Prudent Prepping: Fighting the Bat Belt

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

I've long fought the temptation to overload myself with gear, both carried on me and collected for various uses. Seriously, I truly hate carrying stuff on my belt, even if it is amazingly useful and potentially life saving gear. It's like those amazing videos people make of 500,000 dominoes laid out in some cavernous space, just waiting to be bumped: there's "just one more item", and then I need to have a bigger, longer, wider belt pouch, and then before you know it I'm Batman with a thick utility belt that's nothing but pouches.

However, I recently discovered a legitimate reason to carry a little bit more gear in a slightly larger belt pouch.

North American Rescue 7 Hook Strap Cutter

https://amzn.to/3cnniL8

From the Amazon ad:

• Saves time – more than 1.5 minutes faster than traditional trauma shears when cutting 2 articles of clothing.
• Extensively tested and widely used by the US military for medical and egress purposes.
• Maintains sharpness for hundreds of cuts (up to 500+ cuts through seatbelt test material).
• 440C cutting surface and opening with varying handles to provide a more compact carry or more leverage
• Includes a MOLLE-compatible carrying sheath, MFG: BENCHMADE

This seems a little small to cause any problems, right? Not if you're trying to squeeze it into an already tight space. I was trying to add it to my Maxpedition PLP belt pouch mentioned here. I couldn't make it fit into the case with the tourniquet, quick clot and compression bandage.
This led me to look up the advice of the person whose setup I copied and a recent comment he made about occasionally using a slightly larger bag. This led me back to Maxpedition and their small bag page, where I found the next bag (dominoes I tell you!) I will be carrying:

Maxpedition E.D.C. Pocket Organizer 

https://tinyurl.com/y3pq39w6

From the Maxpedition page:

"If it's hard to find, it's hard to use. Kill the clutter and keep it together with Maxpedition Pocket Organizers: portable multi-tool managers that can be packed, carried or easily secured to the PALS webbing exterior of your Maxpedition bag. Instantly recognizable by their large front mesh pockets and oversized carry handles, these practical utility packs come in 5 different sizes with multiple solutions to help keep you organized."

Here's the spec of the bags I ordered. (Yes, I did say bags, plural, more than one. Just wait a moment and I'll explain.)

• Full clamshell opening main compartment with dual zips
• Inside left: Slip pocket; key ring; elastic organizer with 9 divisions
• Inside right: Slip pocket; tie-down loop; elastic organizer with 6 divisions
• Front exterior: 2" x 3" loop field for patches; mesh slip pocket with hook-and-loop closure
• Back exterior: Oversized handle; attachment webbing
• MOLLE compatible
• Attach using two (2) 3" TacTie® Attachment Straps (sold separately)
• Main compartment: 5"(L) x 1"(W) x 7"(H)

This particular model is virtually the same length as the existing case but now wider, allowing me to fit the strap/clothing cutter inside. And maybe some other things, if I'm careful to not overload it.

Now, why did I buy two bags you ask? Because Maxpedition is (apparently) closing out this style bag in a Buy One, Get One sale!
Seriously, go and check out the selection of small bags there... you might find something you really need (as opposed to only want)!

Recap And Takeaway

• With careful planning, the ability to carry more necessary and useful items doesn't mean having to carry another belt bag; it can just mean carrying a slightly bigger bag.
• The E.D.C. Pocket Organizer was purchased directly from Maxpedition. 2 bags for the price of one! ($26.99)
• I bought the seriously cool North American Rescue 7 Hook Strap Cutter by Benchmade with MOLLE ready sheath from Amazon for $19.99 with Prime. Unfortunately, this item is now sold out. Sorry! (Editrix's Note: it can currently be bought from the Benchmade store on Amazon for $38 with Prime shipping.)

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Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.