From the category archives:

EDC

Casio G-Shock Watch Review with Suunto Clipper Compass

by Bryan Black on May 26, 2011

I get asked at least a few times every week, whether in our YouTube videos or through email, what kind of watch I’m always wearing.

I’ve been meaning to do a review on my Casio G-Shock DW6900 for quite awhile now and also share my thoughts on the small Suunto Clipper Compass that rides along with me wherever I go.

For the last 10 years I’ve worn exactly two G-Shock DW-6900 watches and have even tried other watches out. However, I keep coming back to my trusty G-Shock and feel I’m in a pretty good position to talk about their dependability. [Read More…]

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Every Day Carry Planning – Step Four: Assembling Your Kits

by Clair Schwan on February 22, 2011

5 of 5 in the series EDC Planning

Here is the last of a five part series concerning every day carry kits and how we might use a structured decision-making process to put them together. The first part of this series introduced the idea of deliberate and structured planning for reasonably foreseeable contingencies.

The second installment focused on conducting a security threat assessment (in the form of a limited example), so we’d have a basis for making decisions about what to carry. The third offering expanded on the example by discussing planned responses in light of the threats previously identified.

The fourth article in the series took the limited example a step farther by suggesting tools, resources and supplies needed in order to implement the planned responses. As we’ve seen in some of the comments, EDC is something different for everyone since the threats we perceive, and how we choose to respond to them will be different based on our particular situation, knowledge, training and personal preference.

Now, it’s time to speak to assembling kits. Using the items from the limited example constructed in the previous articles, I’d like to show how our every day carry kits can be kept in different locations, and how they can take different forms. Sometimes it’s as simple as putting items in your pocket, and other times we’ll need a bag, box, shelf or container of some sort to help us keep our necessities close at hand when we need them. [Read More…]

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Protect your iPhone with the Magpul Executive Field Case

by Bryan Black on February 3, 2011

One of the newest tactical accessories to hit the market is the highly anticipated Field Case from Magpul. Originally showcased at the 2010 SHOT Show, the Field Case was designed for the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

Upon it’s release a little over two weeks ago, an iPhone 4 version was also introduced called the Executive Field Case and is what we’ll be taking a look at today. The field case is in high demand and despite placing my own personal order for one the first day they were released, mine is still on backorder.

I was lucky enough to have been given one at this year’s SHOT Show by Magpul and you’ll find my written and video review below. [Read More…]

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Every Day Carry Planning – Step Three: Identifying Tools, Resources and Supplies

by Clair Schwan on November 5, 2010

4 of 5 in the series EDC Planning

Welcome to the fourth installment of a five part Every Day Carry series that shows how to use a structured thought process to create EDC kits for the home, vehicle, place of employment, and on our person. This article is where “the rubber meets the road” as it identifies the content of various kits using information from previous steps in the process.

In the last installment, planned responses were proposed for a list of twenty-eight security threats associated with the general areas of: crime; vehicle breakdown; and, severe weather. The threats were those that I perceive as reasonably likely to occur in my lifetime, associated with my lifestyle, and threatening my security, safety and health.

For the sake of brevity, this article will focus on planned responses for six selected security threats. This abbreviated list should give us plenty to look at, and still allow us to get through this portion of the analysis in short order. [Read More…]

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Every Day Carry Planning – Step Two: Plan Reasonable Responses to Perceived Threats

by Clair Schwan on October 25, 2010

3 of 5 in the series EDC Planning

Today we’re going to get into the third installment of our five part Every Day Carry series that suggests a structured approach to creating EDC kits for the home, our vehicle, our place of employment and to be carried on our person.

In the previous installment, a security threat assessment was conducted for three limited areas of interest: crime; vehicle breakdown; and severe weather. Using my lifestyle as an example, these three “vertical slices” were examined in detail to show how the process I’m suggesting can help create kits that are useful to respond to what we reasonably believe to be serious threats to our well being – matters that threaten our security, safety and health. (For an overview of the suggested analytical process, see the first installment in this series.)

In this article, I’ll take each threat element and create what I consider to be reasonable responses. The purpose of knowing the likely responses is to help us determine what tools, resources and supplies will be needed to effectively respond to the threats. This will form the basis for selecting candidate tools, resources and supplies for inclusion in our every day carry kits. [Read More…]

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Every Day Carry Planning – Step One: Security Threat Assessment

by Clair Schwan on October 5, 2010

2 of 5 in the series EDC Planning

This is the second in a five part Every Day Carry series to help show how careful and reasonable planning will promote better selection of tools, resources and supplies for EDC kits. The first article in this series presented an overview of the analytical process for deciding on the composition of our kits. In a nutshell, the process involves the following four steps:

Security Threat Assessment
Articulate Reasonable Threat Responses
Identify Necessary Tools, Resources and Supplies
Allocate Items Among EDC kits kept at Home, Work, in your Vehicle(s) and on your Person

This article addresses the first step in the process, conducting a security threat assessment to identify the scope of events we’d like to be better prepared for with our every day carry kits.

