Everyday carry is one of the few parts of my life that remains consistent regardless of what life throws at me. Over the last month, however, almost everything surrounding that routine has changed. As many of you already know, I suffered a heart attack in mid-June. Since then, my daily life has become much quieter, with most of my time spent at home and only occasional trips out when necessary.

Before all of this, I was constantly on the move. Whether I was hiking in the woods, meeting friends, trying new restaurants, or spending time fishing, I rarely stayed home for long. Recovery has changed that. With a five-pound lifting restriction, strict instructions to limit physical activity, and an emphasis on avoiding the summer heat, my world has temporarily become much smaller.

Those changes have naturally affected my everyday carry. One of the biggest differences is that I have been carrying a pistol less often. This is not a permanent change or a shift in philosophy. At the moment it simply makes more sense while I recover, especially since I have not been able to train the way I normally would. Once my doctors clear me to resume normal activity, that will return to my standard routine.

My knife, however, has remained a constant. Lately I have been carrying the Microtech Ultratech in red. I have really come to appreciate OTF knives over the past few weeks. The Ultratech is slim, lightweight, easy to carry, and exceptionally convenient for one-handed use. My cutting tasks have mostly been opening Amazon packages and handling other light-duty chores, making it a perfect fit for this stage of recovery.

My flashlight has also changed. Normally I carry a full-size Fenix LD30 because it excels at inspecting industrial equipment during work. Since I have been away from work, that capability simply is not necessary. Instead, I have switched to the much smaller Nitecore MT1C Pro. It is compact, USB-C rechargeable, and more than bright enough for finding something under a recliner, locating a dropped item, or lighting up a dark room. For everyday household use, it has been an outstanding choice.

My wallet has remained the same. I am still carrying my Runbox wallet, although lately it has been used more for doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, and medications than restaurant tabs or outdoor adventures.

My watch deserves an article of its own. Recently I have found myself rotating between three watches: the Tudor Black Bay 58, the Seiko SPB249 ‘Deep Lake’ Alpinist, and the Longines Conquest 38 mm. This recovery period has pushed me further toward the GADA philosophy, and I have noticed that a versatile everyday watch often feels more appropriate than a dedicated dive watch. In a companion article, I’ll compare the SPB249 and the Conquest and explain why my preferences have started to shift.

My pen and notebook have remained unchanged. A Fisher Space Pen and a Field Notes notebook have become surprisingly valuable during recovery, giving me a place to write down questions for doctors, record instructions, and organize the constant flow of medical information.

The final item is simply for enjoyment. I used to carry a Zippo, but after my heart attack I quit smoking after many years. Instead, I now carry a challenge coin: the Anti Apple Watch Club coin from Lume Raiders. Besides being a fun conversation piece, it doubles as a fidget item when my ADHD gets the better of me and has even settled more than one coin flip.

That is my everyday carry heading into July. It is simpler than it has been in years, but it reflects where life currently has me. Hopefully, by the end of the month I will have made more progress through cardiac rehabilitation, returned to work, and started carrying the gear that has been part of my routine for years. Until then, the priority is simple: recover first, then get back to living.