The Best EDC Flashlights – Our Picks and How to Choose

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After essential basics such as a wallet, keys, phone, and knife, finding the best EDC flashlight is an important element of developing your every day carry kit.

Having a good flashlight can improve survivability in many situations in addition to it being highly useful in day-to-day circumstances.

With the right EDC flashlight, you’ll never get caught in the dark!

There are a lot of EDC flashlights on the market, and it can be confusing to find the best flashlight for your EDC kit. We will help your search by showing our Top 10 and give our picks for the best overall, entry level, and mid-level EDC flashlights.

We will also discuss what qualities to look for when choosing your EDC flashlight for your needs including features, lumens, beam types, switch variations, and more.

Note: If you are new to the concept of EDC (Every Day Carry), you may want to check out my article here, which explains the basics and will help you design your first EDC kit.

Best Overall EDC Flashlight: Fenix PD35

With a scorching 1000 lumen output, the Fenix PD35 is practically a lightsaber. That level of illumination is effective for tactical usage and any basic task that you could throw at it. This lumen output is even more impressive given the flashlight’s sub-$100 price tag. The Fenix PD35 has 6 output options for outstanding versatility and weighs in at only 3oz.

If having a reliable, extremely bright light is essential to your EDC kit, this is the one for you.

Best Mid-Range EDC Flashlight: Olight S10

The Olight S10 is a compact powerhouse. Its tiny size (2.7 x 1.9 inches) and minuscule weight (2.4 oz) make it ideal for a lightweight EDC kit. The Olight S10 packs 320 lumens into this tiny package and can cycle through its 5 pre-programmed modes of high, medium, low, moonlight, and strobe.

All that versatility stuffed in a tiny package makes this flashlight an easy choice at approximately $50.

Best Entry-Level EDC Flashlight: Fenix E12

The Fenix E12 is a gem in the entry-level EDC flashlight field. It is reasonably priced in the sub-$30 range and produces 130 lumens in a compact package that makes it perfect for a keychain light. Add the versatility of running on a single AA battery, and you have a real winner for a basic every day flashlight.

Flashlight Features: How to Choose the Best EDC Flashlight

Whatever EDC flashlights you consider you should be aware of these basic qualities when determining which one is best for you.

Lumens

Most flashlights will describe how many lumens the light produces in their packaging or product descriptions.

Understanding lumens gives you an excellent way to perform an apples-to-apples comparison of the most basic function of an EDC light which is providing illumination.

A lumen is the unit of measure of the total amount of visible light produced by a source. Basically, how bright the flashlight is. The more lumens it can produce the brighter the beam will be.

Basic flashlights are usually 10 lumens, and high-end search and rescue lights can be over 18,000 lumens.

Typically, EDC flashlights will be in the 50-1000 lumen range but consider how you are likely to use your light to help determine how many lumens you really need.

Bulb Type

Since the invention of the flashlight, incandescent bulbs have been shedding light into the dark corners of our lives. However, in recent years, LED (Light Emitting Diode) flashlights have begun to take over this role. LED lights are particularly favored for every day carry kits because they offer greater efficiency, better battery consumption, greater brightness, and far better impact resistance than old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.

Choosing an LED based bulb for your EDC flashlight is a no-brainer at this point.

Battery Type

Most commercially available flashlights use either AA or CR123 batteries. While AA is the tried and true old guard, the CR123 is a more recently available challenger.

AA Batteries for your EDC Flashlight – AA batteries have been around for many years and are a reliable source of power for many gadgets. AA batteries are based on alkaline cell technology that is tried and true. AAs are typically cheaper and more widely available than newer batteries as well as being a smaller diameter and longer in size.
CR123 Batteries for Your EDC Flashlight – CR123 batteries are based on lithium cell technology and can provide greater energy storage and output allowing for a brighter, longer lasting flashlight in most cases. CR123 batteries are however more expensive and less readily available than AAs, and although they are shorter in length, they have a wider diameter. Because of this, flashlights using CR123 batteries are typically more compact but fatter than ones using AAs. CR123 batteries are also typically lighter (.6oz for CR123 compared to .9oz for AA) which can result in a lighter flashlight overall. Lithium cell batteries also provide higher performance in cold temperatures.

So, which battery is best? It depends on what you are looking for.

