"Be prepared" is the Boy Scout motto I have truly taken to heart. Nearly everyone has a few things they refuse to leave home without in case something unexpected happens. To some people, being prepared is just a habit, but I and many others view the emergency supplies we carry with us as a fundamental way of life.
So, what is "everyday carry?"
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Here's what's in my carry:
My personal load-out consists of a pocket notebook, two pens, a spare phone charger, a North American Rescue combat application tourniquet and trauma kit all packed into a small camo belt pouch that my girlfriend refers to as my "man purse." While a trauma kit and tourniquet may seem extreme, they are the two things that almost everyone in the movement carries, along with a notebook and multi-tool.
According to the National Academies of Science, the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 46 is trauma. That is why it is so important to carry a trauma kit and a tourniquet.
The other items that I carry have pretty simple uses. The notebook is used for writing ideas, reminders and to-do lists. The multi-tool has come in handy many times when there is something that needs fixing or adjusting, like fixing a broken shelf using the screwdriver on my multi-tool. Having my personal pack reassures me that I will be able to take on small situations because I'm always prepared. It really goes to show how simple things can be useful in everyday life.
What other items can you carry?
Things other than medical supplies and multi-tools are common carry items. The fidget spinner actually became popular among everyday carriers before it hit the mainstream, along with other fidget toys like cubes, patches, dice, beads and tops. Knives are especially popular for their versatility, since they can be used to cut open boxes, ropes, cable ties and more. Lighters have also found their way into the pockets of many, including people who are not part of the movement. I personally know quite a few non-smokers who carry a lighter but have never even heard of the movement. Tactical gear is a favorite among law enforcement, post-military and weapon permit holders alike. Tactical gear encompasses just about anything that you would need in case of an unexpected fight including concealed firearms, extra ammo, flashlights and spare medical supplies. The possibilities of things that people can carry are endless.
But what's the purpose?
While being prepared is the main goal of having your pockets filled with useful trinkets, many people also have other goals in mind when considering what gear to carry, such as aesthetic, weight, usefulness and versatility. Style is surprisingly a large factor for most everyday carriers and having items that are made of similar material like all wood or metal really does make for a nice Instagram photo that can show off your preparedness for life.
Other people prefer to make their load-outs more tailored towards specific goals, like trying to make the lightest carry with the most gear or the minimalism of finding only items that have three or more uses. The diversity of the movement means there's no wrong way to carry or wrong thing to carry.
I believe that everyone has the responsibility to be prepared for everything and anything. Whether you carry the most expensive gear you can find or just a pen and a small first aid kit, everyone should have a few things to fall back on if things go south. That is the goal of the everyday carry movement – to be prepared.
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