I guess I’ve always had a tendency toward preparedness, even without giving it a lot of thought. I’ve always carried certain items in my purse that would help me tackle common, every day emergencies, such as headache medicine, Band-Aids, safety pins, Kleenex and an umbrella. I also usually keep a protein bar in my bag to help regulate my blood sugar (and keep me from becoming a cranky beyotch) when I am stuck out running errands between meals. So it wasn’t that big of a stretch, once I became more preparedness-minded, to convert my purse into an every day carry emergency kit.
So here, along with my wallet, cell phone and umbrella, is what’s in my purse at all times:
- My key ring, which carries a lot more than keys. It also holds a cannister of pepper spray, an emergency whistle, and a small flash light. I would like to eventually add a Swiss Army knife, but that will have to wait until there’s a little more room in the budget.
- A pillbox that, in addition to two types of painkillers, also holds a few doses each of Immodium and Benadryl.
- A bandana, which has dozens of potential uses.
- A dust mask. Of cours, a bandana can be used this way in a pinch, but it doesn’t hurt to have the actual thing on hand.
- A pony-tail band.
- A book of matches that I keep in a zip-lock bag so they won’t get wet. The zip-lock bag itself could come in handy in an emergency—for example, it could be used in concert with the bandana to help me filter contaminated drinking water.
- A 20 oz. bottle of water.
- Two Balance bars
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- An assortment of adhesive bandages, some of which are pre-coated with Neosporin, some additional single-use packets of Neosporin and some alcohol wipes.
- A packet of Kleenex.
- A mirror—not just to check my hair and makeup. A mirror can also be used as a signaling device if you become lost.
- A deck of playing cards (to help pass the time and keep me sane if I get stuck somewhere; I also usually carry a book if I know I’m going to be waiting a while for something).
Soon I’ll also be adding a small Leatherman multi-tool
For some good advice on what to pack in your every day carry kit, check out Disaster Survival Guide’s list of Disaster Emergency Kits.
So what’s in YOUR every day carry kit?
With the multitool you really don’t need a Swiss Army Knife, as it’s superior in every way. I would also recommend the following additions:
A cigarette lighter
A length of paracord
A small, fixed-blade knife (like a Mora) or a tactical folder
A foldable poncho (you can get disposable ponchos at Wal-Mart for 99 cents)
I know I don’t really need one, but I still want one. Husband has both (he has multiple multi-tools, actually) and he still uses his SAK all the time.
A lighter and a poncho are both on my list to add to my EDC. I have a good solid knife with a braided paracord lanyard in my Get Home Bag (which I’ll do a post on at some point), which I take with me if I go more than a mile from home. But one of these days I’ll get around to making a paracord fob for my key ring.
Unless it’s a BIG knife, I think it’ll do more good in your EDC than in your GHK.
Here’s what I carry: http://lurkingrhythmically.blogspot.com/2011/09/whip-it-out.html
It is pretty big. It’s the Bear Gryll’s knife by Gerber, the one with the built-in fire starter. I need to get something in between that and my multi-tool blade, but that’s on the wish list for now.
Fixed or folding? And how long a blade? For your wish list, I mean.
Well if it’s for my purse, it’s gotta fold. But Husband is the knife
fiendexpert. He’s probably got something all picked out for me.Actually what I REALLY want for my purse is a conceal carry weapon. But first we have to get the weapon, then we have to take the class and get the license, so that will be a while. Not sure exactly what I want along those lines yet, but I’m leaning toward something in a baby Glock.
The Glock 26 is really nice, but is also expensive. The S&W M&P is also a good choice.
Let me know if Hubs doesn’t get you a knife for Christmas. I can hook you up. 🙂
Just thought of something else which would be useful: a tube of superglue. (The squeezable type, not the pen type.)
You can use it to:
* Stop a hem from fraying
* Keep a torn nail from getting worse
* Serve as an emergency bandage (especially in cold weather, when adhesive bandages won’t stick)
Good addition. I know Husband picked some up for our emergency supplies but I don’t have any in my personal kit.