If you want a light that uses a battery that is more readily available in a survival scenario, AA is probably best for you. If performance and weight reduction are paramount to you, CR123 is the way to go.

Generally speaking, for an EDC kit, where the availability of batteries isn’t really an issue, CR123 is a nice option.

Flashlight Size

As with most EDC gear, keeping things compact is essential.

No one wants to carry anything heavy or bulky with them as part of their every day carry kit.

The best EDC flashlights can typically provide a high amount of illumination while staying under 4″ long. The trade-off for having a tiny EDC light is that you will have less space inside to fit a battery so you may sacrifice some power if you choose an ultra-compact flashlight. This is an important trade-off to consider, and you will have to strike a balance when finding the best EDC flashlight for you.

Waterproof Rating

You never know what conditions you will need to use your EDC flashlight in. However, if you may need illumination in the rain or during a flood, having a light that is not waterproof is about as useful as not having one at all.

Most quality lights will be rated as waterproof or at least water-resistant. Flashlights are typically rated using an IPX code which identifies water resistance testing and capabilities (see the chart below).

The bottom line is if you are looking for a flashlight for EDC purposes and it is not listed as being waterproof, move on to an option that is.

Body Construction Material

A metal body flashlight will be tougher and be able to take more abuse than a plastic one. Having a durable flashlight is important it will likely receive some knocks, drops, and bumps as you carry it every day.

Selecting a metal flashlight will result in a longer lasting tool that is functional when you need it.

Weight

As with any item on your EDC list you want something that provides the greatest utility at the lowest weight. No one wants to be carrying around an anchor in their pocket, purse or EDC bag. When selecting the best EDC flashlight for your kit, you can keep weight down by choosing a small light or one made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or titanium. Selecting a flashlight with a CR123 type battery is another way to save weight. Look for a flashlight that weighs less than 5 oz to keep your pockets light.

Beam Features

Adjustable beam – Having an adjustable beam significantly increases the versatility of your EDC flashlight. Being able to choose to illuminate a wide area when conducting a search and then changing to a narrow beam for signaling or tactical scenarios will make sure your EDC light meets any need you may have.
Flashing/Signaling Capabilities – Some flashlights come with multiple modes available beyond the ability to shine a plain beam. While this may not be a feature you think you would need, flashing and signaling capabilities can come in handy. Both are invaluable when trying to signal for help or to communicate at a distance in the dark.

Attachment Options

Just about any quality EDC flashlight will have some attachment options. Attachment options usually include a pocket clip, lanyard loop, carabiner clip, or keyring. Make sure whatever option the EDC light you choose is compatible for how you intend to carry it.

Even the best EDC flashlight will bring frustration if you can’t carry it that way you want.

Switch Type

Like the attachment option, make sure the switch your EDC flashlight uses is compatible with the way you intend to carry it. Most importantly make sure that the switch, twist collar, or button, is reliable and will not turn on while in your pocket or bag. Nothing is worse than opening up your bag and seeing the weak yellow glow of a flashlight with a dying battery right when you need to use it.

Parting Advice: How To Pick The Best EDC Flashlight For Your Needs

As you can see, there are a lot of options out there when trying to find the best EDC flashlight.

Remember the basics of finding a reliable light that is comfortable to carry around with you on an everyday basis.

Don’t skimp on quality and look for features that match your specific needs.

Feel free to refer to our favorite EDC flashlights as options for your kit:

Best Overall EDC Flashlight: Fenix PD35
Best Mid-Range EDC Flashlight: Olight S10
Best Entry-Level EDC Flashlight: Fenix E12

Want Even MORE Info On Building Your EDC Kit?

Another cornerstone of any EDC kit is a knife. Read our guide to choosing the best knife for your EDC kit.

If you are looking for even more information on how to build your ultimate EDC kit you can check out my book, The Every Day Carry Guide. It is a comprehensive manual that will teach you:

How to be prepared at all times – no matter where you are
How to build your first EDC kit from scratch
How to refine an existing kit to make it more effective
How to pick the best gear to realistically make you more prepared
How to assess threats and risks in your everyday life

Your thoughts?

Do you have a favorite EDC flashlight that you recommend? Are there any particular features that you look for when finding the best EDC light for your needs? Please let us know in the Comments Section below!

Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review

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We recently took a look at the Emerson Mini CQC-15 as a part of our guide on How To Choose The Best EDC Knife. We were so impressed by it that we ended up recommending it as the Best Overall EDC Knife.