Since this is a structured thought process, we need to look at it one piece at a time for better understanding and to see how one portion of the analysis relates to others. If done correctly, we’ll have a complement of items that are essential for our EDC kits. In addition, the same process conducted in reverse will allow us to validate the content of kits we’ve already assembled. [Read More…]

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Every Day Carry: Careful and Reasonable Planning is the Key to Success

by Clair Schwan on September 3, 2010

1 of 5 in the series EDC Planning

The term “every day carry” or EDC is something that we’ve all heard about, seen and talked about. It’s a collection of tools, resources and supplies, kept readily available in the form of a kit, to help us better cope with emergencies and unforeseen circumstances that we might find ourselves swept up in.

The idea is a good one, with as many variations of EDC kits as there are individuals carrying them. Among all the discussion about what one might carry every day, there’s limited discussion regarding the reasoning behind each of the items in a kit, and even less discussion about a structured decision making process that should go into creating it. [Read More…]

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A Fire Starter That Will Last a Lifetime

by The ITS Crew on October 28, 2009

Inspired by a Vietnam era emergency sparking unit that TAD Gear’s CEO was shown, the Survival Spark fire starter features a unique twist on a classic design.

The first noticeable thing about the Survival Spark is how TAD necked down the original rectangular design to create a void where a needle and thread can be stored.

While this makes it harder to hold, once the recommended heat shrink tubing (discussed below) is installed, the increased real estate creates a better grip.

We feel that this modification created by TAD has benefits over the original design, but it also has a few drawbacks which we’ll discuss later in the article. [Read More…]

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Mugging/Theft Diversionary Device

by Bryan Black on October 24, 2009

I’ve been getting a few emails since posting my Every Day Carry kit in our newly created ITS Tactical EDC Flickr Group.

Most have been requesting more information about my secondary “giveaway” wallet.

I came up with this idea a few years ago, but have only recently gotten around to carrying it on a regular basis. [Read More…]

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Developing Your Every Day Carry Kit

by TJK on October 21, 2009

I’d like to thank ITS Tactical for providing the opportunity to share knowledge amongst us readers. Hopefully you find this article helpful.

What should you carry in your EDC kit? It depends. I can’t give you the answer, but I’ll try to help you to start thinking about it.

Before we start, it is important to know that an EDC kit is not a Survival Kit or a Bug Out Bag. It should consist of just the basic items to help you answer quickly to situations that could arise during your day. According to my philosophy, an EDC kit should contain the fewer items you can afford to carry. You use your pistol to get to your rifle, and an EDC kit should serve the same purpose. It should serve your needs until you get home, get to your car or get some help.

First of all, assess your environment. Do you live in a tornado area? Or perhaps in an earthquake prone zone? Do you have to drive long distances to get to work or will you stay a few blocks away from home? All this questions (and any other you can ask yourself) will help you to determine your needs. I guess what I’m trying to say is why carry a fully fledged 1st aid kit if you will spend your day only a few minutes away from a hospital?

In my case (and I write this down just as an example) I do live in an area that has been hit by earthquakes and that could potentially be hit by a tsunami. We have occasional storms and landslides. There is a growing danger of violent riots, especially on certain dates along the year. Also I work 40 minutes away from home, so there is the possibility of a car breakdown or witnessing a car crash on the highway. These are my potential needs. What are yours?

Once you are clear about your needs, it’s time to plan how you will face them. What tools will you need in case these situations arise? Don’t limit yourself to emergency situations. Are there any tasks you do normally that would benefit from having a certain item with you?

So now you have your needs, and the tools you could use. Step three is thinking about how you’re going to carry those tools. Will you use your pockets? A carabineer? A fanny pack? Perhaps you can carry a small backpack. How about your cars glove compartment?

Only after you have determined your needs and your resources (space available and capability of weight carrying), you can start building your EDC kit. Don’t just jump and buy stuff because someone else has it in his kit you saw on Youtube. Be smart. Think about how you will use your tools. Perhaps there are some tools that can perform more than one task. Remember, you have limited space available, and any weight you can avoid is bad weight. Remove everything that has no real purpose or anything you really don’t see yourself using. Now you are ready to pack your gear. Place it in a logical manner. Things you will use more often should be more accessible.

Summarizing, don’t start building your kit based on the tools. Start with your needs. Once you know your needs, you will know what tools to take with you and what tools should stay at home. Practice with your gear. Find new uses for it. The more you know, the more practice you have, the lesser tools you will have to carry. A good exercise is asking to yourself: “If I could only carry 3 items, what would they be?” Remember to keep revisiting your kit. If you’re doing something unusual, or going to a different place, perhaps your normal tools won’t be of any use.

So, do you already have an EDC kit? What are your needs and how do you address them? Post your experience!

What should you carry in your EDC kit? I can’t give you the definitive answer, but I’ll try to help you start thinking about what you’ll need.

Before we start, it is important to know that an EDC kit is not a Survival Kit or a Bug Out Bag. It should consist of just the basic items you’ll need to help you quickly respond to situations that could arise during your day.

An EDC kit should be as light and small as possible. You use your pistol to get to your rifle, and an EDC kit should serve the same purpose. It should serve your needs until you get home, get to your car or get some help. [Read More…]

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