Kit Breakdown – My Backpack
The first level of every day carry (EDC) is a small pocket carry – typically your keys, phone, and a wallet. You can read my previous post about what items I recommend adding to fill out your pocket carry here. In addition to those items, I also carry a backpack when leaving the house on more extended trips. It will usually remain in the car, unless I’m walking far or feel a need to keep it accessible.
As always, I recommend using this guide as a starting point as you think about what you and your family might need as you go about your daily life outside of the house. Most people don’t feel a need to carry this much. However, the longer you’re away from home, or the further you’re traveling, the more prepared you need to be. Personally, I like to be prepared for a wide variety of scenarios. The key here is to pick and choose what is right for you and your situation. The goal in sharing my backpack carry is to inspire you to create your own.
Sometimes a basic pocket carry is all you need for a quick trip to the grocery store. But, if you’re going to be out all day, traveling far from home, or moving between multiple locations or types of activities, there are a greater variety of challenges you need to prepare for.
The links I provide below are as close as I can get to the actual items I personally carry. You won’t find high-end, top of the line products here. My goal is to make personal security approachable, practical, and relatable. To that end you will find reasonably priced items that will serve you well without breaking the bank. I prefer functional and affordable, so that’s what I recommend.
My Backpack Contents
Backpack – Don’t underestimate a quality backpack. I find it helpful to have a variety of pockets so that my items can be easily organized by function or frequency of use.
Trauma/First aid kit – This supplements the small first aid kit I carry in my belt pouch. It contains additional first aid items, as well as trauma items like a tourniquet. I keep a trauma kit in each of our vehicles and carry a modified version in my backpack.
Emergency toilet paper – This has been a surprise hero on more than one family trip. We’ll leave it at that… Buy one and toss it in the glove compartment.
Travel toiletries – Bug spray, hand sanitizer, sunscreen in small travel sizes. I have young kids and these items frequently come in handy.
Food supplements – Again, having a family, items like these make life more convenient. Protein/granola bars, electrolyte powder, and even instant coffee (for those caffeine emergencies). I also carry a camping spork that has been a surprise hero more than once.
Emergency documentation – This is more specific to extended trips and/or international travel. I carry a USB with copies of my drivers license, passport, and other important or helpful digital documents. Be sure to keep this secure both digitally and physically.
Hand monocular – A recreational tool for taking time to stop and observe nature. Kids especially enjoy it.
Electronic support – I typically carry a power bank (solar powered), headphones/earbuds, and a charging cable.
Water purifier – Thankfully, I haven’t had to use it out of necessity yet. However, water is key to survival and I like to be prepared. I use a Sawyer brand portable filter, bag, and straw. This is always in my bag for long trips and international travel.
Rain jacket – One that stuffs into a small bag for easy carrying around adds convenience.
Cloth wrap – A few years ago I bought a long cotton wrap in SE Asia and it get used all the time. It has served as a picnic blanket, baby wrap, towel, and scarf/shawl. I’ve had a hard time finding it’s like in the US, but you could grab any lightweight blanket.
Miscellaneous – There are plenty of other things that come and go in this bag. My notebook, laptop, kid toys, books, etc. It still functions as a regular backpack, adjusting to my daily needs.
Build your EDC backpack and be prepared!
Some of these items seem pretty straight forward, or common sense – like a rain jacket or phone charger. And yet, I know many people that don’t carry them. Other items are certainly a bit more extreme and rarely, if ever, get used – such as the trauma kit and water purifier. However, the reason I carry these items around with me is because I often travel in remote areas or internationally. I want to be ready for whatever my life brings. You can adjust your kit to fit what your life might bring.
It is very unlikely that most of us will ever find ourselves lost and helpless, with nothing but what’s in a backpack to survive on. But I like knowing that if I needed to, I could do it – at least for a day or two. And if I can do that, then I’m certainly prepared for the less serious inconveniences that might come my way.
On the other hand, carrying around some bug spray or a granola bar or a blanket to sit on has prevented many fun and impromptu outings from being stressful or even ruined. On many occasions it has just simply made life a little bit easier. And making life less stressful is a big part of personal security. We don’t just want to be safe, we want to enjoy life!
In addition to my daily pocket carry, having this backpack prepared in advance gives me something to grab on the way out the door and help provide basic, everyday security for my family while also not letting avoidable stress get in our way of enjoying life.
Related Articles:
- Here is my post on what Every Day Carry is, and why it’s important – Personal Security 101: EDC
- You should also consider putting together a Car Emergency Kit
- Check out this security tip on why you should at least be carrying a First Aid Kit