Here we will take a closer look at its features and qualities with our in-depth Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review.

First Impressions

Right out of the box we could tell that the Emerson Mini CQC-15 is a high quality knife. It feels solid in the hand and the 154CM stainless steel blade comes from the knifemaker very sharp. The overall build quality is outstanding.

One thing that catches the eye right away is the patented “Emerson Wave” feature. This is a cleverly designed lever on the back of the blade that catches your pants pocket as you draw the knife out to automatically open the blade. If you have seen a video of this working (below) you may think this is a spring-assisted open knife. In fact, it is not. It is a normal, manual open folder but the Emerson Wave feature makes the blade pop open in a flash as the knife is drawn out of the pocket. It is a very cool, useful feature that separates the Emerson Mini CQC-15 from its competitors in the tactical folder field.

Blade

The blade on the Emerson Mini CQC-15 is made of premium quality 154CM stainless steel that provides a great balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening. The model we tested had a partial serration with a tanto tip and a recurve to the belly of the blade. The back of the blade is a consistent thickness from base to tip and has robust jimping on the back of the Emerson Wave feature that provides for a confident grip. In a brilliant nod to every day use the blade is beveled on only one side to make field sharpening a breeze. You could grind the Emerson Mini CQC-15 against a flat rock and have it back to usable sharpness in no time without worrying about keeping the perfect angle to your grind.

Grip

The model of Emerson Mini CQC-15 we tested had a nicely textured G10 handle with titanium liners to save weight. The grip is well designed with a curved choil exactly where your fingers would grip the handle. We were able to maintain a confident grip both barehanded and with a pair of work gloves on. The jimping on the back of the Mini CQC-15 and Emerson Wave feature add to this sense of security providing highly effective control under even adverse conditions.

Open Mechanism

As mentioned above the instantaneous opening out of the pocket really pushes the Emerson Mini CQC-15 ahead of its competitors. After using it for the first time we were left asking why EVERY knife doesn’t have this feature. The Emerson Mini CQC-15 also sports a left and right hand thumb stud perpendicular to the blade for ambidextrous opening. Using the thumb stud with a quick flick of the wrist engaged the blade with a satisfying click.

Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review — The Emerson Mini CQC-15 is a great addition to any kit

Clip Attachment

The Emerson Mini CQC-15 has a firm pocket clip for securing the blade to a pants pocket, belt, or webbing. It is worth noting that the knife must be oriented in a specific way in order for the Emerson Wave feature to be able to engage the pants pocket. Because of this the pocket clip is not able to be switched to carry on the left hand side or in blade point-down orientation. Modification is available from the manufacturer for you lefties out there to enable the Emerson Wave to be engaged in a left-pocket deployment. The Emerson Mini CQC-15 also features a large lanyard hole at the base of the grip for securing it to your gear or person. This is highly useful if you are planning on using this knife at heights or as a secondary blade attached to a pack with some paracord.

Lock

The Emerson Mini CQC-15 utilizes a titanium linerlock that automatically engages upon opening the knife. This provides a very tight lock with no wiggle to the blade when deployed. There has been some talk among users of the Emerson Mini CQC-15 that the titanium linerlock against the steel blade can actually be too tight making it harder than other knives to close. This is a bonus of you want a reliable locking mechanism that is not going to close on your hand but can be a challenge if you want to be able to quickly close the blade. It can be remedied by breaking in the knife through use over time and accelerated by rubbing graphite on the face of the linerlock that mates with the blade.

Emerson Mini CQC-15: The Verdict

The Emerson Mini CQC-15 is an awesome tactical folder that is well built and feels great in the hand. The blade is made of high quality steel that will hold its edge well. The Emerson Wave opening feature is both innovative and practical and provides for a reliable, instantaneous opening for when rapid deployment matters. The only downsides we could find were the easily overcome tightness of the lock and cost. However if quality and practicality are paramount to you, look no further than the Emerson Mini CQC-15. It is a great addition to any EDC list, bug out bag, or camping kit.

Your Thoughts On Our Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review?

Have you ever used an Emerson Mini CQC-15? Is there anything that you think we should mention in our Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review? Please let us know what you think in the Comments Section below, thanks!

