What is EDC?

In this increasingly unsafe world, we as individuals need to adjust our behaviors to better ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. We first need to be “situationally aware” of our surroundings, actively observing what is going on around us and looking for possible threats. Threats can be very obvious, as a traditional bank robber would be, or they could be something much more subtle, like a van parked next to your car when there are only two cars in the entire parking lot. Avoiding conflict is always the best strategy to live your life by, but when that is no longer an option, you must be prepared!

Being prepared is where EDC comes into play. EDC, or Every Day Carry, is about what you have with you each day that better prepares you to address those threats that leave you no choice. Most folks agree that as a minimum, your EDC kit should include a reliable, properly holstered and accessible firearm and a flashlight. Let’s talk about each of these and the role they play.

When it comes to self-defense, any firearm is better than no firearm at all. You need to select one that you are comfortably able to carry concealed, that you can shoot accurately and that you’ll practice with on a regular basis. If you don’t already have one, go to a range and rent several different sizes, calibers and manufacturers’ handguns and find the one that fits you the best. If you’ve never shot before, take an introductory course so you’re comfortable with the safety rules and the basics of firearm handling before range testing. Once you’ve identified the proper firearm, you’ll need to get a holster that will allow you to carry it safely, which means it completely covers the trigger guard to prevent an accident and will work with your body type and clothing choices. Depending on the capacity of your firearm, you may also choose to carry an additional magazine, which can be done in a variety of ways.

You may ask, “Why do I need to carry a flashlight?” The answer is two-fold. First, most defensive firearm events occur in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and second, as the safety rule says, you must “always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.” An EDC flashlight should be compact enough that you’ll carry it regularly but produce enough light that you can illuminate a completely darkened room. The good news is that you no longer need to spend hundreds of dollars on a great EDC flashlight. Since the advent of LEDs, the cost has come down and the illumination has gone up. One feature that’s a must-have is a tail-mounted activation switch. You’ll need to be able to turn it on and off with the thumb of your non-firing hand using that switch.

Finally, you should have access to a quality tourniquet and the training on how to use it. Have one in your home, one in your vehicle and one at work. Or, better yet, have one on your person. Free “Stop the Bleed” courses will teach you the proper time to use a tourniquet and the proper way to apply it. They are not just for the possibility of gunshot wound but are equally valuable for accidents around the house, on the trail or on the road.

Every person’s EDC kit will vary but yours should work for you and you should train regularly with it. Doing so will significantly improve your odds of surviving an otherwise tragic event. FBN

By Rob Wilson

Rob and Elise Wilson own Timberline Firearms. Both their business and their home were in the Tunnel Fire evacuation zone. While their home suffered significant damage from the heat of the fire, they are extremely thankful that it was not lost.