72 Hour Emergency Kits

[Weedygarden]

Ever since Sentry's post about having 15 minutes notice, I have been thinking of all those bags I have packed, and wondering if I have everything packed and ready. Also, a printed list to check off would be good for each person in the family to have if you only had 15 minutes to get ready. Ever take off to go somewhere and forget something? I found a list for an emergency kit and thought I would work from there. (www.PlanForAwesome.com) I changed it up slightly. I copied the list, but there are things I would do a little differently, such as having a set of stainless tableware for each person, and metal or plastic dishes.

I don't see anything about sleeping bags or gear. I would have a good quality one for each person. I would also have a fleece blanket for each person. I have tried wool blankets, but so have the moths.

What about you? What would you add or delete?

Personal Bag
Teeth Stuff
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss ( has a few potential uses)
Mouthwash (they said fluoride, but never for me, I would prefer peroxide)
Hair Stuff
Comb/brush
ponytail holders
bobby pins, barrettes
headbands
dry shampoo
Medicine
Pain medication (tylenol, Ibuprofen, aspirin)
Peptso Bismol
Benadryl
Prescriptions
Disposable washcloths
Mini kleenex pack
Mini lotion
Contact solution and case
Spare glasses
Q-tips
Cotton balls
Mirror
Razor
Nail file
Nail clippers
Chapstick
Tweezers
Deodorant
Roll of toilet paper
Tampons/pads
Pantiliners

There are a few items that I wouldn't want or need. I know that is true for some of you. No contacts.


Clothing Bag
3 underwear minimum
5 pair socks minimum
Pajamas
Jeans
Shirts
Sweatshirt
Beanie (stocking hat)
Gloves for warmth
Hat (cap)
Shoes

Random Bag
List of addresses/phone numbers/safe places (laminated or folded up in a ziploc bag)
Picture of each family member
Copies of ID (license), Social Security Card, Passport, Military ID, etc.
Copy of important information
Checkbook
Cash
Calling card
Maps (city, county staate, fire/forest service, photo)
Mini fan plus batteries
Sewing kit
Safety pins
Scriptures/Hymns
Notebook/pens
paperclips
rubber bands
book
playing cards

Survival Bag
Work gloves
Bandana
Poncho
Foil blanket
Handwarmers and toewarmers
Compass/whistle/mirror/waterproof match holder/fire starter
Pepper Spray
Stormproof matches
lighter
duct tape
super glue
zip ties
twist ties
screwdrivers
scissors
trash bags
tube tent
nails/stakes to secure tent (pack inside tent case)
N95 mask
Pocket knife

Loose items
Water bottle
hand sanitizer
flashlight/batteries
Comfort food
water pouches
tarps

5-Gallon bucket
5 gallon bucket
toilet seeat
toilet paper
sanitation bags
crank flashlight/radio
phone charger(s)
water bottle filtration
wipes
sunscreens
clorox wipes
handsoap
ziploc bags
trash bags
paper towels
50 feet nylon rope
nails/stakes to secure tarps
lantern with batteries
walkie talkies (plus batteries
shovel
barf bags
corded bag

Food Ideas
Water (1 gallon per person per day--water pouches, bottles)
Canned soup
canned tuna
Spaghettios with meatballs
Fruit cocktail
canned peaches
canned corn
MRE's/Mountain House Camping food
Freeze-dried food and snacks
granola bars
beef jerky
fruit snacks
suckers
smarties
gum

Food Accessories
Can opener
disposable pads/placemats
Paper plates and bowls
plastic utensils to cook and eat with
Camping stove
fuel for stove
Foldable stove
canned heat
A pot or pots
Aluminum foil
Dishwashing soap (mini)
Hot pads

 

[Sentry18]

Well I sure as heck would not ad canned tuna!

Not sure calling cards are still viable, I would prefer a disposable cell phone. I also prefer an ASP baton over pepper spray, and of course require a handgun and spare mags.

 

[Weedygarden]

Well I sure as heck would not ad canned tuna!

Not sure calling cards are still viable, I would prefer a disposable cell phone. I also prefer an ASP baton over pepper spray, and of course require a handgun and spare mags.

My thought was that this list was a basis for discussion, and we could add our ideas, just as you have done, to improve the list, and maybe eventually create a pdf of an improved list.

I wondered about the phone calling cards. I have never used them, but used to see them around. I think they may almost be a thing of the past.

Food: I am with you. While I love canned tuna, I haven't purchased any since shortly after Fukishima blew. I would use canned chicken instead, which has become my substitute for tuna since Fukishima. Costco sells canned chicken that I am using and stocking.

There is no peanut butter on the list. Isn't that basic in preps, unless you are allergic to peanuts? I also keep containers of nuts for protein. (cashews, pistachios, peanuts, mixed nuts)

Canned corn? I will add a can of corn to a few soup recipes, but it is not like me to eat corn at a meal.

I have a few Mountain House meals, and plan on getting more, just for my emergency bags.

Water: One of the things that I have thought is that gallon jugs of water would be easier to pack into a car than 5, 6, or 7 gallon jugs. There is a heavier made gallon jug. A couple gallon jugs could be refilled from a larger jug while on the road, easier to use.

Sleeping gear has its own bag for me, including tarp, down bag, sleep pad, sturdier emergency blanket, mini pillow AND fleece blankets. It is all in a duffel bag, ready to go.

Plastic utensils? Not a chance. I keep a few sets of camping tableware, and light weight cooking utensils.

 

[Sentry18]

Plus 72 hour kits are regional. You may need bug spray, or cold weather gear, or tools based on your area. Plus if you add every possible thing you might want or need, your bag will weight 200 lbs. Some you may have to go without some of the items you want, and focus more on need.

Also, in the above list they have some first aid supplies but not an actual first aid kit. I prefer the full kit.

 

[Weedygarden]

Plus 72 hour kits are regional. You may need bug spray, or cold weather gear, or tools based on your area. Plus if you add every possible thing you might want or need, your bag will weight 200 lbs. Some you may have to go without some of the items you want, and focus more on need.

Also, in the above list they have some first aid supplies but not an actual first aid kit. I prefer the full kit.

I agree about the first aid kit.

Many would never be able to carry all of this. That is why you need a bug out vehicle or cart. We can learn from the homeless, or not. Or movies, like The Road. You can actually purchase them for less than $200, but I would personally like to have something a little different. The Mormons moved west with hand carts. That is something to consider making or having.

 

[Bacpacker]

Very good starter list. It is easy enough to adapt to each ones needs. For a cart I would go with one of these. Much easier to use or a paved road and will hold up to heavier weights as well as be able to be pushed/pulled by 2 people. Could even be adapted to attach to a small tractor or 4 wheeler.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/hun...353380/herters-game-cart/1905894.uts?slotId=5
This one will take heavier loads but is more for 1 person.
https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/pro....z_btnclk=YMAL-2539935&WT.z_pg_ref=prd1905894

 

[backlash]

Well I sure as heck would not ad canned tuna!

Not sure calling cards are still viable, I would prefer a disposable cell phone. I also prefer an ASP baton over pepper spray, and of course require a handgun and spare mags.

A phone calling card is pretty much worthless unless you are calling from a landline. I don't remember the last payphone I saw and I disconnected my home phone years ago.

I actually have a shopping cart. I found it in a ditch out in the boonies. It's from a store I never heard of. I thought my wife would use it to move groceries from her van to the house. I thought wrong, she never used it. I bought her a collapsible cart and she uses it all the time

 

[lonewolf]

if I had to carry that list on my back I wouldn't get very far.