The Best EDC Knife – How To Pick The Best Knife for Your EDC Kit

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Most people agree that an EDC kit isn’t complete without a knife. There are tons of knives out there which can make the experience of finding the right one for you an overwhelming experience but this guide aims to help you find perfect knife for your EDC kit.

A knife is one of those tools that serves many purposes. It can be used to open things, slice food or cordage, for self-defense, to carve wood, to skin game and filet fish, and to accomplish a multitude of other tasks.

Having a good EDC knife will make many every day tasks easier and will give you an advantage in nearly any survival situation.

Our Picks for Best EDC Knife

Best Overall EDC Knife: Kershaw Tanto Serrated Blur Knife

The Kershaw Tanto Serrated Blur Knife is our favorite choice for an all-purpose EDC knife. This Made in USA knife is built to last and is super sharp right out of the box.

It is extremely well-made and designed with military service, police force, and firefighters in mind. The handle is durable and lightweight, with a great texture to allow for a firm grip. SpeedSafe assisted opening system for smooth, one-handed opening

It’s partially serrated blade gives you added flexibility making it a versatile item in your EDC arsenal.

This is a fantastic knife that will serve its owner for many years to come.

Best Compact EDC Knife: Boker Plus Subcom Pocket Knife

The Boker Plus Subcom Pocket Knife is a little gem that is perfect for people that want their EDC items to be as small and low profile as possible.

It can easily clip onto a belt or even be used as a money clip. This knife is a great choice when concealability and having an unobtrusive EDC arsenal are your priorities.

Boker Knives come with a lifetime warranty.

Best Plus-Sized EDC Knife: Spyderco Endura 4

Even though the Spyderco Endura 4 is at the larger end of the spectrum for EDC knives, it is still quite compact and surprisingly lightweight.

As you’ll see from the customer reviews, this knife has a very loyal EDC user base.

This knife is an excellent choice for EDC if size isn’t your main driving factor.

How To Choose The Best EDC Knife for You

As with looking at a knife for any task there are a few basic qualities you should look at when making your choice.

Fixed vs Folding

This is likely the first decision to make when choosing your EDC knife. Most people opt for a folding knife as they tend to be smaller and can easily fit in a pocket or clip onto a belt.

Any fixed blade knife will need a sheath to cover the blade and would need to be worn on a belt or on a cord as a “neck knife.”

As with many elements of finding a good EDC knife it comes down to preference and what environment you typically find yourself in. If you are in an urban environment a folding EDC knife will be a better option as it will be unobtrusive and lighter to carry. Being discreet is often important in urban areas making a small folding knife a common choice for city dwellers.

If you tend to live in a rural location a fixed blade knife is easier to justify as you may find yourself skinning game and cutting rope more often. Additionally, outside of big cities wearing a fixed blade knife has less of a cultural taboo. Regardless of this many rural EDCers tend to choose a folding knife for their EDC kit due to size and weight advantages of this option.

Size and Weight

A good EDC knife will be able to fit in a pocket and will integrate strong, lightweight materials such as G10 or Micarta. It is important to recognize the “Every Day” aspect of an EDC knife when considering size and weight. No one wants to be carrying around an anchor in their pocket all the time. Choose an EDC pocket knife that is under 5 ounces (~150 grams) and less than 5 inches (~13 cm) in length for an easy, comfortable carry.

Edge Type

There are many types of blade styles available for folding EDC knives designed to fit a multitude of needs. The most 3 commonly available are:

Full Ground Edge – This is a blade that has a straight or curved edge. Full ground edge blades are generally better for pushing cuts (shaving, skinning an apple or animal), scraping, precision work, poking, skewering, and stabbing.
Full Serration – Serrated blades are generally better at slicing cuts through tough materials such as plastic, wood, rope, leather, or drywall. Serrated knives are generally poor at stabbing in a self-defense context as the serrations tend to get stuck on clothing or bones.
Partial Serration – This is a blade that is serrated on the part nearest the handle and a straight ground edge nearest the tip. This type of blade seeks to deliver the advantages of both of the types of blades mentioned above in a single piece for the user making them a popular choice for EDC.

