Smartphone: The Most Important Tool in Your EDC Kit

EDC, or Every Day Carry, is a concept that has gained increasing popularity in recent years. It refers to the items you carry with you on a daily basis to help you deal with day to day and unexpected situations that may arise. These items could include anything from a pocket knife to a flashlight, but one item that stands out as the most important in any EDC kit is the smart phone.

The cell phone has become an essential tool for communication and access to information. It allows you to call for help in an emergency, access maps and GPS navigation, and stay connected with loved ones and the world around you. Here are some things you can do to setup your phone for EDC.

Emergency Communication: In an emergency situation, your cell phone can be a lifeline. It allows you to call for help quickly and easily. Whether you need to call 911 or reach out to a friend or family member, your cell phone can be a crucial tool in getting you the help you need. Here are some settings and apps you can setup for emergency communications.

1. Update Emergency Information: If you’re involved in an accident or suffer a medical emergency, you may not be able to communicate with medical professionals. Having up-to-date emergency information stored on your smart phone can ensure that responders have quick access to critical information about your medical history, allergies, and other important details that can help guide their treatment decisions.
2. FEMA App: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app is a vital tool that can help keep individuals and families safe during emergencies. The most important feature of the app is its ability to provide real-time alerts and notifications about emergency situations. Users can customize the app to receive alerts for specific types of emergencies, such as severe weather, floods, or wildfires, as well as updates about the status of ongoing incidents.
3. Red Cross Emergency App:The Red Cross Emergency App is an innovative tool designed to help individuals and families during an emergency. The app provides users with real-time alerts and updates on local weather and emergency situations, as well as important safety tips and resources. The app also includes several emergency response tools that can be used in the event of an emergency. These tools include a flashlight, strobe light, and audible alarm to help users signal for help if they are in distress.
4. Push to Talk App: Push-to-talk (PTT) apps have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the world of mobile communication. These apps allow users to communicate with each other in a way that simulates the experience of using a two-way radio. One of the most popular PTT apps on the market today is Zello. Zello is a free app that is available for both iOS and Android devices. It allows users to communicate with each other using their mobile devices as walkie-talkies. Users simply press a button to speak and release it to listen. The app also has the ability to send text messages, photos, and location information. When text, instant messaging or phone call won’t work try a PTT app. Just make sure the rest of your group or family have the app and it stays running so you can communicated instantly.
5. Wired Headphone and FM Radio App: FM radio on smartphones can provide a wide range of benefits to users, including access to local radio stations without internet or network connectivity, energy-efficient audio playback, and emergency communication capabilities. While not all smartphones support FM radio, those that do can be a great asset to users who value these benefits. In order to use FM radio on these devices, users will need to download a compatible FM radio app from the app store, such as NextRadio. Wired headphones will also be needed as they act as the antennas for the radio.

Access to Information: In addition to emergency communication, your cell phone also gives you access to a wealth of information that can be useful in a variety of situations. You can use your phone to look up directions, check the weather, or find information about a particular topic. This information can help you make better decisions and be more prepared for whatever comes your way. Setting your phone up with these basic apps can help with some situations you might encounter.

1. Kiwix App: Kiwix app allows you to download the entirety or portions of Wikipedia, and many other sites for offline use.
2. Red Cross First Aid App: American Red Cross First Aid App gives short step-by-step advice for common medical emergencies. You can call 911 or locate your nearest hospital directly from the app.
3. Google Translate: Google Translate is a free translation app that has most languages. The app can do basic text-to-text, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text, and can use the camera to translate printed words in the real world. The app can work off line but you will need to have the desired languages downloaded already.
4. Weather App: Smartphone weather apps have become a ubiquitous tool for checking weather updates and forecasts. With a few clicks, you can get access to a wealth of information about the weather conditions in your area and beyond. There are a plethora of weather apps available on the market, each with its own unique features and functionalities. Here are a couple apps I use: Weather Underground and the standard weather app already installed on my phone.
5. Offline Navigation: One of the most useful features of a smartphone is its ability to provide GPS navigation. This can be incredibly helpful if you’re in an unfamiliar area or trying to find your way around a new city. With GPS navigation, you can easily find your way to your destination, even if you don’t have a map. However, cell service and internet can do down so it is wise to keep offline copies of maps so you can still navigate. Here are some popular navigation systems the work offline: Google Maps, Gaia GPS and Cairn.
6. QR Scanner: QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are popular as a way to quickly access information or promotions through a smartphone. QR codes can be found on posters, product packaging, and even on websites. To read a QR code, you need a QR scanner app on your smartphone. QR scanner apps also allow you to create and share your own QR codes. I use QR Scanner app all the time.

Smartphone Security: Smartphone security is a crucial issue in today’s world, as more and more people use smartphones to store personal and sensitive information. With the increase in online transactions and digital payments, the need for secure smartphones has become more important than ever. Here are some tips on how to ensure that your smartphone is secure.

1. Keep your phone updated: Regularly update your phone’s operating system and apps to ensure that you have the latest security patches and features. This will help prevent vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
2. Install anti-virus software: Install anti-virus software on your phone to protect against malware and viruses. There are many free and paid anti-virus apps available on the market, and they can help detect and remove threats before they cause harm to your phone. I have a Bitdefender subscription and it allows me to put the software on all my devices.
3. Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your phone by requiring a second verification method in addition to your password. This can be in the form of a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a code sent to your phone via text message. If two-factor authentication is too much then at a minimum you should lock you screen when not in use and use bio-metrics like a finger print to unlock your phone.
4. Use VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a powerful tool that can help keep your online activities private and secure. When connecting to unknown WiFi networks, doing any online shopping or online banking using a VPN can help protect your information. Want to know more about VPNs check out my post titled “Protecting Your Online Privacy and Security: Who Should Use a VPN and When to Use It“

Bonus

Of course, like any tool, your cell phone is only as useful as the battery life and signal strength allow. It’s important to make sure your phone is charged and has enough battery life to get you through the day. You may also want to consider carrying a portable charger or battery pack as part of your EDC kit.

On-The-Go (OTG) is a feature that allows smartphones and other mobile devices to act as a host and connect with other USB devices such as external hard drives, keyboards, and cameras. OTG is a useful feature that can expand the functionality of your smartphone and make it easier to transfer data, expand storage, and connect USB devices. If your smartphone has OTG support, consider investing in an OTG cable or adapter to take advantage of these benefits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cell phone is a crucial tool in any EDC kit. It provides emergency communication, access to information, navigation, and entertainment. Making sure you have the right apps, phone security in place, full battery and an OTG adapter with you can make your phone more effective EDC device.