EDC/GHB bare minimum to be carried on person.

[Le Mouse]

*unlurks* Howdy. Hope all are well.

At work today we had a fire drill. The alarm went off when I was not only away from my desk, but on a whole other floor so I had no chance of grabbing my coat let alone my bag which is my EDC/GHB. So there I was stood shivering at the assembly point having arrived before the rest of the building (from the 6th floor! ) in office clothes with only my ID badge to my name. Got me thinking: what if this was a real fire and we couldn't get back in the building?

I'm away from my desk quite a lot as part of my job, so what should I have physically on my person in case I need to get home? Being a girl, I find smart trousers don't go a whole bundle on pockets so I feel a tad stuck with where I'd fit it!

As to kit, I'd want to keep:

Phone
Housekeys
Oystercard
Purse
Asthma inhaler

... as a really bare minimum. My EDC has everything but the kitchen sink in it, so it's really hard to narrow it down!

What would you / do you carry on you at all times? Where do you put it all?!

*browses interweb for cargo trousers*

[Furrytired]

Perhaps you should get into the habit of having a small, discreet cross body handbag with you at all times? There is a well known "fashion" range made from pre-shrunk nylon, making them very light and they have several pockets and key fobs built into them. Have a look on the bay of evil!

[maxilaura]

instead of having an id badge hung around your neck, maybe think of using one of those little purse things you get for the oyster card, that way you can have both your id badge as well as your oyster card on you at all times, as well as maybe a £10 note stuck in it as well so you have some cash on you as well.

[bulldogeagle]

the only way you can get over this problem, is to NOT have an EDC bag but an EDC jacket, one of the ones that has lots of pockets, that way your gear is with you at all times, any other way and you WILL get seperated from any bag you use at some point.

[preppingsu]

What about a bumbag (or fanny pack as they are called in the US)?
I'm sure you must be able to get a selection of colours to blend in with work clothes, doesn't get in the way like an across body bag when leaning over desks etc.
Should be able to pack a fair few items in one of them.

[Le Mouse]

Thanks for all your suggestions! Lots to think about.

I found myself looking at how the men at work dress yesterday. Most wear some version of formal office clothing and quite a few don't really carry bags unless they have to trog a laptop in. I noticed shirts with pockets in the front - I wear shirt-like blouses already so I could look out for versions with pockets! Perfect for a phone or a small purse. I'm going to see if there's some men's trousers out there that won't look too daft on a woman - they'll have decent sized pockets. Also I'm considering altering clothes I have already. I might be able to fit a small pocket on the inside of my work cardi.

In an ideal world, I'd have a jacket with pockets like my old school blazer. But I want to maintain some grey woman-ness and I'm already known at work as a 'bit weird' so I don't want to push that further by drastically changing the way I dress. Also it can get painfully hot in some areas of the building (air-con is rubbish) so a jacket would make me uncomfortable.

That's my weekend project sorted!

[Squirrel hunter]

I have a belt with a built in pocket on the inside, about 200mm long with a zip, I carry £20 in notes and coins in there.

pocket belt

There are several dozen types of slimline pouches available to put a phone in and some have enough room for cards and a couple of spare keys

phone pouch

Other assorted belt friendly pouches

assorted belt pouches

[Le Mouse]

I have a belt with a built in pocket on the inside, about 200mm long with a zip, I carry £20 in notes and coins in there.

pocket belt

I *like* that belt! Thanks Squirrel hunter!

[Mr_Sea-Breeze]

Get a pouch/case for your mobile that you can clip to your waistband (that way its always with you).

Inside the back of the pouch/case there should be some room for a card and a tenner or so.

If your phone has a fixing for a "dangly" then you can attach a spare door key to it.

Cheers

MSB

[Pepper7]

Just a suggestion, maybe you could leave your EDC/GHB with the reception or security desk and pick it up on the way out, this could minimize the chance of not having it during a emergency.