Best EDC Folding Knife — Full Ground Edge Vs Partial Serration

Opening Mechanism

Knife makers have innovated in many ways to create opening mechanisms to suit any need. There is a lot of variety out there from assisted open knives to thumb studs and cutouts, to flipping nubs and many, many more. Regardless of what type of opening mechanism you choose for your EDC knife it should have the following qualities:

Reliable – You want your knife to open on the first try when you need it. If you have to cut through a rope to save a life, or fight off a dangerous animal, you can’t call a “time out” to open up your knife. Make sure you can open it instantly EVERY TIME.
One-handed – You never know what circumstance you may need to open your knife in or if you will be holding on to something essential in the other. Make sure you EDC knife opening mechanism can be operated one handed.
Left or Right Hand Opening – Make sure your knife opening mechanism can be utilized with either hand. Some cheap knives come with a thumb stud only on one side. Great if you have the option to open your EDC knife with you right hand. Not so great if you are holding on to something essential with that hand or if it is injured. Hedge your bets and go with an ambidextrous opening mechanism.
Assisted vs Manual Opening – Deciding whether your best EDC knife should have an assisted or manual open will come down to personal choice. It is a nice feature but is illegal in many jurisdictions. To meet the needs of knife owners, knife makers have responded with ever-improving manual opening methods that are lightning fast.

Locking Mechanism

No matter what you choose as the best EDC folding knife for your situation, they all have one thing in common: a rock-solid locking mechanism. Having an excellent lock on your folding knife will make it nearly on par with a fixed blade knife for reliability. Some of the better folding knives out there even have a secondary locking mechanism, making it virtually impossible for the blade to close on your hand while in use. The 3 most common locking mechanisms for EDC folding knives are:

Liner Lock
Lock Back
Lever Lock

Regardless of which of these options you choose to go with make sure it is reliable for your knife. Many cheap manufacturers will skimp on this feature, endangering their users and making an unreliable tool. A quality knife will have a quality locking mechanism, look for and EDC blade with a secondary option for extra safety.

Grip Style and Material

The grip for your EDC folding knife can be broken into two categories, style and materials. The style is how the knife is designed which will ideally allow it to fit well in your hand and allow for a secure grip in adverse conditions (wet, cold, etc). The materials are what the grip is made of. There are a variety of materials that are commonly used to make the grip of a folding knife, choosing one that suits your purposes is an important step in deciding what the best EDC knife is for you.

EDC Knife Grip Style

A well designed knife will fit easily in your hand. It should have a concavity for your hand to hold on to, a good sized choil to hold your fingers in place and well thought out jimping on the backside to provide grip for your thumb when in use.

EDC Knife Grip Material

There are a vide variety of materials used to make knife grips, here are some of the most common:

G10 – An epoxy and fiberglass resin that is extremely strong and relatively lightweight
Micarta – A combination of cloth (generally linen or canvas) and resin. Also very strong and lightweight
Titanium – Extremely strong and lightweight material, nearly impervious to rust.
Carbon Fiber – Very light weight material but also very brittle. Generally more showy and expensive than the other options.
Zytel – A lightweight and nearly indestructible plastic.

Cost

Knives are one of the many items where you get what you pay for. While there are many good EDC knives out there that can be picked up for less than $50, the BEST EDC knives will generally cost more than this. For something you are going to be carrying with you EVERY DAY, it is worth paying a bit more to choose a high quality EDC knife that will last the test of time.

Additionally, a quality pocket knife is less likely to bind at the hinge or pivot point or have a lock mechanism failure, letting you down when you need it most.

A good knife will take care of its owner, require less maintenance, and if taken care of becomes a hand-me-down for future generations, hopefully with a few good stories to go along with it.

Look at your EDC knife as an investment.

Choosing the Best EDC Knife For YOU

As you can see choosing the best EDC knife to meet your needs is a highly personal choice.

The reward is that once you have looked at the points that we discussed, size, weight, opening mechanism, lock type, grip material and style, and cost you will be able to make a rational decision on the absolute BEST EDC Knife to add to your kit.

The EDC knives that we listed above are the ones that generally work well in EDC kits. Here they are again:

Best Overall EDC Knife: Kershaw Tanto Serrated Blur Knife
Best Compact EDC Knife: Boker Plus Subcom Pocket Knife
Best Plus-Sized EDC Knife: Spyderco Endura 4

Want Even MORE Info On Building Your EDC Kit?

For more EDC related guides, please check out the following articles: How To Make Your EDC List, How To Choose The Best EDC Bag, and Picking The Best EDC Flashlight.

