When preparing a 72-hour survival kit, there are many things to consider. Here are some thought starters:
Food and Water: Water is almost always your number-one priority in a 72-hour kit. If it’s not, and you don’t have any or enough, it soon will be. Almost every guide says you need a gallon per day for drinking and hygiene, but that’s 24 pounds of water per person for a three-day supply! If you are likely to not have access to water, especially in hot climates, pay the price and lug the water. If there are water sources nearby, purification may be a better idea. Choose from tablets, filters or sterilizing pens, and tuck your chosen method away in your kit. However, you should have some amount of water ready to go with you, even if a creek runs through your back yard.
As for food, remember you are heading out into a survival situation. You want food that you won’t need to cook, that will keep well, not weigh a ton, and above all, that you and your family will find appetizing to eat. Over the course of a few days, your major need will simply be calories, so don’t feel guilty about not having enough fresh veggies in your diet. It goes without saying that infants would need, well, some baby food.
One of the most important things to remember is to rotate your foods. Every six months or so should be fine. If you forget and go a year it should be edible, but as food gets older, it tends to lose nutritive value and taste. If you include canned foods, don’t forget the can opener.
Shelter: Evaluate what your most likely circumstances will be in an emergency. Are you going to need shelter from truly inclement weather or freezing cold? Then a real tent makes sense to include in your survival kit. Will you need something over your head against the midday rays of the sun or perhaps a few drops from a passing shower? A tarp becomes the best option; it’s light and takes up less room. In some cases, you may not even need a shelter if evacuation is not contemplated.
First Aid: Every prepackaged survival kit on the market includes first aid supplies. Emergencies and injuries go hand in hand, but even more important than having a good first aid kit is knowing how to use it. Training courses, offered by the Red Cross and many other organizations, are reasonably priced, and could save the life of a loved one. You might want to consider taking a wilderness first aid course as a follow up. Once you are trained, you can also go through your first aid kit and customize it to your needs. Finally, don’t forget to rotate a short-term supply of your prescription medications in the kit.
Light: You need a source, take your pick. Flashlights are small and light, and the crank variety doesn’t even need batteries. Lanterns, battery or fuel powered, light up a larger area and the fuel variety provides a minimal source of warmth. Candles are retro, lightsticks fascinate small children. A headlamp leaves both hands free to rig a tent or prepare a meal. Be sure to rotate batteries. Propane or butane cylinders for fuel lanterns have a shelf life of several years.
Here are some additional thoughts to consider when preparing your 72-hour survival kit:
Warmth: In the interest of space, cost and convenience, most kits use a “space blanket” or something similar. If you will be spending time out in really cold weather, you need more. A jacket and/or sleeping bag can provide backup as long as you have the space. Use caution when soring your bag, as storing it too tightly will cause it to lose its insulating qualities. Also, an insulating layer under your bag, like an air mattress or pad, can make you both more comfortable and warm on the cold ground. Many survival kit lists suggest a complete change of clothing for every person, but use discretion. If you have a high tolerance for dirt, you may be fine without it, but young kids might even need two changes. Space is the determining factor, so make your best judgment.
Hygiene: This one is easily overlooked, but it’s essential to your health. Some of your water will need to go for hygiene requirements. Toilet paper is obvious, as are diapers and associated paraphernalia, but don’t forget a bottle or two of hand sanitizer, some liquid soap and wet wipes. The smaller the child, the more of each they may need. Of course appropriate feminine hygiene items should be included as well. While your kids might think that a vacation from tooth brushing is in order, better pack toothbrushes and a travel size tube of paste. While a backpacker’s trowel is helpful for digging latrines, most experts recommend a supply of plastic bags and plastic ties for disposing of waste. Either one would work in a dire situation.
Tools: The only tools you really need in your kit are a multi-function pocket knife and a crescent wrench, which you will absolutely need for turning off the gas lines at the meter. Duct tape is also a useful all-purpose tool. Paul Bunyan types might want a saw or hatchet to pass the time whacking at wood—just make sure the first aid kit is well-stocked.
Assorted doodads: There are so many options for your kit, you should definitely go through as many as possible and decide which of these items you want in your 72-hour survival setup. It’s just that if you put them all in, you may want to add a tube of Ben-Gay to your kit to deal with the arm and back strain. Some of the many suggestions include: Map of the local area, corded phone (cell networks might be down, and if the power is out, your cordless won’t work), solar charger for your cell phone, dust mask, plastic sheeting, pet food, copies of important documents, fire extinguisher, matches and/or butane lighter, reading and writing materials, games or puzzles to keep the kiddies occupied, poncho or other raingear, flares, shovel, battery powered radio, rope, cash in small bills and some coins, leather work gloves, shovel, razor, comb/brush, chemical hand and body warmer packs, whistle, sunscreen, insect repellent, sewing kit/safety pins, portable toilet, utensils, fire starter, potassium iodide tablets for a nuclear emergency, extra pair of glasses, sunglasses, trash bags, hammer, nails, staple gun, bungee cords, disposable camera.