For a while now I only take my phone and sometimes wallet while out and about on a daily basis. I’d like to be more prepared for things so I’ve picked up some kit, some of which I already had:
- A UK legal knife
- A multitool (screwdriver bits, bottle opener, pliers, etc)
- Emergency foil blanket
- Tinder starter/whistle
- Two gas lighters
- Keychain flashlight with integrated USB A port
- Field notebooks and fountain pen
- Lockpicking set with a pouch and a concealed credit card set
- Slimline 65W 20000mAh USB A+C battery bank
I’ve got a messenger bag I can fit this stuff in, which will also fit my laptop so I can carry that around more often too when that would be useful. Obviously some things like the foil blanket and tinder starter probably aren’t valuable in an urban area but they are so small and light I may as well include them. I plan to hang the messenger bag on the back of the front door with all this kit in so I always pick it up whenever I go out.
I wear different trousers every day and I’m useless for remembering to put stuff in my pockets so in terms of the pocket stuff it’ll just be phone, keys (with shopping trolley key, bottle opener, USB A+C drive, Yubikey), and a metal wallet with some cards, the card lockpicks, and some cash.
Does this make sense? Is there anything I’ve missed?
20Ah powerbank is too big. I would slim down to something as light as possible.
Keychain flashlight would be too weak compared to a phone. Leave it at home and if you notice the need, buy a proper one.
Instead of foil blanket take CPR kit / mask. Also learn how to perform CPR if you don’t know already.
Tinder starter/whistle. Two gas lighters. You would need max one source of fire.
For starters I would take a notebook and made a special page. So when you are in a pinch, and need a knife or a flashlight. Take a note and next you would be ready for the same situation that occurred.
What kind of phone flashlight do you have? In my experience my fenix e03r (or even a e05) blows a phone light out of the water and is a lot more practical to use. Personally i find my keychain light to be the most ofen used edc item closely followed by my small swiss army knive.