I've made emergency preparedness a huge priority in my family lately. With the increase in natural disasters lately (not to mention economic instability), there's a huge need to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. If you haven't seen my previous posts on emergency preparedness, I spent over a year trying various food storage companies before I found the best long-term food storage.
They are great for 72-hr kits because the meals just require water. Here are some other great tips for what to put in a 72-hr kit:
WHAT TO PUT IN A 72-HR KIT
My first tip is to check Amazon's lightning deals in the Outdoor Rec Department and see what todays deals are. I've snagged several good deals by checking that department frequently.
My very first recommended item to have in your home is a Berkey Water Filter, and then some 72-hr kits (tips on what to include in a 72-hr kit is listed below). Why is a Berkey #1 on my list? First, because you can't survive long without water, and second, because they are the world leader when it comes to filtration.
At home with the kids? Instantly access any of these printable activity bundles to keep them learning!
There's a chance you may not experience a major natural disaster, but water contamination happens all the time. Has your city ever issued a public notice to boil your water? In this kind of situation the store shelves are emptied of bottled water in less than an hour. No one wants to drink boiled water, it doesn't taste very good. Berkey's are great for everyday use too, as an in-home water filtration system. This amazing system reduces bacteria, viruses, volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and trihalomethanes to purification standards and lasts thousands of gallons
What to put in a “Basic” 72-Hr Kit
Basic 72-Hr Kit
Food and Water (Our neighborhood did 72-hr kits and one of my neighbors planned out all the food according to how much protein, etc. you need in a day). Here's what it looked like (If you don't like a particular item, just swap it out for something similar):
for water, it's best if you can get these water pouches:
Hygiene bag: (put all these items in a gallon size zip lock bag, almost all of these items can be found at All a Dollar)
Toothbrush, small toothpaste, and floss in plastic carry case (they have these ready cases at All a Dollar and Walmart)
Bar soap in carry case or small bottled hand soap
Mini towel (they also sell these mini compact towels for kids at All a Dollar)
Small mirror (also good for signaling)
Cloth handkerchief (can buy Men's handkerchiefs at Walmart in a pack)
Few safety pins and cotton balls
Nail clipper or file
Lip Balm (Chapstick/Carmex/Blistex)
Small hand sanitizer (they sell 3-packs at All a Dollar)
Small pack of baby wipes
Light Kit
Small Flashlight with extra batteries
100-hour candle or just get a pack of cheap tea light candles at All a Dollar and put a few in the bag
Could also consider a headlamp
General Utility:
Shelter & Sleep:
Clothing:
Bandana (many uses)
Printed Note for individual to add:
Good hiking shoes
2 pairs socks (one summer, one heavy wool)
Zip off cargo pants with lots of pockets
2 pairs underwear
Light jacket (rain outer shell preferred)
Heavy jacket (for winter conditions)
I like to get the big sturdy Hefty Zip bags and put clothing in one, food in another, and supplies in another.
What to put in an advanced 72-Hr Kit
ready for something a little more advanced? Here you go!
General Utility:
Roll of Toilet Paper
Small sewing kit (All a Dollar)
Few heavy duty black garbage bags
Few zip lock bags
Roll of Duct Tape
100 ft. of paracord
Leatherman multi-tool or pocket knife
Mini Ax
Lightweight shovel
Big knife with safety holster
Dust Mask(s)
Super glue (for cuts and bruises, can buy multi-packs of mini ones at Walmart)
Pepper spray
Pen/pencil and small notepad
Map of Idaho and Utah
Few carabineers
Few zip ties
Few twist ties
Compass
Hand crank AM/FM radio
Solar watch
Solar calculator
Whistle
Cash in small bills and coins
Family Items to Add-On:
Mini Scriptures and Hymnbook
1-2 family photo mini books
Photocopies of passport, driver's license, SS#
Shelter & Sleep:
Lightweight tent
Small tarp
Lightweight sleeping bag with compression sack
Lightweight sleeping pad
Cooking Kit:
Large Stainless Steel Kelly Kettle with Hobo Stove
Quality Steel Pot/Pan Kit (doubles as a mess kit)
Basic Gray Lexan Utensils (buy these at Sportsman's)
Small pot scrubber
Can opener (if not one already on pocket knife)
Fire Kit with 4 Ways to Make an Emergency Fire:
Waterproof matches put into this 5-1 whistle
Also consider toilet paper roll filled with dryer lint or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly or Vaseline
Light: (want a few options)
Rechargeable headlamp with extra batteries
Solar flashlight that can charge as you hike
Luminaid solar light (lightweight)
Small flashlight with extra batteries (optional)
Few candles (optional)
BABY NEEDS (to be carried by mom or dad)
Baby front pack carrier
Washable diapers with extra inserts
2 Washcloths (to replace baby wipes)
Burp cloth
Desitin
Baby liquid Tylenol
Medicine dropper
Baby thermometer
Mini face sunscreen
Pedialyte
2-3 binkies with 2 clip holders (so they don't get lost)
2 Toys
Clothing: onesies, footie pajamas, socks, warm hat, few shirts and pants
Any other tips for What to put in a 72-hr kit?
Make sure to check out our emergency preparedness archives for lots of great ideas!
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WhyMeLord says
I would add a weeks worth of RX *AND* copies of the script. (Better if your Doc will give you open ended valid scrip but copies will often work for a weeks supply after a major disaster)). BTDT. This DOES NOT APPLY TO SCHEDULED DRUGS like opioids
Additionally location dictated OTC meds such as aspirin, anti-diarrhea, BENADRYL. Pepto-Bismol, topical lotions for bug bites (some are kid safe others are adults only). Small packets of Sun screen.
Trade goods (a joke but often a life saver), ropes, hand tools like scissors, saws, hammers & shovels. Tarps. HD visqueen (thick plastic that is often used on new mattresses for delivery from the store). A Major first aid kit.
We have a family sized tornado safe room that will accommodate the neighbors (all close friends or they will be after a few hours waiting out a bad wind storm (BTDT) BTW each has a safe box for their personal meds these are refreshed every three months.
Batteries. AAA, AA C&D cells. Solar powered cell phone charger. Date batteries with the SHOULD BE REPLACED date. (not the stale date) We usually replace these at Christmas time and use the ‘old’ batteries in toys etc.
We also keep several days supply of baby food (no babies but you never know when an odd one will show up) these are likewise rotated — unused-unopened are donated to local food bank.
We keep this in our safe room and have a glorified wheeled cart to transport if we have to move.
Deborah says
This is a very good list. Thank you for all the great information.
Jane says
All this for 72 hrs?! Who is gonna carry these massive bags? Why maps of Idaho and Utah? I’m assuming that’s where you live but I could be wrong. My suggestion is pack this/these bags and go for a 3 day hike. Then see what “extras” you are prepared to live without. Do you know how much a whole roll of duct tape weighs after toting it for an hour along with everything else? That’s just one example.