If you are looking for even more information on how to build your ultimate EDC kit you can check out my book, The Every Day Carry Guide. It is a comprehensive manual that will teach you:

How to be prepared at all times – no matter where you are
How to build your first EDC kit from scratch
How to refine an existing kit to make it more effective
How to pick the best gear to realistically make you more prepared
How to assess threats and risks in your every day life

Your Thoughts?

Do you have an EDC knife that you love? Do you look at any additional qualities when finding the best EDC knife to meet your EDC needs? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Bug Out First Aid Kit Ideas and Checklist

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A bug out first aid kit is one of the most important essential items to consider for your BOB or evacuation kit.

Having a well-stocked first aid kit will help you overcome injuries to keep you moving to safety when time is critical. As it is prohibitive to carry an entire hospital’s worth of emergency medical supplies it’s important to assess what injuries are most likely to occur and how you can effectively treat them while executing your bug out plan.

We suggest focusing on two areas when building your bug out first aid kit: Trauma and Mobility.

Assessing Your Bug Out First Aid Needs

As we discussed in our Every Day Carry Guide it is important to properly assess the threats you will likely be facing when considering developing a bug out plan or assessing what gear to include in your preparations. When it comes to First Aid, we will look at medium to high probability threats that have medium to high impact to address what we need in our bug out first aid kit.

Trauma Injuries

While it is highly likely that you may scrape your knee or cut your hands while in a bug out situation these minor injuries probably will not affect your ability to effectively move to safety. They are high likelihood/low impact problems. When planning a bug out first aid kit we will want to address medical emergencies that are of higher impact such as trauma injuries. These will be lower probability but far higher consequence than a knee scrape or simple cut and may be debilitating or life-threatening.

Traumatic injuries can include:

Burns
Vehicle collisions
Broken bones
Arterial bleeding
Falls from heights
Gunshot wounds
Knife Wounds
Blunt impact injuries

Treating trauma injuries should be a focal point of your bug out first aid kit. This will allow you to address the worst of problems and keep you alive and moving when time is critical.

Mobility Injuries

A mobility injury is anything that prevents you from moving efficiently or at your intended pace. They have a wide range in terms of severity. In the risk assessment scale are generally medium probability and high impact. The manner in which one is affected by a mobility injury is that they will lose their ability to move to safety, which is a major problem in a bug out situation.

Mobility injuries include:

Blisters
Ankle sprains
Knee injuries
Torn ligaments
Frostbitten extremities
Broken bones

As you can see there is a wide range of mobility injuries. While some of them may not be life threatening by themselves they can lead an injured person to be unable to evacuate a dangerous area which can lead to further injury or death. Being able to effectively treat mobility injuries with your bug out first aid kit will help you deal with this type of injury and keep you moving when it counts.

Your First Aid Kit: Buy or Build?

When adding a first aid kit to your bug out bag you are faced with two paths of how to get this done. You can either buy a premade first aid kit from a sporting goods store or online or you can purchase the items you want individually for a custom kit. Both choices have their various advantages and disadvantages and ultimately you have to decide what is best for you.

Premade First Aid Kits

Premade kits are the easier choice as they will come prepacked in a neat bag that can simply be added to your BOB. The items are picked for you and this is a plug and play option. However, as with premade bug out bags, premade first aid kits are generally costlier than DIY kits and the quality of medical supplies within them can range greatly.

If you choose to go this route be sure to get a quality kit as you generally get what you pay for and First Aid is not an area to skimp on.

A popular option is to buy a premade First Aid kit and then add a few extra items that don’t usually come with premade First Aid kits, such as a tourniquet or moleskins, which allows you take advantage of someone else doing the grunt work of finding basic items while tailoring the bag to suit your own needs and requirements.

There are good quality premade bug out first aid kits out there and we will recommend a few here for your reference:

Building your own Custom First Aid Kit

Although building your own bug out first aid kit can be time consuming, there are a few advantages to this approach:

Get exactly the items you want – don’t pay for useless things that don’t solve the problems you anticipate
You control the quality of items – no cheap medical supplies that will let you down when you need them
Cost is generally lower – shop around for the best price for the survival first aid items that you need
Get the bag that you want – select a container for your medical supplies based on your own criteria for size, features, and quality

There are a seemingly endless number of first aid items to choose from out there. Let’s take a look at some of the most important items to have in a first aid kit designed for disaster management.

