8 Essential Items For The Perfect Portable Survival Kit

by Gaye Levy

There is a popular school of thought that dictates that your survival kit should follow you everywhere. Within this context I am not referring to a bug-out-bag or a vehicle emergency kit but rather a small, portable survival kit that you carry with you during the normal course of living your life. This kit is commonly referred to as your EDC, or Every Day Carry.

I feel that the term “EDC” is misleading because it implies a set of items that is always with you, no matter what. The reality is that you may have multiple kits and multiple EDCs, each suitable for a different set of circumstances.

In my case, for example, I have a portable survival kit for running around the neighborhood, either on foot or by vehicle, and another for venturing into more populated urban areas. They both, however, have as their basis some basic, foundation items that I will describe today.

I call this my perfect portable survival kit.

The Portable Survival Kit

One thing we all have in common is the need to have on our person a few essential items that will get us through a day pack, handbag, and glove box.

The list is a simple one, and while the sky is the limit when it comes to purchasing survival gear, this entire foundation kit can be put together with quality items for less than $60. Or, even better, for almost nothing if you use items you already have laying around the house.

1. Pocket Knife

The knife I chose is my favorite Kershaw OSO Sweet. It is sturdy with a strong blade that holds its edge well. It is not as bulky as some other folding knifes nor is it as heavy. It just works.

2. Flashlight

Because I wish to carry my portable survival kit in a tin, size in important. I like the Blocklite because its form factor allows it to easily fit in tight space. The LEDs are bright and the 9Volt battery holds its charge of a long time.

3. Paracord

I prefer a paracord lanyard over a bracelet because I can use its clip to attach my whistle as well as other items that I may want to add from time to time such as a second flashlight, a Swiss army knife, pepper spray, or a flash drive (thumb drive).

4. Lighter

While not a fire-starter per se, I carry a BIC lighter in my tin because wood and biomass is abundant in my home community. In my vehicle and bug-out-bag I have a magnesium flint plus petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls. I do not include them in my day-to-day portable survival kit. Your needs may vary.

5. Survival & Safety Whistle

I own at least a dozen whistles. Even though it is larger and more bulky than most, the Windstorm Safety Whistle is the one that carries its signal the farthest and the loudest. I know this because I performed tests myself. For day-to-day running around, I consider my whistle to be as important or more important than any other item in my kit.

6. Band-Aids

The ubiquitous Band-Aid requires no explanation. Cuts and scrapes happen and Band-Aids take up so little room that there is no reason not to include them.

7. Lavender Essential Oil

Because of its powerful antiseptic qualities, I include a small bottle of lavender essential oil in my kit. Lavender can be used to clean a wound, prevent infection, zap a headache and serve as an all-purpose first aid ointment. There is a reason it is called the Swiss army knife of essential oils. See 25 Uses of Lavender Oil for Survival.

8. Tin or Pouch to hold It All

I am a neat freak so having everything nicely organized in a tin is a bonus. I know that many folks can stuff their EDC items in an Altoid tin but I needed something larger so I re-purposed one of my Spark Naturals tins. What I like about it is that it has a clear lid so I can see inside. My tin is approximately 3.5” by 5.5”.

You may prefer a pouch or plastic container, but regardless, this is something you likely already own that can be repurposed to hold your kit.

Beyond the Foundation Kit

Before you click away thinking that this is in no way a survival kit, remember what I said at the onset. This is a very basic and very portable survival kit designed for everyday running around as you go about the daily business of life. It does not include water or water purification tabs, food or protein bars, pepper spray, space blanket, compass, or any of the myriad other items we need to have with us during our travels outside our immediate our home area.

Modify this foundation kit or add to it. It is your job, no, it is your duty, to evaluate the risks you face daily and build a perfect portable kit that meets those needs.

The Final Word

When it comes to a portable survival kit, you can opt for 10 pounds worth of gadgets stuffed into your pocket or on a massive key ring, or, you can do what I do and create different kits serving different purposes.

I have shared my personal kit with you not so that I can sell you stuff or even postulate the pros and cons of one kit over another. Rather, in my usual style, I want you to think about your risks and your needs and put together a portable survival kit that not only works, but that is one that you will actually carry with you.

At the end of the day, it is the kit you are willing to carry that becomes the ultimate EDC.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!