4 Everyday Carry Essentials For Self-Defence

Krav Maga News

We’re going to take a dive into the personal protection and safety world of everyday carry for self-defence, also known as EDC.

I want to be very, very clear about this: the tools that you carry on your person every day are for form and function.

It’s not just about being able to deal with a potentially bad person or someone who’s threatening you; it’s also for circumstantial things that happen.

For example, not being able to open up a box, not being able to see what’s around a corner, or being able to take notes about something—let’s say there’s an accident and you want to write down exactly what happened because you’re going to be a witness.

These are things that you typically wouldn’t think of when it comes to safety and security, but they very much matter.

So what is everyday carry?

If you’re part of the tactical crowd, you’re going to say it’s the weapons you carry on your person in case things go down, and for the most part, you’re right.

But EDC also includes everything you’re carrying on your body—not just weapons but also your wallet, keys, watch, backpack, and anything else attached to you. If you’re proactive about personal protection or recognise that your EDC could make you a target for mugging, you might think it’s a good idea to start carrying a weapon.

Some options people in other countries may consider are mace, a collapsible baton, a handgun, or even a knife.

But as I live in Sydney NSW, I don’t recommend any of these items, as they are illegal to use in our state.

You should carry tools, not weapons.

Tools are multi-purpose; for instance, a hammer can be used to drive nails in, pull nails out, act as a fulcrum, or even as a defensive weapon.

On the other hand, a weapon like a nine-millimeter handgun only has one purpose: to shoot. It doesn’t generally improve your life except in rare life-or-death situations, which doesn’t justify carrying it all the time.

Instead, I recommend something like a super bright flashlight, a tactical pen. For clarity, I’m not sponsored by any of these products; I just like them for my EDC.

At a bare minimum, these are the things that I encourage you and I implore you to carry on your person every single day.

1. Flashlight

Everyone’s phone has a flashlight, but the difference is significant. There are too many steps between pulling out your phone and activating the flashlight.

A flashlight has countless uses, like lighting your way, emergency use during a power outage, or drawing attention.

In terms of self-defence, blinding someone can be highly effective. If a person can’t see, they can’t fight. A flashlight can also be used for striking, adding a non-lethal aspect to your defence.

As much as I like flashlights for self-defence, carrying a bulky one can be inconvenient with other items like your phone, wallet, and keys.

That’s why I switched to pen lights for better convenience. Though they don’t have the power of larger lights, they’re a practical compromise.

There are many ways to use a flashlight for self-defence—not just blinding somebody but making physical contact with them as well.

So, a small pocket handheld flashlight with a minimum of 400 lumens is essential.

2. Pen

Having something to jot down notes with. Also, a pen can be a formidable weapon you can use for self-defence. Pens aren’t just for taking notes; they’re multifunctional. Always carry a pen to write down things in your environment, perhaps even noting someone who looks suspect.

There is no need to spend much money on tactical pens, as the humble BIC pen is more than formidable to complete EDC tasks for self-defence.

3. Mobile Phone

Most of us already carry our mobile phones; a phone can be an amazing self-defence tool when carried correctly and used as a striking implement.

I can’t speak for the health of your phone after, but if you ever find yourself required to use your phone in such a way, that is the least of your concerns.

4. Eyewear

Wearing glasses or sunglasses can be considered a liability during self-defence.

As such, tossing the glasses towards your opponent is more beneficial than potentially getting caught up in a scuffle with eyewear on that could create a lens pop situation on your eyes.

Whatever you choose for EDC should be something familiar that you’ve trained with.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a flashlight, tactical pen, eyewear, or mobile phone; if you haven’t practiced using it, you can’t rely on it in a stressful situation.

Becoming the weapon is essential—train in a way that makes you dangerous, so whatever you hold enhances your capability.

That’s my self-defence EDC. I carry these items with my wallet, keys, headphones, and backpack.

These tools best serve my lifestyle. Of course, training to use them is as important as carrying them on your person. We run an annual Everyday Carry For Self-Defence Workshop and incorporate the training into our weekly classes. Find the class that’s right for you and get started – it’s the best preparation you can get.