Trauma First Aid Items

Blood clotting agent

This is a substance designed to encourage clotting within a wound to stop bleeding. They were designed by the military to treat shrapnel and gunshot wounds and have recently been made available for civilian purchase. A blood clotting agent, such as WoundSeal Powder, can be effective for stopping life-threatening blood loss that may occur in a bug out situation.

Burn salve

Burns can come from many threats in a bug out situation. A burn salve, such as J.R. Watkins Medicated First Aid Salve, provides relief from heat-related injuries, discourages infection, and promotes healing. Burn salves are generally small and lightweight, fitting easily in a bug out first aid kit.

Tourniquet

A tourniquet, such as the SWAT-T Tourniquet, is a last line of defense against blood loss. Using one after other first aid methods (pressure, elevation, clotting agents, etc) have been applied will usually stop bleeding but it can do so to a degree that the limb is sacrificed. Additionally, they can only be used on arms and legs and are useless for abdominal or head wounds. The blood clotting agents are a better choice but it can mean the difference between life and death in the right situation to have a tourniquet in your bug out first aid kit.

Heavy Gauze

This is used to apply pressure to wounds, absorb blood, and prevent infection. It is a basic first aid item that belongs in any trauma first aid kit. Plan on packing multiple rolls in a well-stocked bug out first aid kit. Check out Gerber’s Heavyweight Gauze Prefolds.

Skin Closure Kit

Some people recommend a suture kit to close large wounds/cuts but if you don’t have any medical training you will likely cause more harm than good. Instead, pack some 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures for an effective and safe way to close wounds.

Chest Seal

This is designed to create an airtight seal on chest wounds to prevent lung collapse. It is typically used to treat penetrating chest wounds caused by gunshots, stabbing, or shrapnel. They are sold in pairs to cover the possibility of needing to seal both an entry and exit wound in the torso. The HALO Chest Seal is a highly-praised option.

Trauma Pad

A trauma pad is a large, sterile dressing used to treat large sized wounds. They are frequently impregnated with clotting agents to minimize blood loss. This is ideal for treating trauma injuries in a pre-hospital situation.

Mobility First Aid Items

Moleskin

Taking care of your feet is one of the most important maintenance tasks involved in a bug out situation. If you have to suddenly hike for miles on end to reach your bug out destination, you are likely to develop blisters on the way. Moleskin is designed to provide cushioning around these sore spots to prevent chafing and allow you to keep moving to safety. The good choice for a First Aid kit is Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Roll.

Triangle Bandages

The Swiss Army knife of first aid kits. Triangle bandages, such as Dynarex Triangle Bandages, can be used for many medical purposes including packing wounds, keep ice packs in place, applying pressure to lacerations, make a sling for an injured limb, and tying on splints.

Splint

Although a splint can be fashioned out of scavenged materials it is good practice to have a good one, like the SAM Splint, in your bug out first aid kit in the event that you do not have time to go looking for splinting materials.

Ace Bandage

These are good for wrapping rolled ankles or twisted knees to provide the support you need to keep moving to safety. They can also be used for wound dressing and bandage application in a pinch. Consider Ace Elastic Bandage with Clips for an easy-to-use ace bandage.

General First Aid Items

Anti-diarrheal medicine
Medical tape
Pain relievers
EMT shears
Ammonia inhalants
Butterfly strips
Nitrile gloves
Tweezers
Antiseptic wipes
Superglue – to close small wounds
Antibiotics (Fish antibiotics can be used if a prescription is unavailable)
EpiPen

Choosing a Bag for Your First Aid Kit

When picking a bag for your bug out first aid kit you will want one that meets your individual needs and has the features you require to be compact, functional, and accessible.

Another important factor to consider is size. Depending on if this is an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) or if you are responsible for your whole family, the amount of supplies you need will vary, therefore you need to choose an appropriately sized bag.

The Maxpedition FR-1 Pouch is a compact bag that can carry a deceptively large amount of supplies. You can’t go wrong with this bag.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see there are many options for planning an effective bug out first aid kit. With some simple organization you can either build your own from the ground up, buy a premade medical kit, or combine the two approaches to maximize effort expended and customization options for this essential survival item. Once you have a bug out first aid kit be sure to review it as a part of your periodic BOB Reviews to make sure the items within are still usable.

