Episode 3: Observations with Sarah Carlson
Sarah Carlson has been there and she's done that. And each time she's made sure that she's had her everyday carry essentials with her.
Carlson, who was the third guest presenter on SOG's "Observations With” seminar series, is a former CIA officer, and is now is an emergency preparation manager in the Seattle area. She led an hour-long discussion on what we should all consider in our everyday carry kits, whether we work in an urban office building or are deep in enemy territory at the request of the government. Being prepared is half the game, Carlson said, the other half is having the right tools to deal with the right situation.
What a person carries with them, of course, can depend on the day, the location and the expected end result. But in the end, said Carlson, it boils down to a few key essentials.
"Think about your everyday carry being not only what you put in a bag, but what you have on you and in you as well," she said. "It's about thinking through what you might need to get safely out of any situation." You can watch Sarah's full presentation here.
THE ESSENTIALS
Carlson outlined the categories of items she tries to carry with her, realizing of course that a trip to the grocery store usually doesn't require you to be as prepared as staying a month in a foreign country. Sometimes your EDC can be just what you carry on your person, sometimes it can be an extensive bag of gear stored in your car.
In general, Carlson laid out and discussed these categories of EDC gear:
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Navigation
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Sun protection
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Insulation
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Illumination
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First aid
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Fire
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Tools
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Nutrition
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Hydration
She spent a good amount time talking specifically about tools, which can include items like masks and hand sanitizer, but also can include knives, firearms and, yes, a rubber doorstop (you need to see the video for a complete explanation of that).
Ultimately, Carlson said, your EDC list should be formulated from your surroundings.
"Check out what you can prepare for," she said, "and adapt what you carry."
OTHER OBSERVATIONS WITH
View the first installment of "Observations With” featuring journalist and adventurer Jason H. Harper.
View the second installment of "Observations With" featuring Style Me Tactical blogger Emily Valentine.
And stay tuned. We're planning on more of these interactive webinars in the future.
