airballrad's EDC bag

Post by **airballrad** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:37 pm

Since I have spent so much time building/rebuilding BOBs, GHBs, and FAKs lately, I figured I may as well tear apart my EDC bag too. I work in an office, and this bag is always in my cubicle, which is about 25 meters or less from any point in the office. It is mostly computer stuff and tools, but there are a few other things in there too, in case this bag is all I have to work from. It also goes with me when I need to head to our hosting facility to dink with the servers. I justify this as being Bugout gear, since it will definitely go with me in a BOV. Probably not on foot though...

The Bag

The bag is a SwissGear something-or-other by Wenger that was in the clearance aisle at Kohls for $30. It is starting to get a bit frayed after 2 years, but it has seen some heavy use so I am satisfied with it.

The Computer Gear

From top left, more or less:

cheap hand-crank flashlight and radio with FM/AM/NOAA bands
USB flash drive
power adapter (110v AC to 5.5v USB) and international plug tips
75 watt power inverter
cell phone charger
MP3 player
stereo ear buds
USB cable
power adapter (110v AC to 12v DC)
Laptop adapter
umbrella
notebook
laptop
aircard (provides up to 3 MBPS if the signal is good enough)
wireless mouse
USB LEB flexlight
USB camera

Misc. Stuff

Miscellaneous stuff that lives in the bag:

krazy glue one-use tubes
cell phone ear bud
playing cards
DVD (in case I have to kill a couple hours on a closed highway)
large bandaids
hand salve
cough drops
passport
gum
antibiotic ointment
small personal FAK (mostly OTC meds)
clear duct tape wrapped around a card
Photon Freedom microlight
minimag w/ LED conversion
Zebra compact ballpoint pen
sharpie
diamond knife sharpening rod
multi-bit precision screwdriver
lens cleaner
batteries (AA and AA)
multi-bit screwdriver
ethernet patch cable
Leatherman Wave with tool adapter
Leatherman c303 knife

Micro BOB

The micro BOB is my concession to the possibility that THIS is the bag I will have when the SHTF, and my GHB and BOB are well out of reach.

emergency poncho
AMK PSP
AMK Pocket Medic
Swiss Tech Microplus tool
HeatSheets blanket
Gerber keychain flashlight
bandana

Post by **IllicitDreams** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:34 am

I like this... some great ideas.

I carry a Mossimo messenger bag to work, and it contains most stuff I EDC except for what's carried on me. I have a small SHTF kit in it as well just in case.

Post by **ironraven** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:34 am

My only suggestions:

Water bottle(s)
Head strap for the Minimag
Screen wipes
Cross over cable

Post by **airballrad** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:53 am

IllicitDreams

Thanks... I've considered going back to a messenger bag, but the backpack setup is nice because the laptop gets heavy after a while, and in a real SHTF where I need to walk I can carry more/heavier gear this way.

ironraven

Good points, as always.

I usually throw a bottle of water in when I am leaving the office for the day or when I am heading to another work location. There is a mesh side pouch for that to keep it away from the electronics. Minimag headstrap has been on my list for years; should probably pick that up... The lens cleaning wipes above are also good for screen cleaning (so says their packaging). Our switches don't really need crossovers anymore, but I should probably make one to keep in there anyway, just in case.

Post by **JIM** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:56 am

Narnia... sigh..

Anyhow, looks good. Especially the PSK (no, it's NOT a mini-bob)

Post by **airballrad** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:01 am

JIM

Semantics...

You know, I've been carrying that movie around now for over a year... I should probably watch it at some point...

Post by **IllicitDreams** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:54 am

airballrad wrote:IllicitDreams

Thanks... I've considered going back to a messenger bag, but the backpack setup is nice because the laptop gets heavy after a while, and in a real SHTF where I need to walk I can carry more/heavier gear this way.

It's definitely easier to carry it in a pack vs. messenger bag. I just rotated out of my Jansport backpack, I'll wash it, and put it back into rotation

If something happens while I'm carrying the messenger bag I'll just sling the strap across my chest and carry it that way, it distributes the load better. But it still doesn't beat a backpack for carryability.

Post by **Squirrley** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:45 am

airballrad wrote: Our switches don't really need crossovers anymore, but I should probably make one to keep in there anyway, just in case.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/7470/

Saves you from carrying another ethernet cable.

Post by **airballrad** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:00 pm

squirrley... While cool, the last thing I need is another friggin adapter. Besides, I JUST kicked my ThinkGeek addiction.

It is now an REI addiction...

Post by **tilt** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:26 pm

The one tool I always carry in my bag while doing computer work is a Klein 10-in-1 screwdriver. It has ball bearings instead of magnetic bits which reduces the risk of magnetizing hardware. The bits will do 1/4 nuts, phillips, standard, torx (the exact size that macs use), etc. Anyhow, for $15 tops at home depot near the electrician's stuff it's the best screwdriver I've ever owned.

just one guy's opinion...