minimum for daily living

[2HOW]

From John Farnam:

7 Dec 09

MDL, "Minimum for Daily Living"

from an Instructor:

"We all have different jobs, different social settings, wear different attire, live in different climates, and, in the case of our female colleagues, possess a unique superstructure.  So, when we discuss what a person 'should carry,' we have to be flexible, as it all has to be concealed.

In any event, here is my MDL (Minimum for Daily Living) list:

Primary pistol, and at least one reload (spare magazine or  speed-loader)
Back-up pistol
Tactical flashlight
Blade
OC spray
Cell phone
IBD
Small light

When I mention this List to people who don't carry on a regular basis, I am usually greeted with a good deal of eye-rolling, particularly from women

Then, I suggest an 'Airplane List.'  Delete everything you are not able to carry on commercial flights, and what is left?

I strongly suggest all of us carry those items, all the time, a flashlight being first on that List, then IBD, cell phone, and small light.  TSA has no issue with any of the foregoing, and they are all literally lifesavers!"

Comment: It comes down to personal readiness/preparedness.  How prepared you reasonably need to be, as noted above, is a relative question, varying with person and circumstance, and with world history, which may critically change that question for all of us- tomorrow morning!

Part of "being prepared" is looking into the future and anticipating what items, though not required now, may be acutely necessary when our personal situation changes radically.

/John

(“IBD” is “Israeli Battle Dressing.” I am fortunate to live in an area where a “tactical” vest is viewed as a fishing vest, not a “shoot me first” vest. In some areas fanny packs do not attract undue attention, in others they seem to scream “gun!” Other belt-mounted pouches may look more “normal.”  Regardless, some of these garments or accoutrements may facilitate carrying the stuff you may want to have in the various emergencies that may intrude in your life, whether a criminal attack or the effects of inclement weather.)

[Rob Pincus]

John is a wise man.... he also lives his life in a pretty controlled, safe way and chooses to frequent places, as he describes, where he can get away with all that stuff pretty conveniently.

As always, gear and preparation is about compromise. His "MDL" is more than what I carried when I was in uniformed patrol (in that I usually only had one light and did not carry a battle dressing)..... of course, I had a vest and a radio, both of which increased survivability dramatically.

You've got to make choices that make sense for you. Good on John for reminding us all to be thinking about it!

-RJP

[JdePietro]

I respect the author's perspective and can agree that in an ideal setting those items should be at hand. I think were people start the eye rolling is when they imagine walking down the street with a tac vest on and a ruck sack to carry enough for their partner. With a little tweaking you can have that and more depending on your situation.

On a typical day I carry 1 firearm, 1 spare mag, two knives, and one light on me. However due in part to planning and some thought I have in my vehicle a spare light, bungee cords, rope, a first aid kit assembled by me with things that I feel are a must have and somethings that fall into the "all I could scrounge up" catagory. By design my vehicle is never very far from where I am. When seconds count can I have those items at my disposal? No, but I will have access to those items sooner than later and I feel that puts me in a better situation than someone who just refuses to be flexable with the above stated advice.   

[Jackel]

where do you carry all that junk.

end up walking around tooled up to the teeth like a mall ninja.

[twyacht]

Old phrase I remember is:

"Keep It Simple Stupid"

1 concealed firearm.
1 spare mag when applicable,
1 good knife
1 cellphone
and most important:

1 BIG Situational dose of Awareness.

Keep the rocket launcher in the truck or at home... You know,... zombies and such....

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

Old phrase I remember is:

"Keep It Simple Stupid"

1 concealed firearm.
1 spare mag when applicable,
1 good knife
1 cellphone
and most important:

1 BIG Situational dose of Awareness.

Keep the rocket launcher in the truck or at home... You know,... zombies and such....

+1

I am one of the eye rollers here. If I need all of that crap, I'm not going into that neighborhood. My daily load out is one G26 (no spare mag, cause if I can't get it done in 11, I'm probably dead). One, 2 1/2 " Gerber knife (tactical against hang nails and fishing knots), an LEd key chain light, a cell phone, and situational awareness. Dude, I live in Florida, not Iraq. Wear the gun, don't let the gun wear you. If you live in a more hazardous environment, adjust. But if I need 2 guns, 2 knives, a tactical vest, etc., survey says, MOVE!
FQ13

[Solus]

+1

 one G26 (no spare mag, cause if I can't get it done in 11, I'm probably dead)
FQ13

FQ, carry the spare mag.  You will be moving and suppressive fire is not a luxury.  Neither are the misses you will have if the bad guys are moving.  Bad guys might mean 5 or so and at a double tap each, you only have 1 to spare. 

No one ever lost a gun fight because they had to much ammo.

[JC5123]

FQ, carry the spare mag.  You will be moving and suppressive fire is not a luxury.  Neither are the misses you will have if the bad guys are moving.  Bad guys might mean 5 or so and at a double tap each, you only have 1 to spare. 

No one ever lost a gun fight because they had to much ammo.

I have to agree here. At a minimum, 1 extra mag is not going to weigh you down that much, and really, how much space does it really take.

Personally I carry my Sig 229, 1 extra mag. (2 in the glove box with my flashlight) My pocket knife and my cell phone. With the extra mag and one in the chamber that gives me 25 rounds of insurance. I agree with the sentiment that I should be able to do it with one shot, but get real. I know how much adrenaline gets pumping when I get a large Elk/Deer in my sights. It's hard enough to do it then. I know that the "buck fever" would be 1000 times worse under fire. So I want to make sure that I don't hamstring myself by not having enough ammo should I actually need it.

[fightingquaker13]

I have to agree here. At a minimum, 1 extra mag is not going to weigh you down that much, and really, how much space does it really take.

Personally I carry my Sig 229, 1 extra mag. (2 in the glove box with my flashlight) My pocket knife and my cell phone. With the extra mag and one in the chamber that gives me 25 rounds of insurance. I agree with the sentiment that I should be able to do it with one shot, but get real. I know how much adrenaline gets pumping when I get a large Elk/Deer in my sights. It's hard enough to do it then. I know that the "buck fever" would be 1000 times worse under fire. So I want to make sure that I don't hamstring myself by not having enough ammo should I actually need it.

This is a topic I thnik about. I am torn between not having too much stuff, and being secure. Remember, if you carry a j-frame and speedloader, you've only got 12, and that's after a reload. I  might look into an IWB mag holder, or stick an extra in my pocket if going somewhere risky (late night Wally World/mall trips etc.). For now, I think one will do me, but I am starting to look at the mag holders.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

FQ, what happens if you have a malfunction ? Most malfunctions are magazine related.
I carry 2 spare mags with my 1911, one in my pocket, one in a folding knife sheath on my belt on the left side.