72 Hour Kit

72 Hour Kits

*PRINTABLE 72 Hour Kit Lists HERE

*PRINTABLE Emergency Evacuation Plan HERE

72 hour kits can be very simple (I made one once that fit entirely into a #10 can) or very complex (I knew a lady who’s 72 hour kits took up 10 feet of her garage). I prefer to find some middle ground. Each member of my family has a back pack; we also have an emergency toilet and an emergency kitchen. All of which are packed and ready to go at all times. I figure there will always be something you wish you would have packed as well as there being something that you really didn’t need. That’s okay, we can’t possibly know what type of disaster awaits us but one thing we will be grateful for and that is that we had SOMETHING prepared!

My adult sized backpack look like this:

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Inside it has a 3 day supply of food, 1 1/2 gallons of water, and a bag of treats:

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There are also some emergency essentials, including a first aid kit:

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And some personal care items complete with clothing and personal hygiene products.

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My child size backpacks look like this:

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This pack also includes a 3 day supply of food, 1 gallon of water, and a bag of treats:

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And a few comfort toys:

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My Mom gave everyone she knew a portable emergency toilet for Christmas a few years ago (I know, don’t you wish YOU were her friend?). She called the toilet a “Groover” because of the grove that was sure to appear on your back side after doing your business on a 5 gallon bucket.

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The bucket is complete with latex gloves, paper towels, hand sanitizer, 10 “business” bags, rags, toilet paper and Clorox.

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I used an extra Groover toilet and converted it into a portable emergency Kitchen.

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My emergency kitchen contains Clorox, plastic utensils, latex gloves, rags, plastic storage containers with lids (to be used as dishes), cups, knifes, 8 Kool-aid packets (with sugar), a dog dish and a bag of dog food.

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I also keep a new tarp with my 72 hour kits to be used as a makeshift shelter or ground cover if needed.

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My family’s backpacks, kitchen, Groover, and tarp are all kept in my storage room with a copy of my Payne Family Evacuation Plan taped to the wall above.

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In addition to the items listed above I also have in my personal backpack a large stack of important documents including, insurance numbers, birth certificates, SS #’s, and a CD of family pictures.

The most difficult part of 72 hour preparedness is maintenance. To help with this task I packed clothing a size or two larger in my kids packs than what they currently wear. I also only change out the food about every 2 years. I figure if we are hungry we won’t care if the food is a bit stale.

Following is a list of items your 72 hour kit should contain. I have found many different food options including MRE’s etc, but I like this food plan because it is so simple and it fits into a large ziptop bag. There are also many variations and options for the other things on the list, use your best judgment and add the things that will work best for your family. My pack and my husband’s packs are much larger than my kids. The kids only have food, clothing, and toys to worry about since many of the other items can be shared (this also means the packs weigh much less so the kids can carry them AND it leaves extra space for transporting other items if necessary).

FOOD

Day 1:	Breakfast 1 Hot Cocoa 1 Oatmeal	Lunch 1 Can Soup 1 Drink Mix	Dinner 1 Can Tuna Crackers Granola Bar
Day 2:	1 Hot Cider 1 Oatmeal	Jerky 1 Can of Fruit 1 Drink Mix	1 Can Soup 1 Can Fruit
Day 3:	1 Hot Cocoa 1 Oatmeal	1 Can Tuna Crackers 1 Granola Bar 1 Drink Mix	1 Can Soup 1 Can Fruit

Fruit snacks, hard candy, and gum for every day.

Other Food Items to supplement the Menu (optional):

MRE’s	Dried Fruit	Raisins/nuts	Instant Pudding	Energy Bars
Trail Mix	Canned Meat	Candy Bars	Freeze Dried Meals	Instant Rice/Potatoes

Water

Ideally your 72 hour pack will have 1 gallon of water per day. However, unless you are sure to have access to a vehicle of some sort this isn’t very probable, so most 72 hour kits recommend at least 2 quarts of water per person per day. Survival on such a low amount of water will take some effort. Water should be used ONLY for eating and drinking unless you have another reliable source.

Clothing/Bedding

Blankets/ Sleeping Bags.

Insulation (keeping your body away from the ground): plastic ground cloth, tarp, etc.

One change of clothing: should be warm, easy to work in, and comfortable. Wool clothing is best as it can keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Good shoes, a change of socks and a jacket are a MUST!

Important Documents

Copies of:

Birth Certificates	Passports/ID	Medical Insurance	Car Insurance	Credit Card numbers
Digital Family Photos	Financial Documents	Deeds and Titles	Cash money in small bills

Survival Supplies

Prescription Medication	Flashlight	Garbage Bag	First Aid Kit	Waterproof Matches
Flares	Nylon Rope	Leather Gloves	Toilet Paper	Candles
Whistle	Toothbrush	Toothpaste	Hand Soap	Multi-purpose tool
AM/FM Radio	Water Purification Tablets	Personal Hygiene items	First Aid Book	Fire Starters

Entertainment/Comfort

Books	Balls	Games	Stuffed Animals	Journal
Camera	Coloring Books	Religious resources

Although these lists look long and a bit daunting you can complete your 72 hour kits with one quick trip to the store and a very small storage space. I promise, you will be glad to know you have SOMETHING in case of an emergency!

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