EDC Seminar - Vehicle EDC

Vehicle EDC

In the beginning of July I was invited by Jared Ross of Rockwell Tactical to speak at a conference he had arranged. The topic of the conference? Every Day Carry. My sliver to cover was EDC in a vehicle. I don't feel as though I was any more qualified than the other speakers for this particular subject, but it was all mine.

The day of the seminar my throat was about as sore as I have ever had , so of course I muscled through it. Its a good thing I had a microphone because my voice was giving out about 15 seconds into it. I cut short the time I was given because I didn't think my voice would hold out for long. I think I cut it down to 15 minutes or so. I told the participants I would put a list of things one should keep in a vehicle on the internets so they could at least see what is on my list even if they couldn't hear it. So without further ado, here is my list/notes.

Vehicle has 2 major advantages

Storage

Mobility

All of this is dependent on what vehicle you have, what type of storage is available.

Storage- how will we utilize the extra storage to supplement our normal EDC?

Water

Gallons from wally world, or a case of bottles , probably everybody here is not properly hydrated.

AMMO  There is a tiny chance you will ever need it to save yourself. It’s just not a necessity. Of course, I have 3K in there right now. Unlikely you will need it, but it does make for a great opportunity for an unplanned range trip

Med Gear

EDC should include med gear. The vehicle offers a chance to carry medical gear for yourself or more advanced medical care. More blunt trauma gear instead of bleeding gear. You don’t need to know how to use it, someone else might.

You will have a much better chance of being a hero with some medical gear than a gun.

Rifle? - #1 question. Should I , shouldn't I ? Personal choice. I cant answer that for you. Not everybody even wants to, but I carry a pistol when there is a 0.00% of a gunfight. If I feel it gets up to 1%, I’m bringing a long gun. If you are someone inclined to keep a rifle or any gun in your car LOCK IT UP!  I keep an AK and a chest rig locked under the rear seat.

Bug Out Bag/ Get Home Bag - That’s a whole different class, but keeping a backpack in the car in case you need to travel on foot is free.

Comms - A CB radio or a HAM, cell phone chargers

General Purpose -

Gloves

Flashlight/ headlamp (lithium batts)

Lighter

Toilet paper

Shop towels

Garbage Bag and or tarp

Road Atlas

Wool blanket or similar/ space blanket

Change of clothes (BOB) footwear for business and women

Cordage (paracord)/ bungee

Sunscreen and DEET

Cash

Mobility

This is usually the reason we even own a vehicle. We need to carry the stuff to keep it mobile.

Biggest thing here is fuel. I don't recommend carrying a gas can inside a vehicle. A pickup truck has some advantage here. But don't run your car until empty. A good rule of thumb is to fill it at the halfway mark. You could opt to carry an empty tank in the trunk.

Jumper cables, I shouldn't have to point this out we have all been on one end of a jump start.

Fluids - if your vehicle uses more trany fluid or oil, keep some in it. (Like a Chevy) Otherwise, you are likely fine

Spare tire and tools, check them and make sure they all work. Upgrade the jack and wrench if you like. When you air your 4 tires up, check the spare at the same time.
Tire repair kit, fix a flat.
A 12V air pump to go with that kit.

Duct tape

Extra fuses (especially for a VW)

Snow chains

Tools - A small toolbag with some open end/closed end wrenches, a pair of adjustables , screw drivers, pliers and a socket set would be a great start. Going further to a 3 lb hammer, some high temp liquid gasket and a variety of hose clamps. Like medical gear, you may not know what to do, but somebody else might.

Emergency

Fire extinguisher!

Road flares, signage.

Tow strap- for someone to tow YOU out

E tool

Hand saw , folding , wood, Chainsaw if you have a locking toolbox in a pickup

Seat belt cutter/ glass breaker, resQme central or individual.

Most importantly is get training in how to use the things you are carrying. Sure I said some things you might not know how to use but somebody else will. But that’s no excuse to ignore getting those skills. Put that stuff on your list of shit to learn.