Recommendations for Every Day Carry Pack?

Hello,

I am a commuting (45 minutes drive each way) college student that is fairly new to the idea of prepping and survival. Recently I have been considering in creating a "Every Day Carry pack". I am wanting to create one that could fit in my bag pack.

I was thinking something like a small flashlight, granola bars?
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Also if anyone could post links to amazon products that they swear by that will be incredibly helpful. I would love to have a little pouch or bag that would hold most if not all of the items in the pack.

NOTE: I am a college student, so no knifes, no guns, no tactical tools are allowed in my every day carry bag.

Thanks in Advance,
Sage

 

Assuming you want one for survival try the following...get one of the sealed tin survival kits and replace the label with one from a can of sardine fillets and you will have a stealth survival kit with a single sided razor blade inside... add a wire saw, a match safe, magnesium fire starter with flint striker, a water bottle(stainless) purification tabs... , a pair of contractor garbage bags (55 Gallon size,) a small first aid kit, if appropriate a film canister fishing kit ( line, hooks sinkers float), 2 pair of socks some gloves, and pack it in a gallon ziplock bag... add your granola bars and some bullion cubes , spare batteries for your flash light a paracord wrist band and a p-38 can opener... for weapons consider a walking stick and a paracord monkeys fist lanyard/keychain with a "solid" filler in the monkeys fist... (depending on local laws anything from a marble to a steel ball bearing to a lead musket ball... your choice)... all of these things will depend on what your EDC is expected to do... a short hike home can use fewer of these items, a long walk may need more... customize it depending on your specific needs... when packing consider the following keep anything that is a must have on your person not in a bag, Items that have greater utility in your edc pack... everything else cached/stored else where... in your case knife, and other weapons...

YMMV

 

Wow, thanks so much for your reply. I will definitely look into all of your suggestions.

Sage

Oh and what are some other suggestions for food in the pack? Any other ideas of small things besides granola bars?

 

Jerky is always good, a cane can go anywhere you do, and there are entire martial arts techniques based on cane or quarterstaff. Slingshot would likely be overlooked as any type of weapon, but will put meat in your belly. A belt can also be used to catch and hold, or garrot if necessary. Check your local laws for items such as a sap (leather tube full of lead shot) which can do serious damage in close quarters, and do it quietly. A sandwich sized baggie full of fishing netting, fine enough to catch bait fish, or catch dinner. An auto-fisher or yoyo reel would be an asset to your fishing kit. A couple of snare wires (cable works well and a small snap link or wire can make it work with the yoyo reel.)

 

Jerky is good because it's protein, and it packs small and light. In addition to jerky, I like mixed nuts and trail mix. They don't pack as small but they're still light. Also, these are all "eat on the go" items that don't require any time or effort to prepare, which means not only do you save time and energy, but you can eat stealthily, if necessary, just like what you're getting from granola.

For strictly calories, you can always toss in a few of the traditional "survival rations" such as Mayday brand rations. I've never eaten one, so I can't necessarily recommend one brand over the other, but if you search this site you'll find reviews from folks who have.

One last thought - have you considered a vitamin powder that can be mixed with water? I carry Emergen-C brand vitamin C packs, and sometimes use them myself just for the extra vitamin boost - which is something that might be lacking if you aren't packing fresh fruits and veggies in your EDC. Again, these pack small and light and take no time or effort to prepare - just mix with water and consume.

 

A few more thoughts...

I'm going to disagree with @Witch Doctor 01 on only one thing - a P-38 can opener is good, but my vote goes to the P-51 - same thing but bigger and easier to handle. (For my clumsy hands, anyways...)

Keep batteries in your flashlight, but put them in backwards so the power doesn't drain if it accidentally gets turned on.

Have you considered a reusable water bottle or 2? I keep a pair of Green Canteens clipped to my GHB, so I can pick up water when it's available and take it with me. They don't really weigh anything when empty, but the option to collect and carry water is there. Add a LifeStraw portable filter and you're more readily rehydrated on the go, even if you're collecting water from questionable sources.

You might want to consider keeping your gear - spare base layers, tools for shelter, fire, etc - tucked away in your car/dorm/apartment, so you can change out books for gear in your "normal" backpack if the SHTF. Note - if you keep it all in a spare go bag, it might be more of a target for thieves, or draw unwanted attention in normal times. As an added bonus, if you're in a college environment, your normal backpack won't catch anyone's eye either pre- or post-SHTF, as it would if you were carrying a 5.11 Tactical bag or something like that. (There's a whole subject on what your bag should look like and whether you should avoid anything that looks "tactical", but in the case of a college campus, there's probably a greater benefit from blending in. Search "gray man" and decide what works best for you.)