Do you have an item that you would add to your bug out first aid kit? Do you have first aid skills or advice that you would like to share? Let us know in the Comments section below.

Wartech Knife Review 8″ Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket

3 Comments

After mentioning the The Wartech 8″ Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife in our article about the best survival pocket knives we have gotten several requests for an in depth Wartech knife review. We have put this Wartech knife through the paces and come out with some interesting feedback on it as a practical survival tool.

Wartech Knife Review

The Wartech 8″ Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife has an aggressive styling with futuristic metal handle and two tone blade. This tactical folder includes several accessories which you’d expect to clutter the overall appearance, but are nicely low profile including a glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, belt clip, and LED light. The knife feels nice in the hand and seems to have a better build quality that you would expect for a knife at this price point. The features that jump out are the smooth assisted opening mechanism and aforementioned LED light, both add a lot overall and are discussed below in detail.

Our Video Review:

Wartech Knife Blade

The Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical’s blade is about 3.75 inches long, with a clip point and partial serration. Out of the box, this knife has a nice sharp factory edge that cuts effectively thought cordage, nylon and wood, as you would expect from a Wartech knife. It has a 1065 “Surgical” blade made from plain carbon steel (.65% carbon). This type of steel has less corrosion resistance and edge retention than stainless steel would but is however very easy to sharpen. Overall the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical’s blade is sharp out of the box and will perform well in most cases. If this particular Wartech knife is used as an everyday work knife it will require maintenance such as sharpening and corrosion protection due to the type of steel employed in its design.

Wartech Knife Opening and Closing Mechanism

Put simply, opening the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical is sweet. The assisted opening mechanism causes the blade to fly open at light pressure on the opening lever for very easy ambidextrous, one handed opening. This feature is a real highlight of the Wartech 8″ Tactical’s design and it is worth its low price just for this functionality. When locked open, the Wartech knife feels solid and stable with very little wiggle between the blade and handle. The mechanical down side an assisted opening mechanism and stable blade lock is that closing the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical is tight and takes two hands. This may be preferred by some users as a two handed close makes it near impossible to accidentally close the knife while in use.

Wartech knife reviews — The integrated seatbelt cutter is an effective line cutter

Wartech Knife Accessories

The Wartech 8″ Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife comes equipped with several nice accessories that make it a highly versatile emergency tool. Most of these features are not found on other knives at this price point, which is a great aspect of this folder.

LED light

The Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical has a side-mounted, articulating LED light. The light is small and low profile, but bright enough to illuminate your immediate area in a pinch. The LED can also be folded flat against the handle so the beam is pointing straight down the blade. This is incredibly useful when cutting in the dark as it aligns the light with whatever you happen to be slicing or piercing. This is a really nice feature that adds versatility to the Wartech knife.

Seat Belt Cutter

The base of the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical’s handle includes an inset seatbelt cutter. I tested it on a thick nylon strap and it was ineffective. It’s possible that it would work better on an actual seat belt, but if I were trapped by my seatbelt with the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical in my hand, I would pop open the blade and use that, which was very effective on the nylon strap in tests. As a side note, the the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical’s seatbelt cutter will slice through paracord easily, making it useful as a line cutter.

Window Breaker

The Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical Knife has a pointed, metal glass breaking implement on the base of the handle. I would trust this to be able to concentrate force into a small enough area to shatter a car window. This makes the Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical a viable vehicle egress tool.

Belt Clip

The Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical Knife includes a robust belt clip, which may seem like a trivial addition, but adds a lot of versatility and carry options. The Wartech 8″ Folding Tactical’s clip is firmly attached and suitable for attaching the tool to pocket, belt or web gear.

Wartech Knife Review Conclusion

The Wartech 8″ Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife is a great tool to keep in your car, your bug out bag or anywhere you need a versatile, secondary knife. It is worth noting that the type of steel used in this particular Wartech knife offers a trade off of ease of sharpening for lower corrosion resistance. Its many features packed into a compact, ergonomic folder make it best suited as a back up, but for the low price you can buy several and stash them in your workplace, home, garage, vehicle, and bug out bag.

Recommendation: Buy one or more.

View or purchase the item on Amazon: Wartech 8″ Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife

Click HERE to see out list of Top 10 Survival Pocket Knives.