Self-Defense EDC on Vacation or for Business Trips

A few weeks ago I had a business trip to NJ.  I went for a few meetings with various clients and prospects and took my family along with me so they could have a little mini-vacation while I worked.  Now, as many of you know, I’m pro 2nd Amendment and my Pennsylvania CCW license is not valid in NJ due to their state not supporting our right to bear arms and protect ourselves in their state.  I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of places telling me I’m not allowed to carry a firearm to protect myself, hence why I avoid those places and rarely go there.  I believe there should be reciprocity across all states for those who have passed their background check and are a CCW holder.  However, with all that being said, I decided to obey the law (which I don’t agree with) and not take a firearm on my trip.  So, what did I take?  That’s exactly what I’m about to lay out here.  If you find yourself in the same situation, here is my personal EDC on vacation or while on a business trip.

*Note: I am not promoting violence or acts of violence, this article is an informative and educational piece to make you think about your own personal protection and self-defense in terms of EDC on vacation or while on business trips.  Also, check the local laws of where you will be traveling to ensure what you carry or is in your possession is legal.

To save a lot of time from typing everything out, the one thing not shown is my medical bag I keep in my vehicle at all time.  It’s a full trauma kit that includes 10 tourniquets, gloves, trauma sheers, multiple chest seals, decompression needles, gauze, Quick-Clot, bandages, dressings, duct tape, markers, a knife, a resqme, and many other medical supplies.

Here is my EDC on vacation from the image above with some links I found if you were interested in purchasing the same items:

• Surefire Backup Flashlight

• Thyrm Switchback 1.0 Version 

• Benchmade Mini Griptilian Tanto

• Raven Concealment  Pocket Shield

• Schrade Tactical Pen

• RATS Tourniquet

• Schrade Collapsible Baton (model discontinued)

• Mace Jammer Home Security Door Brace

What Did I Carry On My Person for My EDC on Vacation?

I wanted to give myself the best opportunity regardless of the situation that would arise, yet I wanted to be as discrete as possible as to what I was carrying.  EDC on vacation or business trips needs to fit your attire and environment.  I didn’t want to have my knife hanging off my pocket or my flashlight showing from the other pocket.  It just screams for attention.  I want to be more of a gray man and blend in with the crowd.  What’s even better is with my set-up, I could carry my entire EDC in my shorts and go shirtless on the beach or boardwalk if I wanted.

Related Article: EDC Medical Kit — More Important EDC Item Than a Firearm?

In order to accomplish this I put my knife in my right pocket (strong-side) and on my left, I had my tactical pen and flashlight attached to my RCS Pocket Shield.  The Pocket Shield is actually really cool.  When you attach everything to the inside and slide it into your pocket, everything disappears and can’t be seen by someone just looking at your pocket or looking for some type of bulge in your pocket showing an outline of its contents.  In my back right pocket, I kept my tourniquet, which everyone should be carrying regardless if you have a firearm or not.  You’re extremely unlikely to ever need to pull out your firearm, but if you come across someone who is bleeding severely from an arm or leg (like a car accident), you can stop bleeding with the tourniquet and potentially save their life (assuming medical is on the way from someone calling 911).

Why Do I Carry Each of These Items?

My tourniquet I already covered — for medical reasons to stop massive bleeding.  The knife I obviously carry for everyday cutting tasks as well as to protect myself.  The less lethal options were the tactical pen which is obviously a working pen, yet works great in self-defense on soft areas of the body like the face, throat/neck, chest, and groin.  The flashlight, while it has everyday uses, doubles as a self-defense tool.  Not only can you blind a potential attacker, but you can strike the attacker in the face with the light.  The Thyrm Switchback on the flashlight allows me to have extreme retention of the flashlight.  All of these items are extremely easy to carry in your pockets and on your person for EDC on vacation or business trips.

Related Article: Ink and Impact — Exploring the Versatility of Tactical Pens

Here is a closer look at my EDC on vacation or business trip:

Regardless of Your EDC on Vacation or Business Trips, You Need To Pay Attention

I’m going to be totally honest, people have no idea what is about to hit them and that’s one of the reasons for my EDC on vacation setup.  I went for a walk the one night and almost every person or group that I walked past would put their head down and look at the ground versus pay attention to me — the person walking towards them.  What if I were an attacker?  What if I were holding a weapon?  They wouldn’t have any idea what happened until they woke up on the ground or hospital.

Related Article: Carrying OC Spray is the Perfect Self-Defense Tool

Wake up, people!  Stop looking down and start acting confident and be situationally aware.  Know what’s in your surroundings!  Stop walking at night on dark streets (or ANYTIME!) on your cell phone and have no clue what’s going on around you.  You make yourself an easy target. And be sure to lock everything up when traveling. When I carry additional knives in states where I can’t have a firearm or even states where I can, I store everything when not in use in a Vaultek LifePod. This little safe is perfect for travel and I highly recommend them.

Looking For More?

I wrote a piece a while back on 2 EDC items that everyone should own.  That piece would be a great follow-up read to this article regarding EDC on vacation to help you start thinking about things you can carry on a daily basis that can help you survive an attack or compromising situation.

Related Article: Surprising Ways Everyday Carry Hanks Improve Your Daily Routine

To take things a step further, I have a book published called “Fit For Survival” and it’s available in e-book and audiobook format.  It takes you through the necessary physical and mental preparations to help you survive in a world where people want to do us all harm.  Here’s some more information on the book as well.

Will You Help Protect Others?

Help me help others.  If you enjoyed this article regarding EDC on vacation or business trips, please share it on your social media so your friends and family can also benefit from the information.  I’m not writing this because I have nothing better to do, I’m writing this to help educate people and make them think more about their personal protection.  You are your own first line of defense.  Make sure you’re prepared.

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