Everyday Carry & Bug-Out Bag Guide

Preparedness doesn't have to mean a bunker full of tinned beans. My setup is two bags:

• EDC (Everyday Carry) bag: goes everywhere with me and covers the most likely day-to-day emergencies.
• Bug-Out Bag (BOB): lives in the car for the bigger stuff, such as when I can't get home for a day or more.

The EDC handles the first few hours. The BOB handles the next few days.

---

🎒 EDC Bag

🩹 Medical

• Basic first aid kit
• Burnshield hydrogel burn dressing
• Tourniquet (I cannot stress this enough!)
• Critical medication (prescriptions, chronic meds, etc.)

Tip: A tourniquet is only useful if you know how to apply it. Practise with it, and get proper first aid training if you can.

🔋 Devices

• Device chargers and cables
• Power bank
• Battery / crank radio
• LED flashlight (bright enough to double as a self-defence tool)

🧰 General

• Folding knife
• Multi-tool (e.g. Leatherman Skeletool)
• Rain protection (Drimac or similar)
• Protein bars
• Cash in small notes
• Lighter
• Red glowsticks (red light doesn't ruin your night vision)

🛡️ Self-Defence

• Pistol: ideally carried on your person, not in the bag. Choose something reliable with easy-to-find spares, such as a Glock or CZ
• Spare magazine / ammo
• Pepper spray

Note: Only carry a firearm if you're legally licensed and competent to do so, and know your local storage and carry laws.

---

🚗 Bug-Out Bag (In the Car)

🩹 Medical

• Large first aid kit
• QuikClot (haemostatic gauze)
• Space blanket
• Superglue (for quick wound closure; medical-grade skin glue is better)
• Vitamins
• Wet wipes
• N95 masks

🔋 Devices

• Spare phone (charged, with emergency numbers saved)
• Spare emergency radio
• Headlamp

💧 Water

• Water purification tablets / filter straw
• Water bottle

🍲 Food

• Dry food
• Tinned food
• Can opener
• Compound bow or similar for hunting (only if you're trained and permitted)

🔥 Fire

• Multiple fire sources: Zippo, Bic, ferro rod / firesteel, waterproof matches
• Kindling / tinder

🏕️ Shelter & Clothing

• Sleeping bag
• Tarp
• Spare clothes (rugged and warm)
• Spare waterproof jacket

🧭 Navigation & Signalling

• Compass (and a paper map of your area)
• Signal mirror
• Pen and notebook

🧰 Tools

• Fixed-blade knife with a thick blade
• Multi-tool (e.g. Leatherman Charge or Wave)
• Small pry bar
• 550 paracord
• Zip / cable ties

🛡️ Self-Defence

• Extra ammo
• Baton

📄 Documents

Keep these in waterproof ziplock bags:

• Copies of ID, birth certificate, driver's licence, firearm competencies and licences
• Copies of title deeds and other important documents
• Laminated card with your most important phone numbers

---

💡 General Tips

• Keep your fuel tank above half. You never know when you'll need to leave, or when the pumps will be down.
• Carry cash in small denominations. Nobody has change for a R200 when the card machines are offline.
• Rotate perishables at least once a year. Food, water, meds, batteries and anything else with an expiry date.
• Agree on a meet-up spot with your loved ones. Have a backup spot too, in case the first one isn't reachable.
• Keep alternate contacts. Know how to reach your loved ones' friends, colleagues or family if their phones are down.

---

Your kit is only as good as your knowledge of it. Check it regularly, practise with your gear, and adjust it to your own needs and environment.