Slingshots... Consider that a slingshot will be viewed by many as the tool of a vandal, used only by juveniles to shoot birds and windows. Depending on what you look like, among other things, a lot of old farts might think unfavorably of your decision to carry one - which is bothersome enough in normal times but could potentially carry greater consequences if you're out there on your own trying to get home in a less-than-normal environment. If your environment allows you to use one practically, then there's a benefit there. Otherwise, it might not be worth it.

Knives... I know, no knives on campus, but most people view a good solid knife as an essential... You might want to consider a utility folding knife with seatbelt cutter and window breaker, in the glovebox of your car. Nobody is going to question it in normal times, and you can always retrieve it as necessary, as long as you can get to your vehicle. It's worth having in your car anyways, for obvious reasons - but it might also be the tool that allows you to have a blade handy while staying under the radar...

 

i recommend the maxpedition beefy EDC bag. I have this and it works well, very organizable, and small. I work on a government installation, and carry this in my backpack. I even carry one of the tactical ink pens as a self defense tool along with the small self defense baton. as for a knife, i carry a swiss army knife and I never advertise having it. Ive carried one since the 8th grade, and never once had an issue.

my self defense tool: Amazon.com : P-15930. State Of The Art Kubaton Keychain A skull-crushing kubaton. This self-defense keychain is made out of hard steel and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand Panterrra : Martial Arts Weapons : Office Products

I use the tool as a part of my keys, and i have alot of them, so it blends in, and does not even garner a 2nd glance.

my bag: Amazon.com : Maxpedition Gear Beefy Pocket Organizer, Black : Tactical Bag Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

my ink pen: Amazon.com : UZI UZI-TACPEN6-GM Defender Aircraft Aluminum Tactical Pen with Glass Breaker and Cuff Key : Tactical Entry Tools : Sports & Outdoors

and I am a firm believer in the "gray man" be quiet, don't show off, and most of all avoid situations.

Go with a layered approach to your EDC. my EDC gets me to my backpack i keep in my car, which has more items to get me home or further if need be, and then my BOB at home is enough other supplies to get me wherever i need to go.

 

If you're living on campus the only things I'd suggest are extra socks and underwear, breath mints and condoms if you "get lucky".
Not being sarcastic but really, are you gonna get lost between the cafeteria, classroom and dorm ?
Toss in a small defensive flashlight with a crenelated bezel and a first aid kit while you're at it.

If you're commuting to school then add the breath mints and condoms to everything else suggested and toss a 10X12 blue plastic tarp and a sleeping bag in the trunk of your car and call it done.

Relax, keep calm and carry on.

Best wishes.

 

I actually am a commuter student. The drive is about 45 minutes each way, and I get a ride to school. At this point in time I do not have a drivers license or permit (yet).

 

@JABECmfg ... A p-51 is a great option... I was trying for smaller size.... I have both.. a P-38 with a extra large drinking straw sheath (to keep it from opening around my neck and the P-51 in my pouch...

 

if you are a commuter... add the following items where you can get them... Compass and a map from the state forestry department for the counties between you and you final location... ( forestry maps have all water sources that are available 365 days a year, as well as all of the usable back roads... in your vehicle store a 2qt canteen of water, additional clothes, and a #10 can toilet paper 2 Rolls and a bottle of 90% isopropyl alcohol... these can be used to heat your car, a cook pot , bucket, etc...

 

Nutnfancy's Urban Survival Kit may be helpful:
"Concept U.S.K." Surviving Urban Disaster Pt 1 - YouTube
"Concept U.S.K." Surviving Urban Disaster Pt 2 - YouTube

Main points:
What is your expectation/emergency scenario?
Make sure your bag or clothing does not attract attention - you want to blend in unless you are trying to be seen for rescue

 

The 5.11 MOAB-10 is my fav EDC pack. Its small light weight and single sling.

as far as what EDC items I like to have handy:

Water
Trail Mix
First Aid
flashlight with a strike bezel
extra batteries
titanium peanut lighter
bandanna
7" robo grip pliers

added note: On first aid I will always have an Israeli bandage, self adhering gauze and 3m wound closures. Everything else is negotiable but those (3) items are a must have.

 

Thank-you so much for all of the helpful suggestions. You guys have also have me many ideas

 

@ysage95 here is some personal & college stuff items for your EDC :
Watch
Water bottle
chapstick
umbrella
Working phone
few Clif bars/pieces of fruit
Small package of adhesive bandages
warm hat and gauntlets (during cold weather)
pen & notebooks

 

Umbrella also protect from sun. Now what you think?

 

Turn umbrella upside down and now you have a rain water collector.

 

Make it this umbrella.
Dry and dangerous: the Unbreakable Umbrella and you add water catchment, to legal defense tool. You could even add camo and use it as a portable blind.