I'm Danielle, a newbie to prepping, and I'm
submitting another cubicle friendly EDC bag. I'm a process engineer:
most days I'm chained to my desk so my bag is generally within two feet
of me, and the contents are mostly for convenience.
From top left, going left to right in each row:
Row 1:
Timbuk2 Swig
Work laptop
Row 2:
parking pass for work
Wallet
Makeup bag, with makeup (no fun surprises, sorry)
Laptop charger
Row 3:
Scissors (for coupons, it's a horrible/hoarder's hobby)
Keys for car and house, plus discount cards for grocery stores and library keychain card
Gray lump/tissue holder - crocheted this so I don't have to buy those stupid expensive individual packs from the grocery store
Gum
Tiny Guidesman multitool
Row 4:
AA battery flashlight
Lip balm/salve for super dry or cracked skin
Nail clippers
Bottom left section:
Plain Bic clicky pen
3" Guidesman folding knife
Keys for work desk
iPod nano
Charging cables for personal android phone, work iPhone, iPod - the
white cube on the iPhone cable is compatible with any USB cable
Earbuds
Center section:
Umbrella
White box - bandages, wound wipes, antiseptic ointment, some gauze pads for larger cuts, Q tips (unsurprisingly useful)
Feminine hygiene products
Socks (backups for when I need to change out for my work boots)
Right section - usually on person carry, items are relegated to bag when I'm not in the plant:
Glasses
16 GB flash drive
Tiny flashlight (runs on watch batteries/AAA guts)
VPN card for working away from the office
Sharpie
Personal phone
Work phone (used to take the picture)
I find that I use about 80% of the items regularly. The
remaining items aren't needed everyday (umbrella, lady stuff) or are
backups (extra knife, flashlight). That Guidesman knife is actually
pretty good for its price; it was on sale for $0.99 and I think it's a
decent knife for a newbie (like me), not wobbly or unstable and the lock
is secure without being too stubborn. Only complaint is that it opens a
little stiffly for me to do it one handed, but I have small hands.
There's a notable lack of survival items
because I use separate storage for that in my vehicle; if there's an
emergency event the only escape route is toward our parking lot, so if I
can't get to my car I'm probably dead or a hostage :)
From Alex:
I like the crocheted tissue holder. If you wove those out of paracord or knitted them into the shape of skulls, grenades, etc. they'd be a hit on Estsy.
r.e. water/food in the EDC bag - even just chucking a 16 oz water bottle and a couple granola bars and forgetting about 'em is better than nothing.
On "I
can't get to my car I'm probably dead or a hostage." the point would be trying to keep that from happening and facilitate your evac from the building. Not sure what kind of plant you work in, but I hear 'plant' think potential for industrial accidents, disgruntled employee going active shooters and the like. Lots that could keep you from getting to your vehicle and safety.
The "Oh well, if that happens I guess I'll just die," attitude is what we try to avoid. A few small tools or items could make a difference in those situations. An IFAK in case of traumatic injury, N95 mask/smoke hood in case of fire, protective gloves, etc.
Spare cash and some coinage is good idea. Two sets of batteries for your lights, too.
I'll pass it over to the tribe for any other advice!