdiction!  If you carry a knife presently, you know how useful they are!

Flashlight –Small flashlights with lots of power are great to have. It's dangerous to end up in the middle of nowhere without a light source. Flashlights can also be used as a self-defense weapon, temporarily blinding an attacker, or as an impact weapon! 

Pen & Paper—There are "Tactical Pens" out there that look like railroad spikes, but you can always carry a regular pen that is well-built and can be used for self-defense!

Wallet—These days, an RFID wallet/pouch is almost mandatory. Keep thieves out of your accounts and use RFID card sleeves at a minimum. A Faraday bag is also recommended, as your cell phone gives away your position.

Narcan: Given the amount of Fentanyl crossing the border, a dose of Narcan for everyone in your party is recommended.  Law Enforcement Officers are issued Narcan, so why not carry a few doses? Think about the Eustis LEO who almost died from Fentanyl exposure and was rescued by her fellow officers.

INTERNATIONAL EDC

I have traveled throughout Europe, and there are some strange laws.  Firearm possession is extremely strict, and concealed carry isn't happening legally, anyway.  Regarding knives, my nephew Marco gave me the lowdown on knife carrying.  Virtually any length fixed blade is legal to carry.  But my Cold Steel Tanto with a flipper tab is illegal! Many people carry pepper spray while traveling. This is also a good idea, as it may give you time to retreat from an attacker.

During air travel, some passengers (like me) place a large carabiner on their carry-on baggage to be used as impromptu brass knuckles in the event of serious violence on an aircraft.

Unfortunately, the TSA can make your time at the Screening checkpoint miserable.  The screening checkpoint manager has the authority to prevent you from taking items on board the aircraft as they have been given final authority regarding what's "legal" and what isn't.   I have seen passengers bring hard copies of the TSA regulations into the checkpoint, only to be told the item cannot be taken onboard as the screening manager has a catch-all provision allowing them to forbid any item they feel may be dangerous.

GET HOME BAG

As its name implies, a get-home bag is equipped with things to help you get home when bad things happen!

Water & Purification—Water is essential if you must abandon your vehicle and make the final leg of your journey on foot.

Firestarter – depending on your environment, the ability to start a fire may save your life!

Multi-Tool—These tools can be a lifesaver! They come in many sizes and are for many uses. Some are general, while some are specific to certain professions.

Maps—It's always good to have maps, know your area, and ensure you have a preplanned route home using back roads.

Money – Carry some federal reserve notes and some 90% Silver.

The problem with Get Home Bags is that you might need to make the final leg of your journey on foot!  If your bag is too heavy, you have issues!  That is one of the many reasons people must be responsible for their health!  Your hike will be short-lived if you're not in decent physical shape.

Now that you have some basic ideas, start shopping! I know money is short, but time is running short, too! The best time to assemble your kit was years ago; the second best is now

!